Victorian Supershow goes digital
New five-day virtual trade show opens electronic doors in early-SeptemberWith hopes fading of being able to run another trade caravan show in Victoria in 2020, Caravan Industry Victoria is heading online and will hold its first virtual caravan show in early September.
Running for five days from September 2-6, the Victorian Caravan & Camping Virtual Show is being promoted as a "one stop virtual shop" and is expected to feature more than 100 exhibitors including RV manufacturers and dealers, accessory suppliers, tourism bodies and caravan parks.
Visitors will be able to enter a virtual exhibition hall as well as an online chat room that can connect them directly with the people selling the RVs. There will also be an 'auditorium' featuring product and tourism video presentations.
The Victorian Caravan & Camping Virtual Show will also allow punters to talk, text and video chat with exhibitors and arrange to either visit a dealer, organise a demonstration or even lock in a purchase. Entry is free but showgoers will need to pre-register online.
CIV CEO Rob Lucas said that the virtual caravan show would be similar in format to the Melbourne Virtual Boat and Fishing Show, which ran July 24-26. However, rather than webinars from high-profile media personalities, he said industry members will be the 'heroes' and invited to present pre-recorded information sessions.
Lucas said each exhibitor will also be required to have a 'show special' of some sort, while a 'Passport to Freedom' style competition will see prizes handed out to punters who generate the most points via interactions with exhibitors.
Lucas is hoping the easy accessibility of the virtual show format will attract people who might not normally attend a trade show.
"There are always people who don't want to come to caravan shows... as much as we think they are fantastic," he said. "I think the virtual show that we're doing has real potential to open us up to a new audience."
After successfully running the Victorian Caravan Supershow in February, the CIV was forced to cancel next month's Border Caravan & Camping Expo and is currently considering postponing its annual Melbourne Leisurefest event, scheduled for early October.
"We are working very hard with the Victorian Government to get some clarification about whether caravan shows can run in the second half of the year," he said.
COVID-19 restrictions have seen a steep rise in online caravan show-style events in recent months, from interactive webinars conducted by individual manufacturers, to full-scale experiences complete with 'show-special' bargains like the inaugural caravancampingsales' Great Outdoors Online Expo.
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