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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Great facility and a good crowd. LOTS of room, too. And beer.
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Posts: 1283
| Just got back awesome show! I like 100% better then the old Harper show, and it was pretty busy. Trying to think of a way to persuade the GF to go back already! |
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Posts: 999
| Steve find out some info on the new tournament legend elite series rods that are there. Thanks |
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Posts: 115
| Hey what are they charging to get in?? I thought i read somewhere that it is $20. Is that right?? |
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| $10 to enter |
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Posts: 115
| Ok cool...i was worried cuz ive got to pay for 3 other people to get in...at 20 bucks a head thats like 2 or 3 less baits i get to buy;) |
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Posts: 123
| This is our first time to Chicago and what a great first day. We met so many awesome people from the other vendors staff running the show and most important tue musky heads attending the show I was happy to see many families or parents with their kids it is great to get them started early.
Stop by the Handlebarz booth and say hi.
Cheers Mike
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Posts: 156
| The new Muskie Expo-Chicago is spectacular. Let's be honest, the old Tri-Esox Show was sliding the last handful of years (some of you may also know the reasons). It got so bad, that we drove up to Milwaukee last year, and lo and behold...they were handing out flyers for the new show here in Chicago.
The new show had way more vendors. I spent 3.5 hours there yesterday and barely scratched the surface. I had so much "business" to take care of: booking my trips, ordering a few fish from Lax, getting some show color baits, etc. Many stories of 2014 season were told, etc. It was a great time, and I'm going back with a few different friends today.
As with any new show, it's not "perfect" but I'm sure they'll work the relatively small kinks over time or some vendors will adjust. For example, in some areas the lighting wasn't the best. So it was hard to see some of the colors...maybe those vendors will bring some spotlights next year. The one set of booths down the right side from the door were kind of packed tight and it was difficult to move through that area, etc. Maybe a few more rows in the open atrium area, and less down the right side. Also missing (unless i missed it) is the bait tank for lure demos.
But like I said, those are minor issues that will be improved I'm sure in the next iteration. This new show is easily an order of magnitude better than the old Musky Show, even compared to the "golden age" of the old Tri-Esox Show about 10 years ago. |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Lebanon,Mo | Looks awesome,but not gonna make it this year with the move back from Florida,and spending this weekend moving the girlfriend in from Kansas. But no worries...im still spending $ at this show. Have fun everyone |
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| I am obviously in the minority. I liked Harper College better. The new space is very dark. The lighting is terrible. I loved all of the tackle booths but the place is so dark that it's hard to appreciate all of the items at the booths. |
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Posts: 1283
| I heard a couple vendors talking about the lighting but I really didnt see it as a big issue. Baits all looked great to me, but I hear ya on the congestion in the area just off to the right when you go in.
FYI Bait tank is next to the hockey rink.
Mike At Handlebarz
Me and the GF met you and grabbed a Dbl 8 with gold blades and a lemon skirt. Looks great and it was a pleasure to meet you. |
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Posts: 136
| Looks like the show setup was great. Its killing me that I couldnt go this year. I had to work downstate Illinois this weekend and couldnt make the trip for the first time in years. We usually split time between the Musky Show and All Canada. I didnt make either this year. My boss clearly doesnt have the same priorities as me or I would have been excused to be at the shows!  |
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Posts: 321
Location: Glen Ellyn Il | X2
I did not like this show at all very, disappointed, terrible lighting and no way to get around. At the end of Thorne Bros was jammed. I will not go back, Milwaukee show for me
Gino |
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Posts: 1283
| The entire show was jam packed! I though it added to the excitement. |
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Posts: 556
| I will say this -- THE MILWAUKEE SHOW is the best show I have attended. Some will like Chicago--but for me--It is worth the drive North. But I wish Well to the Chicago Show as any show is better than none... |
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Posts: 94
| The biggest thing that I missed this year was sitting in a Tuffy Boat. They always had them at harper college, I don't know if it was a space constraint or they couldn't get the boats through the door but it was a let down for me. Other than that it was a good show lots of venders great new products. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Great show. TI is offering some great specials on some great baits as well as freeeeeee baits for kids so please stop by...
james
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Posts: 44
| Geez! All the critics, !st yr. for this show. Be thankful you've got somewhere to go and look at the latest musky equipment.
Lighting, too many people, so what, enjoy guys. We're fortunate to have two in the area. Some guys would whine if you beat them with $550 rod.
Jim |
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Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | jim lock - 1/11/2015 9:25 AM
Geez! All the critics, !st yr. for this show. Be thankful you've got somewhere to go and look at the latest musky equipment.
Lighting, too many people, so what, enjoy guys. We're fortunate to have two in the area. Some guys would whine if you beat them with $550 rod.
Jim
If one pays for admission I feel they have the right to criticize. Doesnt mean they're not grateful either. If Im promoting a product or and event, I want to hear both what worked and what didnt. Im sure several vendors will have srong opinions about this set-up too. They too have a right to be critical and or complimentary. I feel that there was certainly a buzz about a new show. And I for one supported the Tri-esox show and was sorry to see it end. But there was a definite curious entusiasm surrounding a new show. Peronally I dont think it lived up to the hype. Others here have touched on points I agreed with about the show I'll leave it at that. |
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Posts: 189
| I liked Harper better much more room at Harper. I miss the swimming pool and the boats. |
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Posts: 44
| Karloutdoors
I agree with you to a point. Constructive criticism is good, but I stand by my point, its a first year venue and as musky guys we need these type of shows vs on-line and catlaog sales, seeing the latest in $550 rods, we even talked to people about the trailer stickers in MN., they were really glad to get our input. I am sure it will improve in the future. Better a Musky Show than non at all.
Thanks Jim |
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| It was ok. I felt like thorne brothers skimped on what they brought. Same with musky innovations. Would have liked to see the boats there and it didnt flow as good as harper. My .02 |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | toothycritter88 - 1/11/2015 5:44 PM
It was ok. I felt like thorne brothers skimped on what they brought. Same with musky innovations. Would have liked to see the boats there and it didnt flow as good as harper. My .02
x2
Great to have a show to see everyone and the lures and gear, however it was dark and really did not care for the layout at all. I wanted to ck out boats as well. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I didn't see and traffic flow issues, other than when the place was crowded and all the aisles full. Put that same size crowd in Harper and you would have been whining about the crowds and not being able to move or shop.
There needs to be more light, for sure. I really would have liked to had boats in the show as well.
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Posts: 116
| I was in a booth all weekend and I thought it was pretty good overall. We were in a particularly dark spot but we got through it. I'm sure there will be some layout adjustments but as Steve said, I didn't notice any flow issues although I was apprehensive about a horseshoe shaped floor plan. People seemed friendly and there were no snakes. One thing I really liked is that it was on the cool side in there which I would prefer over the usual expo Saturday sweat lodge. I would rather put on a hoodie than sweat all day. |
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Posts: 3147
| We're there any kids events/activities maybe I didn't see them if not gotta have some. Main seminar room had very good sound with the low ceilings and the chairs had 5 inches of cushion very comfortable. Bathrooms were very convenient compared to Harper. Foods looked good but was very pricy $4 for candy. I don't think the lighting can be improved the vendors will just have to add some portable lights to attach to their booths in future. I liked the the how to clinics hope those stay. The main show hotel sucked Marriott is THEE most cheapest penny gouging innkeeper of any hotel chain no fridge in the room the breakfast they gave us sucked if you can call it that a couple choices of dry rolls and couple slices of fruit of course I could have gone over and had the resturaunt breakfast for $15 !!!!. The main floor was freezing yes it was cold out but the Past show hotels had warm lobbies to socialize in.
The Sears center needs to knock out a bigger door if they want to have shows here so objects like cars and boats can be displayed on show level.
Overall I liked the Sears center but get rid of that lousy Marriott has a show hotel option.
Edited by happy hooker 1/12/2015 11:16 AM
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I stayed at the LaQuinta 3 miles away and had waffles, yogurt, and bagels for breakfast. BIG rooms, nice showers, nice TVs, and $69 a night.
Greg Karch did a Future Angler Foundation Kids clinic for the NPAA for over 50 kids Sunday, and every one left with an NPAA Future Pro T shirt or a rod and reel.
Friday the show was toasty but not hot, Saturday I think the doors were open quite a bit with all the traffic. It was a little chilly, but not uncomfortable. |
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Posts: 574
Location: Elk Grove Village, IL & Phillips, WI | Great show and got some great deals! The layout was a bit hokey, but it was like having just one long aisle rather than a square room with many aisles going up and down. Too bad the hockey rink was set up, I was hoping that there would have been boats in the center of the arena. All in all, a fantastic time and hopefully the show promoters will work out kinks and it will just get better. |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | Yes it was chilly Saturday but down right freezing if you were downwind from the doors, I had my coat on (wish I had warm boots) and my wife and Lees wife had blankets on it was so cold. Considering how cold and windy it was outside there was not much could be done about it. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Doug Reuter Thank You for a Great Show at thre Sears Center, one thing I know for sure is Doug will make this show a World Class event in a couple of years. I for sure will be part of this Show for many years to come. |
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Posts: 220
| We stayed at LaQuinta ditto what Steve said plus right next to the swap meet ! |
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Posts: 59
| The bar was a game changer. Go do your musky thing, then sit down on a comfortable chair with other musky people and have a cocktail, then go back and do your musky thing, then back to the bar. So relaxing to get out of the crowds, bite the show off in pieces. Yes maybe it caused me to spend a few hundred dollars that I wouldn't have otherwise, but that was the longest amount of time I have spent at one of these. Harper college just wasn't a place I cared to be at in the first place. big thumbs up to the new place, more professional and more space. |
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Posts: 1283
| I agree Big! The only real prob was the price of beer. lol |
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Posts: 62
| ^ That was crazy . . . $9 for a can of Revolution. Just one less bait purchased. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | For anyone that missed the show and swap, here's a peek of what the road trip looked like from the perspective of my 13 yo son.
http://youtu.be/Ne71Tg1-KJs |
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Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | Nice work...hope he had a great time Will. |
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Posts: 1283
| Cool vid! |
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