Standard of Covi SuperShow stands high

The high standard of exhibitor stands at this year’s Covi SuperShow meant choosing winners was tough.

Judged by Carmel Jones of Fuelled by Design, it was clear most exhibitors had put a large amount of thought and efforts into their stands with Jones saying how impressed she was.

“I was really impressed with the level of work that had gone into the show by the organisers and exhibitors alike,” she said.  “It is always nice to be at a show where people are always particularly friendly, with lots of smiling faces and lovely sales staff, it was so refreshing.”

Jones said she need to ‘give everyone five Stars for lighting’ this year, stressing she could not fault the entire show on that point.

The large 130 square metre and above stand winner was TrailLite which Jones said was a very well designed and thought out area. 

The layout was divided into individual areas with some themed with outdoor appropriate props that gave the stand an extra outdoor feel. Jones said the boundaries of the stand were defined and the lighting was perfect.

“There was a good use of plants as natural dividers and a good selection of natives,” she said. “The reception area, rest areas and hospitality area was well balanced with the product areas. All these areas flowed well into each other. The signs and images were well done and had a nice design aesthetic.”

She added that the staff look was very professional and were easily approachable even though they were very busy and really reflected TrailLite’s reputation as New Zealand’s premier motorhome builder.

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association won the medium 50 to 130 square metre best stand award with Jones saying it had well defined areas inside its perimeters.

“The graphics were very good and the use and placement of props were perfect,” she said.

The small stand winner was the Top 10 Holiday Park Group which Jones said was a great example of ‘a bright stand with high impact.’

“It had a simple clean look and had a good use of colours which directly related to the branding. The lighting was perfect and the sales staff were well presented, friendly and very helpful. Overall it was a great little punchy stand achieved on a small budget.”

Although there was no award for the outside areas Jones and Covi SuperShow General Manager David Culpan said there was such a good standard outside that an outdoor stand award would be considered for next year’s show.

The big bach at the front and then the green AstroTurf path that bought visitors further into the Silverdale RV Centre area was a great example of what could be achieved outside. Jones said it was good flowing use of space and hoped more outdoor exhibitors would follow this format in the future as it worked well in the allocated space.

She also noted that the Lilliputt Caravan Club created ‘a beautiful outdoor space’ for a trip down memory lane. “It was a good use of props and nicely put together.”

The Covi SuperShow, held in Auckland last week, experienced a twenty one percent increase in the number of visitors with over 18,000 people coming through the gates to see what was the largest motorhome and caravan exhibition ever staged in New Zealand.

Exhibitors experienced a huge increase in sales, with early indications showing that there were over 150 motorhomes and caravans sold over the duration of the show.