More than 45,500 people attended September 13-17, 2023
Hershey, Pennsylvania – Beautiful weather and mild temperatures brought out the crowds for America’s Largest RV Show®, September 13-17 at the GIANT Centersm in Hershey, Pennsylvania. A total of 45,535 people attended the 54th annual show, presented by the Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association (PRVCA).
“While attendance was down a bit from last year, it was still strong despite high interest rates and a tough economy,” says Heather Leach, PRVCA executive director. “Beautiful weather for most of the week brought people out to shop for their next RV, accessories and campground destinations. This show is always a great place for consumers to check out the newest products, floor plans and designs and partake in our educational seminars.”
Thirty-five manufacturers showcased more than 1,500 RVs during the five-day public event with dealer and manufacturer representatives on hand to answer consumers’ questions and help them secure a great deal.
Sales were also good for the show’s 179 vendors with everything from RV parts and accessories, cleaning products and personal care items to insurance and financial products.
PRVCA offered seminars to help consumers learn about buying an RV, dry camping, maintenance, safety, solar power, where to travel, and retirement options. Husband and wife duo David “Hutch” Hutchison and Shari Galiardi, known as Freedom in a Can, shared their 11 years of full-time RVing experience in two seminars – RV Solar 101 and RVing to Alaska: Tips and Tales from the Road;. Mike Sokol, RV Electricity, also brought in many consumers to learn about electricity and safety, while Chris Dougherty, Dougherty Consulting, presented seminars on buying an RV, leak maintenance and protection and sewage essentials. Dan and Patti Hunt, for RV Life, presented a session on RV trip planning. Other presentations included retirement tips and RV living, engine and generator maintenance, tire pressure systems, MorRyde towable suspension systems, fire safety, matching trucks to 5th wheels and trailers, RV insurance, and roofing materials.
The show featured its biggest RV giveaway ever thanks to Cortes Campers and Liberty RV of Gettysburg. They gave away a 2024 Cortes 16 camper worth more than $45,000. Jennifer Schiavone-Blake of Havre de Grace, Maryland is the winner.
The show also featured a scavenger hunt where attendees downloaded the America’s Largest RV Show® app and scanned QR codes located throughout the show at sponsor displays. Battleborn Batteries, Escapees RV Club and Dometic sponsored the scavenger hunt. All participants, who finished the hunt, received a chocolate bar and entered into a prize drawing for a Battle Born Battery or an Escapees RV Club and RVers Online University membership or a Dometic Patrol 20 cooler or a $50 Visa gift card.
PRVCA thanks the 2023 Hershey America’s Largest RV Show® sponsors Cortes Campers and Liberty RV of Gettysburg, RV Giveaway Sponsors, American Coach, Battle Born Batteries, Fleetwood RV, Holiday Rambler, Meyer’s RV, Progressive and The RV Shop, platinum sponsors. Alliance, Camping Tools, General RV Center, Jayco, Newmar and Thetford/Norcold, Gold Sponsors. Beckley’s RVs, Ember RV, Mobile Must Have and NorthernLite, silver sponsors and Cricket Mini Golf Carts, Escapees RV Club, Roadtrek and Wilkins RV, bronze sponsors. Grand Design and Meyer’s RV Superstores sponsored the bag giveaway. American Coach, Fleetwood RV and Holiday Rambler, golf cart taxi sponsors; and Dometic, outdoor seating sponsor.
Mark your calendar for the 55th Annual America’s Largest RV Show, which is set for September 11-15, 2024 at the GIANT Centersm in Hershey, Pa. Visit largestRVshow.com and the show Facebook and Instagram channels for the most up-to-date information about the show.