NEC Show - what to expect?

PaulC70

PaulC70

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So, I've never been and am going on the Wednesday, according to the site theres gonna be 300 exhibitors etc but to be honest I don't know what to expect at all?
I can't think of anything I actually want and Im just curious more than anything.
i have noted from a few facebook groups that the number one tip seems to be bring a picnic as the food hall is manic lol, oh and good walking shoes!

Anyone else got any tips or think of anything they bought that they didnt expect to?
 
AndyB57 said:
Yes - we went a few years ago for some awning pegs. Came back with a new van on order. Be careful!
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To be fair my vans not even a year old and i really love it so cant imagine changing it out lol.
 
We were hoping to go too, after it being cancelled last year but it had to be on on the week we are moving house typical!! Still tempted but had the bad news last week too that our new MH has been delayed from April to August so still deciding whether to bother, will be last minute decision!
Wondering if it was worth it too so be interested to see what replies you get!

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Be patient when arriving at the NEC, follow the signs for the show and relax if the queue next to you is moving quicker. Take a note or a photo of where you are parked, the car parks are fine but not unknown to mix up which one you are in. If there is a queue for the bus, they move very quickly, alternatively, not a bad walk. The food in the halls is expensive and standard mass catering, you can get in and out of the show, usual hand stamp, if you need to sit in the atrium area to consider that new van purchase.

If driving from the South on the M42, watch the overhead signs when you pass junction 5, they will probably be using the hard shoulder as a running lane for junction 6.
 
PaulC70 said:
So, I've never been and am going on the Wednesday, according to the site theres gonna be 300 exhibitors etc but to be honest I don't know what to expect at all?
I can't think of anything I actually want and Im just curious more than anything.
i have noted from a few facebook groups that the number one tip seems to be bring a picnic as the food hall is manic lol, oh and good walking shoes!

Anyone else got any tips or think of anything they bought that they didnt expect to?
Click to expand...
The Feburary show I think of as a bit like the Ideal Home Show for Camping. Lots of things to see that do not involve people trying to persuade you to buy a new Caravan or Motorhome (that is more the October show, although obviously still van sellers there in Feb).

I was looking forward to going but my campsite is waterlogged and reservation cancelled, so not going to now :(
(which means got a ticket spare for the Friday ;) )
 
On a dry day, we leave the show after a couple of hours, get the hand stamped, and go back to the van (either walk or bus it) and have a coffee and something to eat, then go back into the show. Makes a good break to clear you head. The last show in 2019, we had made an agreement between ourselves the night before, that we were definately not changing the van. We then promptly ignored our own agreement and left for our dinner time break clutching a new van order😉🤣🤣🤣👍
We have just ordered a new van last week, from Consort, who are not at the show, but are still going next Tuesday, as it’s a good day out, and nice to see what changes have been happening.
But yes, definately take your own food and drink👍
 
It's got a bit of everything from the folding trailer camper to monster motorhome with room in the boot for a large car. Plenty of stalls selling all sorts of camping stuff. Camping site booths, Truma stand and plenty of eating places but pricey. I used to represent the Conway Owners Club which was placed next to the Pennine Group which bought Conway out in a management takeover and had to change name.
There used to be a guest show at certain times don't know if that is still on.
A good and maybe a great day out - enjoy.
 
thanks all, sounds like it's going to be quite a day! Really looking forward to it now. Didn't think there would be many motorhome exibitors but looks like there's gonna be quite a few.

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I'm sure that you'll love it - we've been several times over the year's, always a good show, and it's nice not only to look at the van's but also the accessories too, awnings, chairs, fridges etc etc.
And the caravan clubs are there too and we normally pick up the European travel books from them whilst there.
For food, we've never had a problem, there's a wetherspoons on site and we'll normally have a breakfast there then make our way to the show for 15minutes after opening when the queue has died down, and there's plenty of (expensive) places inside for a cuppa & sandwich
The free shuttle bus service is fantastic too
 
My tip is IF you want to see gadgets and gizmos and accessories then they tend to be in one hall. Make your way there first or you can get distracted by lots of other stuff as you meander along.
 
We went to the February show in 2015. Came home with a Range Rover Sport which was for sale and belonged to a director of a Caravan & Motorhome exhibitor.

Only went for a Cadac.
 
pity it seems sold out for all the days
 
Ziggy123 said:
We were hoping to go too, after it being cancelled last year but it had to be on on the week we are moving house typical!! Still tempted but had the bad news last week too that our new MH has been delayed from April to August so still deciding whether to bother, will be last minute decision!
Wondering if it was worth it too so be interested to see what replies you get!
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Same here. No point going now as ours delayed until October and not got any real confidence it will be then
 
PaulC70 said:
thanks all, sounds like it's going to be quite a day! Really looking forward to it now. Didn't think there would be many motorhome exibitors but looks like there's gonna be quite a few.
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wear your trainers, if your in and out of vans, good work out :roflmto: take a back pack with you, snacks, bottled water, get your bearings when you arrive, I was on crutches last time it was ln, so was a bit of a haul, but loved being able to see the layouts , let us know how you get on, was hoping quest screen house were going to have the higher attachment version ready for veiwing, but as Wombles, had mentioned, sadly not yet :X3: but
enjoy your day.
 
The Feb show will be a mix of caravans, motorhomes, tents and stuff general camping, and not even camping. Lots of the more gadget type things will be scattered around the hall edges.

Be aware, if you are tempted to buy motorhomes or such like, the manufacturer branded stands are usually staffed by dealers. If you get talking to someone do think about which part of the country they may hail from if you need to get back and forth for aftersales (speaks the bloke who lives in Surrey and to get to the Northern dealer almost needs a passport).

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Bobby-gg said:
but also the accessories too, awnings, chairs, fridges etc etc.
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That is primarily what we are going for. The big question is do they have things available to buy and take away there and then (not sure how to get them in the car though), or is it order for later (but hopefully not too late) delivery?
 
KD said:
That is primarily what we are going for. The big question is do they have things available to buy and take away there and then (not sure how to get them in the car though), or is it order for later (but hopefully not too late) delivery?
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Yes, and normally have "show" deals available too.

They normally also have a couple of "camping supermarket stalls" which sell almost anything you think you need, and loads of gear you never knew existed but now need 😂

Of course, this year might be completely different!
 
I have been going to both NEC shows twice a year since 2007 (COVID cancellations apart) and am like a kid in a candy store. All in all a great day out although tiring.
 
Slightly off-topic but not fully.... Due to circumstances beyond control, I will not be able to go to the Feb NEC show. I am thinking of making a trip down to the Warner's (?) Yorkshire Motorhome Show in Harrogate in March though. How does that compare to the NEC show (obviously a lot smaller, goes without saying, but that aside).
The only Motorhome show I have been to apart from NEC was the Scottish Motorhome Show at the SECC in Feb (but that was cancelled yet again this year) and that was ok (except way overpriced parking and tickets).
 
KD said:
That is primarily what we are going for. The big question is do they have things available to buy and take away there and then (not sure how to get them in the car though), or is it order for later (but hopefully not too late) delivery?
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If you go on the last day, you may be able to get some good take-it-away deals where the exhibitors will knock off more money to save them having to pack stuff away and cart it back with them :)

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Hoovie said:
Slightly off-topic but not fully.... Due to circumstances beyond control, I will not be able to go to the Feb NEC show. I am thinking of making a trip down to the Warner's (?) Yorkshire Motorhome Show in Harrogate in March though. How does that compare to the NEC show (obviously a lot smaller, goes without saying, but that aside).
The only Motorhome show I have been to apart from NEC was the Scottish Motorhome Show at the SECC in Feb (but that was cancelled yet again this year) and that was ok (except way overpriced parking and tickets).
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We normally go to this show too as it's fairly local, it's totally different from the NEC in so far there's normally loads of dealers with second hand vans to view outside (locked once sold!) and new vans inside with only a few accessories stalls
 
If it's persisting down so you have to wear coats etc, you CAN leave them at the cloakrooms, for a small fee, which saves carting them around the show.
I always wear comfy shoes as I usually walk from the car park to the halls, plus around the show. I also take a 'roller case' or backpack (depending on what I think I may buy/have to haul back), my own lunch/snacks and a sports bottle full of water. Food and drink at the NEC is expensive and the queues are often long.
I always aim to arrive at least 30-60 minutes before the show opens (can have breakfast in the van on arrival!) and leave at least an hour before the show closes to avoid getting caught up in lengthy queues on the NEC site. Oh, and I ALWAYS take a photo of the number of the car park I'm parked in. Ever since I was once on a bus at the NEC hearing about two unfortunate people who'd forgotten where their car was and had a VERY long evening finding it. And, since some idiot drove into the back of my van in an NEC car park despite there being loads of spaces all around, I always park the van on the edges of the car parks, looking for spaces which minimise the risk of car parking damage by people who are distracted - or who just can't park...
 
Bobby-gg said:
We normally go to this show too as it's fairly local, it's totally different from the NEC in so far there's normally loads of dealers with second hand vans to view outside (locked once sold!) and new vans inside with only a few accessories stalls
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So if not looking for a van to buy or nose around, maybe not worth making a special trip for? (I like the NEC Feb show mainly for all the accessory and gadget stands).
 

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