Sport Shows

The shows are a thing of the past, sorry, that's what I see and what different camp owners tell me, and is the reason there are empty booths at shows. I can call and get a feel of what kind of person they are, I don't have to spend all that to find out. You can have the wool pulled over your eyes at the show or online. Research is key and so are references. I don't sit on the computer all day. I am out fishing, snowmobiling and doing the things I enjoy when I get a chance.........shows and big cities are not on that list. To each their own. I see you have alot of posts on here Obabikon, you need to get out and off the computer. My group guys will have our trip meeting after a day on the ice and fry up our fish and have some beers, alot better day for us than at the show and for about the same price.

[Obabikon]

Guest,

I stated in my post that "I am one of the worst ones out there" about being on the computer.

I've spent $10 on much less enjoyable things, so it's not like you're out a ton. While, I do think the prices are getting too high on them, it's still pretty painless.

A group meeting sounds like a fun time. And, an excellent way to get pumped about a trip.


That said, several of the shows had EXCELLENT attendance this year. And, for me, they've more than paid for themselves. Which, is an easy way to justify doing them next year.

Shows that are going down hill... Chicagoland and Kansas City NWShow... those two have gone from the HUGE shows that everyone remembers, to almost nothing. There was a time for those shows, but I do fear the time has past. They started to allow people like the shamwow to buy booths, and that was the beginning of the end.

But, the all canada shows are great. Last night in Omaha the crowd was perfect all the way until close. It's also a help that everyone walking through the isle is going to Canada or thinking about going to Canada.

[Glenman12]

Shows that are going down hill... Chicagoland and Kansas City NWShow... "

Are you referring to the All Canada show in St Charles?..we worked a booth for our resort and thought the crowds were good..maybe not as much as in years past but still solid..and we booked more people than we had in years past..our owner thought it was a success..are you the grey haired gentleman?..went by your booth a few times and was going to stop in but you were busy with people..maybe next year

[Obabikon]

No... the Chicagoland is not the Phesant Run show. The Chicagoland at Rosemont was the HUGE show that had tons of boats and booths 20 years ago.

The Phesant Run show is and was awesome this and every year!

[Glenman12]

Yes..the show in Rosemont is a pain..we did it for a few years..didnt get much out of it..I hear now that the parking costs almost as much as an entry ticket into the show..plus that long walk from the lot to the building

Shows are on the downhill no matter how you look at it. I believe the All Canada Show used to do alot more shows and elimated some of them and only kept their better ones, maybe I am wrong though. Did you do as much business as you used to at the shows? If they work for you, great, keep going. The operators I know say they are on the way out and some of the best operators I know have never done the shows and maintain a full camp.

[v-bay gord]

Originally Posted by guest

Shows are on the downhill no matter how you look at it. I believe the All Canada Show used to do alot more shows and elimated some of them and only kept their better ones, maybe I am wrong though. Did you do as much business as you used to at the shows? If they work for you, great, keep going. The operators I know say they are on the way out and some of the best operators I know have never done the shows and maintain a full camp.

Guest....don't kid yourself, nobody stays in business by doing no marketing. Some of the best operators do a lot of shows...others, like you point out may do few or none. Each picks what works best for them. Some are comfortable at shows and can "sell" their product.....others may prefer to highlight what they have in other ways.....it's a personal choice. As far as shows go, there are too many and too many that are poorly run. This will sort it self out as the poorly run shows disappear. The All Canada shows are well run and concentrate on what they do best....exhibiting Canadian operators. I think sport shows will always have a place in marketing fishing destinations, equipment, boats etc.... After all it's a great way in the dead of winter to remind ourselves that summer is on it's way!

v-bay gord
Shows are way to advertise, but if they do not bring in any new people it is not a big deal. Did you book alot of new guests at the shows? If not, then they don't pay unless they are a PR tool. If they are a PR tool, that is foolish to have them come down to visit, then they look at what everyone else offers and may end up at another lodge. Enjoy the shows.

[v-bay gord]

Guest......I agree, if you are not generating business from shows then it is foolish to do them.

[Obabikon]

But, lots of people still book groups at shows. From what I booked at 3 days of Omaha, I probably paid for all ten of our shows. It doesn't take huge crowds to book people, and certain shows have a lot of people walking through wanting to book.

It's not for everyone. Some resorts remember the "good ole days" when it was the only way to market. That's not the case, now it's just one of many ways to market. So, traffic is down compared to 20 years ago... but, that means you have to do other things. You have to promote online and in person. The shows might be dead to some people, but (as I've seen this year and last) it's alive and well for a lot of people.

I like personal selling. Face to face. Because, (no offense to other resorts) I honestly believe that I can say the right words and make the right comments in such a way that my resort seems more appealing than another's. You're right if you said the days of sitting in the booth and the sales coming to you are over. You have to work for it... and if you're not a good face to face seller, then another marketing technique might be better served.