This just in from Medipac arrangers of the Snowbird Extravaganza:
Snowbird Extravaganza 2023 has been cancelled;
Snowbird Extravaganza 2024 is tentatively booked it for January 30 and 31, 2024 at the RP Funding Center.
For more than 17 years, Canadian Snowbirds to Florida and other Southern U.S. destinations have been able to take in free-of-charge trade shows known as Snowbird Extravaganzas, one of which is held in Lakeland Florida, just a half hour or so down I-4 from Orlando.
We visited the Lakeland Snowbird Extravaganza this year in late January, and recommend that you do so as well if you are in Orlando and area in January each year. No, not for the information that available even though some of it was interesting, but for the entertainment!
The Snowbird Extravaganza is a trade show for travellers, with a focus on Canadian Snowbirds. It’s a pretty clever piece of marketing, we think. Target a demographic that has already demonstrated the desire and ability to travel (one of the shows is in Florida, after all) and then present them with a host of opportunities to entice vendors interested in selling to that demographic, and then invite all the Snowbirds to a “no charge” event, and while they are there, let the vendors who paid for the privilege convince them to part with more of their money at the show.
They host shows throughout Canada, and in 2015 Snowbird Extravaganzas were to be presented in Lakeland Florida, McAllen Texas and Mesa Arizona.
Who Is Snowbird Extravaganza?
We understand that the Snowbird Extravaganza is a marketing tool for Medipac travel insurance, a key supplier of travel insurance to Canadians, and one with a good reputation. According to CoporationWiki ” Medipac (US) International, Inc. filed as a Domestic for Profit Corporation in the State of Florida on Tuesday, January 18, 1994 and is approximately twenty-one years old, according to public records filed with Florida Department of State. ”
What’s at the Extravaganza?
Displays by lots of folks that want to sell you goods and services, including, but not limited to:
- Medipac Insurance
- Canadian Snowbird Association
- Manulife Financial
- CSA
- Bealls (department stores)
- Florida Lottery
- Wyndham Resorts
- The Tampa Tribune
- Bright House TV/Phone Networks
- Sea World
- Busch Gardens
- Prevagen Drug Manufacturer
- assorted attractions from the area
…and more.
We didn’t enjoy our visit to Snowbird Extravaganza for the various vendor displays though some were of interest to us.
We enjoyed our visit because of the wonderful – and no charge – entertainment offered.
That’s why we suggest you take in a Snowbird Extravaganza if you get the chance, as long as they offer the entertainment that they did in Lakeland in 2015. A wonderful show in a very comfortable auditorium at the Lakeland Center, during which we enjoyed the songs of the likes of John McDermott. Other artists performing that day included:
- Michelle Wright
- Pavlo
- Crystal Gage
… to name just a few.
Essentially then, for the $8 parking charge at the Lakeland Center (a parking charge that is not referred to in any of their promotion by the way) we enjoyed a professional music show, and for us that was very good value.
You may find something other that interests you if you take in the Snowbird Extravaganza where you are, but at the very least, do come for the music. That, in itself, makes it all worthwhile as far as we are concerned.
Want more info? Visit: www.snowbirdextravaganza.com .