RV show revving up in Halifax

The largest RV show in Atlantic Canada is back in Halifax this month.

The Halifax RV Show, in its 19th iteration, features 2019 RV models from 10 different dealers under one roof.

“This has been going for a long time. We need every square inch of the Halifax Exhibition Centre to do this each year,” said Moira Pellerine, marketing & operations manager of Master Promotions Ltd., the company behind the event.

“We actually could use a bigger building, and we'd be able to accommodate that also. We love seeing the centre full of RVs.”

The show began in 1999, and boasted a record number of visitors last year. 

“The RV market is going up. It was previously a hobby for a more mature demographic, but now young families are getting involved,” she said.

“It's always growing, and we have contests also that put those who purchase RVs at the show in a draw that can win them $10,000.”

Last year, there were 142 units sold during the show weekend, a record for the event.

“We have hopes to beat even that this coming weekend,” said Pellerine. “This is a really fantastic event for the area.”

Master Promotions does this event in conjunction with non-profit Atlantic RV Dealers Association, and they produce it each year.

“We do the advertising, and the for-profit event allows dealers to staff the event and try to get their products out there,” she said.

“It's quite an adventure for the 10 dealers, who bring in the staffing, marketing, accounting people. It's a committed group that makes this work.”

Pellerine says it's a great event that brings people from the province together.

“Though Halifax has the largest amount of people coming, everyone in Nova Scotia takes advantage. RVs are becoming more popular and demographics who enjoy them are shifting,” she said.

“People take weekend trips without worrying about hotels. They can get outside the city, get to a campground and enjoy themselves.”

They will also have tech sessions for people to enjoy at the event, as well as their third annual washer toss tournament.

“The tech sessions will touch on trends in the industry, towing capacity, maintenance and other information for buyers and eventgoers,” she said.

“We started the sessions last year and had two. This year we have four, and they're very well attended.”

This January event allows dealers the time to deliver models to their clients by April, just in time for summer.

“This is such a great event. All we want is to keep seeing it grow, and we would love to get a new building to make a bigger show,” she said.

“Dealers are happy, we're happy, and if we continue this success we will stay happy.”

The event takes place from Jan. 24 to 27, at the Halifax Exhibition Centre. A day pass is $10, a full event pass is $15, and kids under 18 are free.

Also, this year there will be $5 admission after 5 p.m. every night.