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U.S.-Canadian Exchange Rate: Big Draw in Edmonton

Draw in Edmonton
RV Business

As the annual RV show and sale gets set to roll into Edmonton, organizers say that a healthy Canadian dollar will give visitors access to great deals on recreation vehicles.

“I think the biggest thing that people will get an opportunity to see is the influence of the strong Canadian dollar,” said Ross Hodgins, chairperson of the 27th annual Edmonton RV Exposition and Sale at Northlands AgriCom and Sportex, in promoting his Feb. 7-10 show. “The average price (on RVs at the show) has definitely dropped … There’s definitely an improvement over last year.”

Consumer savings will be “fantastic,” Hodgins told freelance writer Jane Cardillo in an autos.canada.com posting.

“There’s more of a proliferation of American-built products because of that exchange rate,” he added. “The proliferation of inventory in the Edmonton market is insane. I would suggest there are probably some tremendous values, tremendous deals out there.”

Bill Burnett, of Trailblazer RV Centre, said consumers will get more for their money. “We’ll have a 32-foot bunk-model travel trailer that’s going to be around the $22,000 range,” Burnett noted. “A few years ago that was probably closer to $28,000.”

ArrKann Trailer and RV Centre promises much the same.

“Last year we thought we had good prices,” said Ken Friedenberg, whose dealership will have a full range of towable units at the show, from fold-down tent trailers to big holiday trailers. “This year they’re even better. It’s the best I’ve ever offered.”

A total of 16 dealers displaying hundreds of RVs — including tent trailers, lightweights and luxury coaches — will fill all the halls at the Agricom and spill over into the Sportex during the show produced by the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Alberta.

For the first time, a shuttle service is set to ferry visitors from the parking lot to the main entrance. “We’re going to have a roving shuttle for consumers,” said Hodgins.

Another show first is an opening VIP night on Feb. 7 on which dealerships will invite certain individuals for free. “There’ll be some different things happening (on VIP night) at different dealers’ booths,” noted Hodgins. “Some are electing to offer free food, some are electing to have different entertainment.”

The popularity of the Edmonton exposition and sale grows annually, said Tamara Schadeck, the association’s acting show manager. Last year, 24,000 people visited the show. Organizers hope to boost that number to more than 26,000 this year.