Boat shows, anyone ever heard of this?

[Gilligan]

I won't mention a boat manufacturer by name but for 4 years I have helped my dealer out at boat shows. The dealer is 50 miles away from a large city market. (they do 3 shows in this area every year)The boat manufacturer just informed them that they are not to take their boats to any shows in this area since there is another dealer closer! :badidea:

[T Mac]

That is pretty common. I'd say the "closer dealer' complained.
Is there a new dealer in that larger market?.
-Sounds like it.
But...no matter what,... by golly, that "closer" dealer had better do the same amount of exposure of the boat line in question, or I'd whine like heck!

I had to quit doing a couple of shows for the same reason.

Tell your guys to hang in there. Fact is...boat shows aren't very productive for fishing boats anymore, anyway.
The folks go to the show and look at the boats... if serious, then they call around to compare pricing..... and more importantly...to compare product knowledge and professionalism of area dealerships for the brand they are interested in, before reaching a buying decsion.

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

[Gilligan]

Thanks T-Mac, was hoping you would reply.

[doubleheader]

Gilligan,

I suspect I know exactly who you're talking about, but they may find out it's a blessing in disguise. If I were them with their showroom I'd plan a huge open house with door prizes and save the money. I was in Harrisburg last weekend, those poor exhibitors at that show are really getting squeezed. There was about half as many boats as previous years, and with the weather about 10% of the customers. This weekend's weather doesn't look much better, so I suspect this show will really change (get smaller) next year. I talked to one dealer at mid day last Saturday, he showed me his space, it was fairly large, but they spent nearly $50K on the show. There were no customers anywhere in his space as we talked. If I had a boat dealership I would be looking at new and innovative ways to market my product and draw customers.

[Gilligan]

Doubleheader...yes you know and thanks for not throwing names out there. Didn't want it to turn into one of those threads. Found out SLM will be there just bringing their 'other' line of boats and not the 'fishing' boat line.

I actually thought it was good with both dealers being there. SLM (or vise versa) may have one model there that the other dealer did not have displayed allowing shoppers to see more of the products offered by this particular boat line. They will be doing some in house stuff with their show room this year.

[Blackmacs]

Gilligan,

I suspect I know exactly who you're talking about, but they may find out it's a blessing in disguise. If I were them with their showroom I'd plan a huge open house with door prizes and save the money. I was in Harrisburg last weekend, those poor exhibitors at that show are really getting squeezed. There was about half as many boats as previous years, and with the weather about 10% of the customers. This weekend's weather doesn't look much better, so I suspect this show will really change (get smaller) next year. I talked to one dealer at mid day last Saturday, he showed me his space, it was fairly large, but they spent nearly $50K on the show. There were no customers anywhere in his space as we talked. If I had a boat dealership I would be looking at new and innovative ways to market my product and draw customers.


This is what some of the dealers in the Twin Cities did this year. They had a Parade of Boats in their own show rooms instead of paying $50,000 for the boat show. Those same dealers will be at the big sports show in March.