Another caravan show cancelled

Yet another Australian RV and outdoor show has been cancelled, with Caravan Industry Victoria announcing that the Border Caravan & Camping Expo, which was scheduled to run August 21-23 at Victoria's Wodonga Racecourse, will not be run in 2020.

In a message posted on social media, the CIV said it was "with a heavy heart" that the popular rural show, first held in 2011, will not go ahead as planned.

"We have been monitoring the current circumstances, and changes to State Government restrictions, and with a heavy heart, our Executive made the decision to cancel the 2020 Border Caravan & Camping Expo," the CIV said.

"This year would have been the 10th year of the show, held at the Wodonga & District Turf Club, however it is important to put the health and safety of our customers, exhibitors and staff first, and ensure we follow the direction of the Government during this time."

The CIV's biggest event, the Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow held annually in late-February, was one of the last major events run in Australia before COVID-19 social distancing restrictions were put in place in March.

The CIV is yet to announce whether its two Leisurefest shows -- in Melbourne in early October and Bendigo in late-November -- will go ahead as scheduled.

COVID-19 restrictions have had a major impact on the 2020 RV and outdoor lifestyle show calendar, with many of the 50-odd RV-related annual shows around Australia either cancelled or postponed, including the major Brisbane and Sydney Caravan Supershows.

To make up for the shortfall in physical caravan shows this year, caravancampingsales is hosting its first-ever Great Outdoors Online Expo from July 1-22.

Kicking off tomorrow, the virtual RV show will feature more than 50 dealers around Australia offering show special-like deals on a wide range of brand new and plate-clearance RVs.