What you've described seems to be pretty typical, at least for the one's I've been too. Mostly, the advantage of the "show" is to attract new customers, or first time potential RV owners. It gives the average Joe an opportunity to compare different brands of campers all at the same time without having to run to a dozen different dealers. And the salesmen are right there where you can ask questions, run to the next salesman, ask the same question, and run back to the first and compare notes. That's the advantage.
Yes, the various dealers usually display the fanciest with the most gadgets and gizmos, and then a few select entry camping units, --- pop-up's, A-Frames, Tear Drops.
As one RV dealership told me when we bought our first RV, a pop-up, he said, they just LOVE to sell pop-ups and do their best to match a good pop-up with the customer and their needs, because they know the chances are VERY high they'll be back within 2 years to purchase a bigger camper. And, pretty much, that's true.
Then they display the higher end, motorhomes, Class C's, etc, as a way to show you what those new customers will eventually reach for. It's all marketing, and very carefully planned and strategized. A seasoned RV veteran will be able to read through all of this, and mostly just enjoy looked at the latest and greatest and try to get new ideas how to make their own camper better without having to purchase another new one.
It's kind of funny watching customers and salesmen at RV shows. Salesman love talking and blowing off to new customers. Seasoned veterans have too many "specific" questions, and will raise questions about too many issues with campers and RV's, and salesmen will try to detour them away. (I've seen this happen and even had it happen to me). They also can spot a serious customer and someone who is there just doing a lookie-lookie for fun.
But, in spite of it all, they do sell campers at those shows, otherwise they wouldn't do it. It costs a lot to transport all those campers, pay for "booth space" and pay those salesmen to be there. So, it might look like a disorganized zoo to you, it's really not. It's an organized science to them.
I haven't been to a show in about 3 years now, but planning on going to the one in Indianapolis in February.
Don't walk away too disappointed though! When you think about it, I bet you had a pretty good time there.
(Sorry, I don't know about any other shows in your area). Oh, one more positive thing about shows opposed to going to the dealer.... if you go to the dealer, you're going to be looking a those new campers in the cold ... mostly outside, and in the Northern States, well ... it's just plain cold right now! The show is inside a heated building ... so much more enjoyable! I tell you, there's nothing fun about looking at a camper when it's 15 degrees outside and there's no heat on anywhere! No fun at all!
Another thing about the "strategy? Do you notice they do these shows in the Winter months and very seldom in the Summer months? Why is that? It more than just showing off the new season line-up of merchandise. They know people get winter blahs and want to do something to get out of the house. Create a fun environment, and folks will come. Seasoned veteran camper owners will go because they get the "camping itch" so bad, (we'll) do just about anything to do anything RV related! The timing is right, the venue is right, and the marketing is right. Yes, every bit of it is a work of art! Really!
