Six Red Deer dealerships will team up to host the "Biggest Little RV Show on Earth" this week.
Woody's RV World, Vellner Leisure Products, Rangeland RV and Trailer Sales, Fraserway RV, Allan Dale RVs and Trailers, and ArrKann Trailer and RV are presenting the annual Red Deer RV Show from Thursday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 23 at Westerner Park.
"This show is largely a new RV showcase. ... We're showing off what's new and exciting in the industry," said Mitch Vellner, president of Vellner Leisure Products.
"This sets the tone for the entire year for all of the dealerships. This is a really big show for us and tells us what to expect for the upcoming season. We start to build our contacts for the year at this event."
The Red Deer RV Show is described as a place for all things camping, RV travel and outdoor activities. The participating RV dealers sell different lines and types of RVs, including trailers, fifth-wheels and motor homes, as well as tools and gadgets. There is also a range of other vendors at the show.
Vellner estimated the Red Deer RV Show has been running for more than 30 years now.
"A long time ago, my father pulled local dealers together and said, 'Calgary and Edmonton RV dealerships are putting on these big shows. Why don't we do something like that?' Everyone was very co-operative and everyone pitched in as a group to share marketing dollars and resources to make it happen. It's just continued that way ever since," said Vellner.
"Sometime in the late fall or early winter, all of the (participating) dealerships get together for a meeting. We discuss what we'd like to do as a group and then if everybody agrees to keep doing a collaborative show, we book out space at Westerner Park, assign jobs for people at each dealership and come together to put on the show."
The show will be held in Exhibition Hall, as well as the Parkland, Prairie and Neeralta Pavilions. The doors will be open from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23.
For more information, visit www.reddeerrvshow.com.
