The NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show cancelled for second year

The nation’s largest indoor leisure vehicle show, which takes place annually at the NEC every October, has been cancelled for the second year in a row.

The organiser, NCC Events, said it blamed the cancellation on the lack of clarity over the rules for large indoor events and also on concerns that the show may generate even more demand for new leisure vehicles, which may prove ‘untenable for some’ exhibitors to meet.

Last year’s show was cancelled because of the situation around lockdowns and the spread of Covid.

NCC Events said it will now focus on the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, which will take place at the NEC between 21 and 26 February 2022.

“We have taken the decision not to go ahead as planned with the Motorhome and Caravan Show this October and instead to focus on our next show,” it said.

“With only 14 weeks to go until the show, which is one of the largest public events in the country, rules on large, organised indoor events continue to be unclear. We have taken feedback from our exhibitors and, while the industry is seeing a huge demand for touring caravans, campervans and motorhomes from the UK staycation boom, there are many challenges in the supply chain, which make the timing of this year’s show, and the additional demand it would generate, untenable for some.”

It said it has also consulted visitors and found that, although there is a huge appetite for the show, it needed to put their wellbeing and safety first.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly as we are aware that many of our visitors, exhibitors and suppliers were looking forward to being able to get together as an industry and community,” said NCC Events. “But you need not wait that long, as the good news is that NCC Events is increasing the scope of the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show in February.”

It said it has already secured all the major brands for the February show, which will be used to reveal their new 2022 season models.

Those who have a ticket for the cancelled show can transfer it to the February event, to next October’s show or get a refund.

The 2022 October show will take place 18 –23 October.