Melbourne Supershow gets bigger

The Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow due to be staged at the Melbourne Showgrounds from February 24 to 29 will be larger than ever, according to the CEO of the Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIAV) Rob Lucas.

Lucas said due to “greater demand” from exhibitors, overall display space will increase by around 10 per cent compared to last year, to approximately 65,000 square metres. More than 500 exhibitors are expected to be signed up by February, about the same number as last year’s show.

“We’ve had greater demand from exhibitors at this show (so) we’ve added around 5-6000 square metres, so it’s grown again,” he said. “I think now based on size we’re the biggest (caravan and camping) show in Australia.”

Lucas also hinted that ‘foreign’ brands including the Chinese-owned but Australian-built Regent Caravans, could also make a return to the Victorian Supershow, after the Campbellfield, Victoria-based manufacturer was recently allowed to re-join the CIAV as a ‘probationary’ member.

“There have been a number of people who have sought to come into our show in the past and we haven’t had the space, and I understand there are some allocations going out to them at the moment so I can’t give you their names,” he said.

“Exhibitor enthusiasm is huge with many more wanting more space or exhibiting for the first time,” Lucas said. “I do know we’ll be having a product launch at the Melbourne show and at least four or five have indicated they will be releasing brand new caravans into the market at the show.”

Bailey Australia was set to unveil both single and double slide out models of its new locally-built Rangefinder caravans but Caravancampingsales understands that the release of the lounge-slide Comet and lounge and bedroom slide Lunar models has now been delayed until the NSW Caravan, Camping, RV & Holiday Supershow at Rosehill Racecourse from April 9-17.

A number of new visitor attractions have also been added for 2016 including a new cooking stage and the Tourism NT Waterhole, described as “a relaxing spot to enjoy some good tucker and experience a taste of outback life”.

Lucas said a revamped Victorian Supershow website will be launched soon, including more information than before.

To add to its growing status as Australia’s premier RV event, plans are also underway to introduce a Trade Day, for official industry and media representatives, to the 2017 Victorian Caravan Supershow.

Lucas said the inspiration was Germany’s world-class Caravan Salon, and it would be a good way to attract international visitors to the show.

“By and large it’s meant to be a day where trade from all over Australia can come to Melbourne, we can get some international guests to come along and talk about trade, and latest accessories could be launched,” he said.