Some motorhome shows are what might be described as manageable size.

You can stroll around fairly easily and take everything in over an hour or so.

However, the giant shows, such as that at the NEC Birmingham, are in a different league. It’s very easy to walk in and be overwhelmed by the scale of what’s going on.

That’s why we at Derby Motorhomes have put together a few basic thoughts on how you can get the most out of the Motorhome Show.

Research and plan ahead

The big shows typically have a website set up a long time in advance and plenty of information is usually available there.

You are really looking for things such as floor plans and a list of exhibitors plus what they have to show. Once you have that to hand, you can start to look for those things that are of particular interest to you and make a note of exactly what you must see during your visit.

Consider the amount of time you have available

Many of us are prone to being overly-optimistic about just how much ground we can cover at these shows and over what period of time. Don’t forget that the Motorhome Show environment may be busy and individual exhibitors may have queues of people waiting to see them and their offerings.

If you have say, 10 exhibitors you feel you really must see, then finishing the day only having seen three or four, all in the bottom half all of your list might be disappointing.

So, be realistic with how much time it is going to take to get around and concentrate on your top priorities. Only move on to things lower down your list once you have dealt with your priority “must see” needs.

Avoid getting side-tracked

Exhibitors are, of course, experts in catching the attention of passers-by.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with you suddenly diverting from your plan but don’t keep doing so if it puts at risk your primary objectives in attending the Motorhome Show.

Take water and snacks

The catering at major exhibitions can be perfectly acceptable but it can also be placed under intense pressure by crowds. On the whole, people might also find it to be moderately expensive.

It’s a good idea to put some food and drink in your bag/rucksack. It will save you time and money.

Use your camera or phone camera

Many of us have experienced the frustration of returning home, only to find that we are struggling to remember whether an item was a certain colour or not. More seriously, at the end of a tiring day, it’s also perfectly possible to struggle to remember which company was offering what service or product!

In these days of digital technology, taking plenty of snaps by way of aide-memoir is easy and zero cost. It can be invaluable when you return home but do remember to ask exhibitors’ permission (where practical) before photographing them or the items they are showing.

Get an early night beforehand

Almost everybody agrees that visiting a major exhibition of this nature can be tiring.

If you had a very late night the night before and were up at the crack of dawn to get there early, by lunch you are likely to be at best jaded or at worst, wiped-out.

At the risk of sounding like a parent, it’s always a good idea to get an early night before setting off for a major motorhome show!