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Manchester’s most successful Caravan & Motorhome Show ever saw 31,489 visitors attend the show over four days last week (19-22 January), a 42% increase on visitor numbers from last year. Doubled in size and in its new home of EventCity, located alongside The Trafford Centre, The Caravan & Motorhome Show was the biggest ever held in the North West and exhibitors reported record sales, with 70% already confirmed to attend next year.
The largest exhibitor at the show, market leading Swift Group, doubled last year’s sales performance with a record breaking £4million in sales at the show, attributed to a move of venue to EventCity and a string of new model launches.
Brian Laing, Managing Director of Glossop Caravans said the first day of the show was: “The best I’ve seen in more than 30 years of exhibiting at events. We had the best day of sales we’ve ever had for Glossop Caravans. Attendance and sales have been terrific”.
Organised by Clarion Events, the show was supported by The Camping and Caravanning Club and The Caravan Club, and took place alongside ‘Destinations – the Holiday and Travel Show’, for the first time. Day one of The Caravan and Motorhome Show welcomed 8,000 people – well up on the 3,000 who visited on the first day of the show in 2011, and over the four day period, nearly 3,000 visitors took the chance to visit both The Caravan & Motorhome Show from Destinations during their visit.
Sam North, Clarion Show Director said: “We are extremely pleased with the response to our expanded show and new Manchester venue. There is a substantial caravan and motorhome community in the North West and the queues outside the doors before the show even opened was a clear sign there is a real demand for such a show. This was the first time EventCity at the Trafford Centre had held such a major consumer exhibition. We had some small technical event issues initially but these were soon rectified and we are absolutely confident it will make an excellent venue in 2013 – particularly now that the caravan and motorhome community can see it was such a success”.
Andy Orr, Managing Director of EventCity said: “EventCity is delighted to have partnered with Clarion in breaking all records for The Caravan and Motorhome Show. The size and location of EventCity provided the show organisers with the room to expand the event, which helped them to achieve record attendances, record number of exhibitors and record sales. We look forward to working with our friends at Clarion in producing many more successful events”.
Nikki Nichol, Head of Publicity and Industry Relations of The Caravan Club said: “The Caravan Club is delighted to have had a presence at The Caravan and Motorhome Show this year. Moving the event to EventCity has proved to be popular with exhibitors and show visitors alike. To see attendance at these levels is a good indication that this sector of the tourism industry is alive and thriving”.
Jon Dale, PR Manager of The Camping and Caravanning Club said: “It’s extremely encouraging to see so many people happy to find out about caravanning. It’s been a huge success from our perspective with lots of new members”.
Rob Quine, Managing Director of Elddis Caravans said: “This is clearly a positive step forward from the show’s previous location and we’re looking forward to seeing this show evolve”.
Mike Turner of Holgates, who were working with Willerby Holiday Homes at the show said it had been an “excellent show. It’s been really busy and we’ll definitely be back next year. I like the cross over of having Destinations alongside which I think is great for both shows”.
Major Exhibitors at The Caravan & Motorhome Show 2012, Manchester Event City, included
Adria Caravans & Adria Motorhomes – 2012.adria-mobil.com/gb-en
Auto-Trail Motorhomes – www.auto-trail.co.uk
Bailey Caravans & Motorhomes – www.bailey-caravans.co.uk
Burstner Motorhomes – www.buerstner.com/uk.html
Chausson Motorhomes – www.chausson.tm.fr/uk-uk/
Coachman – www.coachman.co.uk
Elddis Caravans & Motorhomes – www.elddis.co.uk
Lunar – www.lunarcaravans.com
Romahome – www.romahome.com
Swift Group – www.swiftleisure.co.uk
The Camping & Caravanning Club – www.thefriendlyclub.co.uk
The Caravan Club – www.caravanclub.co.uk
The NCC – www.nationalcaravan.co.uk
Willerby Holiday Homes – www.willerby.com
Significant New exhibitors for 2012 included
Adria Motorhomes
Bailey Motorhomes
Brownhills Motorhomes
Chausson Motorhomes
Elddis Motorhomes
Eterniti Caravans
Kimberly Caravan Centre Ltd
Lowdham Leisureworld
Marquis Motorhomes
Prestige Leisure Homes
Spinney Motorhomes
The Caravan Club
Timberland Motorhomes Ltd
Volkswagen
Warners Group
Willerby Holiday Homes Ltd