Longtime Chamber Event Being Renamed in 2012

LONGVIEW — After 29 years, the event known by most as “The Boat and RV Show” has been renamed according to the Longview Chamber of Commerce. With its new name, East Texas Outdoor Expo will take place January 27-29, 2012, at Longview’s Maude Cobb Activity Complex.

First held in 1982, it was called the East Texas Boat Show because it featured boats and yachts from Longview area boat and marine dealers. First held in 1982, it was called the East Texas Boat Show because it featured boats and yachts from Longview area boat and marine dealers. Dale Clark and Gene Brady, owners of Longview Marine at the time, founded the event with operational help from volunteers of the Longview Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber eventually assumed ownership of the event in order to help expand participation of exhibitors and vendors.

From being primarily a “boat show” with other watercraft, the event grew to include recreational vehicles, travel trailers, ATV four wheelers, motorcycles and vendors of a variety of merchandise and gear for outdoor activity. To be inclusive the name of the event grew to be the East Texas Boat, RV and Camping Expo. However, the name became too long and was shortened by almost everyone to the “Boat Show.”

Officials say without a good distinction, the event, held the last weekend of January each year, became confused with other boat shows in the region. According to press materials, it was time to consider a new name that would let people know what the event offered. After the January 2011 event, a survey was distributed by the Longview Chamber of Commerce to the exhibitors. A question regarding their support of a name change was included. The proposed name change was East Texas Outdoor EXPO. Of the surveys returned, 85% supported the name change because it was more inclusive and allowed for additional expansion for future years.