The Michigan Association of RVs and Campgrounds (MARVAC) has reported an increase in RV sales, RV and camping show attendance and membership recruitment for 2018.
U.S. wholesale RV shipments are currently at 378,718 units for the year; Michigan RV sales were 16,501 in August, the most recent month tally available, reported MARVAC. Sales of towables in Michigan were up 6.6 percent over August 2017 with motorized sales being slightly down at 1,337 sold.
2018 also saw record-breaking attendance at the six RV and camping shows MARVAC produces across Michigan.
“Nearly 48,000 people attended a MARVAC RV and camping show this past year. If the weather had been more cooperative in February, we’d be toping 50,000,” said Darren Ing, executive director of MARVAC, referencing an ice and snowstorm which curtailed attendance to the 52nd Annual Detroit RV & Camping Show in February.
“Our members have taken notice of the attendance in our shows for 2018,” Ing said. “As a result, we are fielding more campgrounds and supplier inquiries about becoming a member and exhibiting at a 2019 show.”
MARVAC also enjoyed a seven percent growth in membership, including an uptick in the number of campground and suppliers joining the organization, according to Ing.
“Much like the industry as a whole, MARVAC members are seeing continued interest in camping and sales,” said Ing. “We are proud to offer opportunities and advantages to our members for their continued success.”
Additional 2018 highlights for MARVAC include:
- Celebrating the passing of the “sales tax on the difference” policy that MARVAC had been advocating on behalf of Michigan RV consumers and RV dealers.
- Partnering with Pure Michigan on the Long Live Summer campaign. MARVAC was one of the top 20 most-clicked links during the summer campaign with a 94 percent click-through-rate garnering more than 6,500 clicks to the MARVAC page.
- Collaborating with the hosts of the popular PBS show Under the Radar Michigan on presentations at two Detroit RV & Camping Shows.
