ELKHART — The first attempt at hosting the Midwest RV Super Show turned out well for both the show and the RV/MH Hall of Fame.

People from all over came to the event, which saw an increase in both attendance and inventory over last year’s show.

Mark Bowersox, director of the Super Show, related the increase in quantity to an increase in demand. He believed those increases were indicative of where the industry stands.

“Right now, the year’s been real good,” added Don McAfee, sales representative for Elkhart RV Center. As McAfee saw it, the number of people who showed interest in RVs and motor homes this weekend was simply an extension of an already solid year.

Bowersox admitted the weekend’s weather was not quite ideal for the outdoor event, but that did little to dampen his spirits. “I was pleasantly surprised with the numbers despite the weather,” he said.

Bowersox added that there are things that need to be worked out with holding the event at the RV Hall of Fame, a feeling echoed by Tom McNulty, executive vice president of the hall of fame.

Both seemed to enjoy the advantage, however, of having each other’s presence in the same spot.

“It’s very taxing on our staff,” McNulty noted, explaining that the Hall of Fame had not stayed open until 8 p.m. before, or at all on Sundays.

He added, however, that this was one of its most successful weekends in a while. More than 500 people had gone through the museum on Saturday alone and the guestbook at the front desk had signatures from as far away as California, North Dakota and Quebec, Canada.

“For our first go-round, I think it’s gone real well,” McNulty concluded.

Jim and Pam Byron, who were wandering around the grounds looking at the merchandise, agreed with McNulty.

The Elkhart natives said though they were simply viewing and not in the market for a new vehicle, they “love RV shows.” Jim said they came out toward the show’s conclusion simply looking for “a fun thing to do on a Sunday afternoon.”

The Byrons explained that they had attended several RV shows in the past, but thought the Hall of Fame was the best site for hosting the Super Show.

With nearly double the space of previous host sites, plus the additional advantage of having the museum right beside the show, there is a good chance the Midwest RV Super Show will return to the RV/MH Hall of Fame.

Though there are bugs to work out before next year’s show, Bowersox said the Hall of Fame is penciled in to host the Super Show again.