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From YourSITE.com Shows and Gatherings There are three types of gatherings for RVers: Rallies, Caravans, and RV Shows. Each has its own unique features. We recommend you try one or two. There are several good reasons to go even if you are not a "joiner"—I’m not either. A Rally is a planned gathering of a group of RVers, usually with something in common. It may be carefully organized or informal. Rallies take place year 'round. Rallies are a great way to meet other RVers and obtain information about your RV, travel locations, accessories, obtain warranty service, and possibly even out-of-warranty service. Local area tours are often part of the rally and many times pre- or post-rally events are held. Most are offered as part of a club membership. Therefore, a rally hosted by some national organization may have thousands of RVs attending. National clubs often have chapters based on geographical locations. Rallies for chapter meetings are often closer to your home and these rallies may be as small as five to ten RVs and held over a two to three day timeframe. Other rallies are based on the brand name of RVs. Activities are typically planned at the rallies. These range from potluck meals to crafts to seminars. There is lots of socializing, meeting new people, and usually learning something. Caravans are organized tours with a "wagon master" (usually a couple that plan and lead the RV tour). You pay for the caravan and travel together to predetermined destinations with other RVers. Some caravans give you a little flexibility in daily travel times; however, most of the events, dinners, and campsites are planned for the group and you need to be at the destination by a certain time. Some tours use CB-radio communication. All RVs travel together and receive a "traveling" dialogue about the area through which you are driving. If the caravan is scheduled over many days, a "tail gunner" or mobile mechanic will be the last RV and will provide light emergency service if an RV is disabled along the way—or, at least, will know how to get professional help. Some caravans drive a distance, load onto a ferry or a rail flatcar for a period of time, and depart a considerable distance away. You can see many wonderful destinations through the eyes of an experienced tour guide who just happens to share your interest in RVing. RV Shows are events where dealers and product vendors gather to show off their products. You pay an entrance fee, browse through the products, and talk with sales reps. It is a place to see new products (rarely do they show used equipment) and the latest innovations. Whether you are ready to purchase that RV or not, RV shows are a great place to get information. Three shows have a huge attendance… Pamona, CA, Tampa, FL, and Hershey, PA shows. Check the web for their dates. Each is likely to have 40,000 attendees. While fighting the crowd may not be to your liking, you will see lots of new RVs and the latest products at these shows. (This suggestion is one of the more than 500 in All the Stuff You Need to Know About RVing (ISBN 156870514-X) by Ronald Jones info@rvstuff.org and Robert Lowe bob@rv-partsplus.com)
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