Events: Spark Your Calendars
The Nation's Biggest and Best RV Shows and Rallies Promise a Very Big Year
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Getty
For more than a century, RV owners have been gathering at rallies and meetups to connect with one another. In fact, America’s first camping club—the Tin Can Tourists—organized such gatherings as early as 1919 and continues to do so today. Today’s rallies are an opportunity for like-minded RV owners to connect, learn more about the RVing lifestyle, interact with manufacturers, and meet with some of the most influential brands in the industry. Many of these meetups also offer valuable seminars on vehicle repair and maintenance, adding upgrades, and making the most out of life on the road. If that sounds fun, there are plenty of RV rallies scheduled for 2024. These are some of the best ones to have on your radar.
Florida RV Supershow (Jan. 17-21)
The Florida RV Supershow kicks off the year in grand fashion. Every January, the show welcomes 70,000 guests to the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, where more than 1,500 RVs and 350-plus exhibitors await. The event offers daily seminars, live entertainment, and often substantial discounts on new and used motorhomes and travel trailers. Attendees can even camp onsite, making it easier to see and do as much as possible.
The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show (Jan. 20-28)
Hailed as the “largest gathering of RVers in the world,” the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation, & RV Show draws more than 750,000 attendees on an annual basis. Spread out over 69,000 square feet, the event hosts hundreds of exhibitors representing the biggest brands in the RV industry. Visitors have the opportunity to attend dozens of seminars, check out the latest motorhomes and travel trailers, and connect with other RVers from across the country. Add an array of vendors selling delicious foods, live music, and a vibrant social scene, and it is easy to see why Quartzite is an iconic destination.
Family Motor Coach Association International Convention & RV Expo (March 20-23)
The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) holds one of the biggest and best RV rallies each year, with tens of thousands of people attending. The 2024 convention and expo is the organization’s 107th event and takes place at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona. The expo is open to members and nonmembers alike, with a wide variety of options for those who want to attend. As usual, the FMCA offers seminars on the basics of RV ownership and will even hold an RV driving school.
Escapee’s Escapade (June 16-21 )
The Escapees Club has been holding RV rallies—known as Escapades—for more than 60 years, inviting both members and nonmembers to join in on the fun. This year’s event takes place in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where hundreds of RVers will congregate for five days of seminars, entertainment, camaraderie, and fun. There are even activities designed specifically to keep RV kids occupied, including games, educational courses, and a talent show.
Winnebago Grand National Rally (July 15-18)
For more than 50 years, the Winnebago Grand National Rally has been a staple on the RV calendar. The meetup is a favorite of RVers from across the country, allowing them to connect with this legendary brand at its headquarters in Forest City, Iowa. During the four-day event, attendees mingle with Winnebago employees, soak up educational info at seminars, and enjoy a variety of entertainment options. Factory tours are a popular activity, as is interacting with vendors.
Photo Credit: Getty
FROG International Rally (August 11-17)
This year’s FROG (Forest River Owners Group) International Rally is scheduled to take place in mid-August at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds near Goshen, Indiana. As with other brand-specific events, this one aims to connect owners and fans of Forest River RVs. Highlights of the five-day event include tours of local attractions, a visit to Amish country, RV walkthroughs, live music, informational courses, and onsite vendors.
Grand Design RV National Rally (August 26-29)
The Grand Design RV National Rally is sponsored by Grand Design and brings together owners of the company’s very popular travel trailers and fifth-wheelers. The event takes place at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds in Indiana, where attendees get unprecedented access to GD staff and technicians. This makes it a very popular gathering, allowing owners to ask questions and gain insight directly from the team itself. The well-organized meetup offers the usual line-up activities, including workshops, social outings, live entertainment, and plenty of good food. Tickets for the rally typically go on sale in early April and tend to sell out quickly.
RVing Women National Convention (Aug 31-Sept 7)
RVing Women is an organization dedicated to helping female RV owners learn about the lifestyle in a safe and welcoming manner. Each year, RVW hosts a national convention filled with fun events, educational opportunities, and bonding activities. The 2024 edition takes place in York, Pennsylvania. The event is very newcomer-friendly, and all women RVers are welcome.
Alumapalooza (September 3-8)
Alumapalooza is Airstream’s official rally, taking place at the company’s headquarters in Jackson Center, Ohio, each year. Despite the name and sponsorship, the event is open to anyone who wants to attend, even if they don’t own one of the iconic travel trailers. Attendees spend five days enjoying live entertainment, attending workshops taking factory tours, and connecting with friends old and new.
Hershey: America’s Largest RV Show (September 11-15)
The largest RV show in the country is held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, each year. Over 40 manufacturers are on hand at the event, showing off more than 1,500 motorhomes and travel trailers. This makes it an excellent option for RV buyers looking for a new camper, as there are acres upon acres of models to walk through, and exceptional deals can be had. But even if you’re not looking to buy a new RV, the show has plenty to offer. Brands like Thetford, Dometic, Blue Ox, Roadmaster, and dozens of others are on hand, showing off a range of accessories and add-ons. The expo also hosts experts who hold seminars on RV safety, trip planning, maintenance, and more
Airstream Club International Rally (Oct 5-10)
The famous Airstream Club International will hold its 67th International Rally in Sedalia, Missouri. The event welcomes thousands of fans of the iconic brand, which has been a mainstay in the RV space for decades. Attendees of the rally can participate in an Airstream parade, tour vintage and new trailer models, and interact with various vendors. The expo is kid-friendly, with popular events like ice cream socials, movie nights, games, and other fun activities. Be sure to bring your bike to ride the historic and beautiful Katy Trail.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (October 5-13)
While the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta isn’t an RV-specific event per se, but it draws so many campers each year that it has become a de facto RV rally. Held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Fiesta is the largest hot-air balloon festival in the world. For nine days, attendees celebrate the colorful dirigibles, with dozens of balloons taking to the sky. For RVers, the Fiesta is a chance to connect with others who share the lifestyle, meet with RV brands, stroll through rows of vendors, and enjoy outstanding food. It is also an opportunity to go for a balloon ride and take in the sights from above.
Adventure Van Expo (Various Dates)
As camper vans and van life have grown in popularity, a number of rallies have sprung up to support this style of RVing. Among the more popular of those meetups is the Adventure Van Expo, which takes place across the country at various locations and dates. For 2023, nearly a dozen of these events will be held in destinations like Sonoma, California; Bend, Oregon; and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dates range from the end of April through mid-October.
Expo attendees will learn about camper vans, off-road rigs, overlanding, and camping gear like rooftop tents, equipment racks, and other accessories. They can also meet with professional van builders to get tips and suggestions on how to improve their own vehicles and learn about the best places to explore in their rigs. The event hosts product demos and workshops, live entertainment, food and beverages, and lots of opportunities to build relationships.
Overland Expo (Various Dates)
Overland Expo is a series of events made for adventurous travelers, including off-road RVers, camper van owners, and overlanders. This rally is all about getting off the beaten path and exploring the remote areas of our planet, often far from paved roads and urban environments. Attendees learn how to be self-sufficient while off-grid camping and how best to equip their vehicles to survive in rugged environments.
There are four Overlanding Expos set to take place in 2024, starting with OE West in Flagstaff, Arizona, on May 17-19. Dates for the other three events—including OE PNW in Redmond, Oregon, OE Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado, and OE East in Arrington, Virginia—were not available at press time.
This is just a sampling of the best RV rallies and meetups to have on your schedule for 2024. There are literally dozens of others varying in size from small and intimate all the way up to massive and raucous. Which style appeals to you depends on what you want to get out of the event. Either way, chances are, you won’t be disappointed.
