There will be two rival indoor caravan and motorhome shows vying for visitors in February next year – one in Birmingham and one in London – as major exhibition organisers go head-to-head.
A new, National Caravan Council-backed event – the NCC Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show – will run from February 14-19, 2012 at London’s ExCeL Exhibition Centre. However, Ocean Media, which is the organiser of the Boat & Caravan show that last month celebrated its 50th anniversary, has joined forces with the Camping and Caravanning Club to continue to run the event at Birmingham’s NEC. It will take place from February 21-26, 2012.
Both organisers report strong advance sales of stand space to big-name brands, but it’s unlikely that most will be present at both shows.
The Excel show, run by NCC Events, is supported by key caravan and motorhome manufacturers, including Autocruise, Auto-Trail, Bailey, Elddis, Lunar, Swift and Trigano.
In addition, NCC Events reports that a number of leading dealers – including the Marquis Group, Lowdhams and Broad Lane Leisure – will be there, and will only support shows at the ExCeL Centre and the NEC, Birmingham, which are organised by NCC Events.
Remember, NCC Events launched an industry-backed show to be held at ExCeL in October, then cancelled it when the organiser of the annual International Caravan and Motorhome Show at the Birmingham NEC agreed to step away. As a result, NCC Events took over the tenancy of the October Birmingham NEC show.
The Caravan Club has pledged its support for the ExCeL show. Nick Lomas, Director General of The Caravan Club said: ‘There has long been a need for a southern show and it is good to see the industry supporting the southern-based caravanners with a show at a top venue’.
Spokesman Matthew Eastlake for rival membership organisation, the Camping and Caravanning Club, said of its support for the Birmingham NEC show in February:
“The Boat & Caravan Show, together with the new Outdoor Leisure Show, promotes outdoor pursuits at a time when many people are considering their choice of holidays, such as walking, cycling or sailing. The Camping and Caravanning Club is the natural partner for the largest outdoor leisure show in the UK, as it offers something for everyone, from families looking towards their first camping adventure, to the seasoned caravanner who might be looking to tour Europe or further afield.”
We’ll continue to report on developments between the two rival shows as they emerge.