ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (NBC 26) — The typical camping season is still a few months away.
But Northeast Wisconsinites like Michael Watkins are already gearing up. The Manitowoc resident has been a camping enthusiast for years. He even owns a 30-foot RV.
"Now we're looking for a different one," he said.
Watkins has his eye on the newest outdoor technology. That's why he and hundreds of others are attending this weekend's Green Bay RV & Camping Expo at the Resch Expo.
"They're now installing the USB ports next to all the beds, blue LED lighting," Watkins said.
It's the first expo in two years after 2021's was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We've got over 100 units of beautiful RVs in all shapes, sizes and varieties inside," Blue Green Events Senior Event Designer Amy Shadian said. "[That's] along with probably like 30-plus outside all heated. So you can go out there and check those out as well."
From refrigerators to kitchen stoves, some look like full-sized homes.
"There are some units here that have two levels, so an upstairs," Shadian said. "I didn't even know you could do that in an RV or a park model. So that's here too. We have a couple of those."
For Watkins and his son, that model is a favorite.
"My sister and my other sister can sleep in these two, and I can sleep in the other one," Watkins' young son said.
RV and camper dealers say Wi-Fi boosters are one of the top new features customers are targeting.
"One of the dealers just told me yesterday that everybody's starting to ask for solar," Shadian added.
With plenty of food, drinks and entertainment this weekend, Watkins advises attendees to make the right decision.
"You're gonna get something and you're gonna be like 'oh no, I wanted that one,'" he said. "So make sure, if you're gonna buy new, take your time."
The expo goes through Sunday.
