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Posts: 92
| As a vendor at most all the Musky Shows, I feel the shows are a great way for the public to get a chance to get some deals on custom painted lures and a chance to share their on water experiences with vendors, guides and such. I think shows need to stay in place to keep the face to face element in our ever growing world of online, social media, and such. My question is what would you suggest as things to help improve the shows not only from the vendors but the show promoters as well? I think all your thoughts could really help all of us giong forward.
Chuck DiVito
Custom X Lures and Rods |
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Posts: 537
Location: Gilberts IL/Rhinelander WI | Get rid of all the pushy salesman type guys, as well as the scam giveaways. |
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| I agree. The guy with the olive branch that makes people hold it as he swims a lure through it drives me crazy. |
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Location: Minneapolis | More deals that make the shows worth going to. IMO, custom colors are not enough of a reason for me to buy baits at a show. The only lures I bought were in the "bargain bin" at the sport shop booths. |
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Location: Eau Claire,WI | Here are my opinions,having been to lots of different shows...
Lower the temperature 10 degrees in the building,all of them have been like walking into a sauna.
Have a complete listing of the vendors and location of the vendors on the shows web site.
On the vendors website,show me a few of the "custom"/show colors, any other info would be great too.Example,buy 3 get one free, $10 off a $100 purchase etc.
Make sure the vendors are set up when the show starts. I know on the vendors.
Stop serving alcohol. My thing!!! Nothing like having beer spilt on you/in your bag of new lures. I know soda can do the same thing...
I will second the pushy sales guys. Don't tell me what I need. IF I wanted to buy your lure I would have spent more than 30 seconds in your booth!
Edited by FishingFool 3/11/2013 8:29 PM
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Posts: 719
| Good topic Chuck...I would suggest building a certain pipeline so people can afford the gas to get there...and this may be costly and risky but I would like to see the promoters branch out and spend a chunk of money to draw in people who may not currently fish for musky or may not fish at all. Just targeting current musky anglers to 'come on out' is only getting these shows a small percentage of sport fishermen. You put a bunch of casual fishermen who have never caught a musky in front of rows and rows of gigantic baits and their eyes get real big with interest. To grow the demographic they need to look outside the box and stay one step ahead. |
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Posts: 279
Location: Central Wisconsin | I like the custom colors but some show specials are definately welcome. Some of the prices you pay, you'd be better off buying from somewhere else. It is nice talking with the baitmakers though. Just my opinion.
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Location: minocqua, wi. | i'd like to see more trolling in the swimming pools and less casting |
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Posts: 456
Location: Kansas City BBQ Capitol of the world | As an outsider looking in never have gone to a Musky show I know the names of the top guys in this field who attend and that is great. In saying that the "average" guy or angler does not know who allot of our celebs in our sport are.
Now if you advertised on the radio and TV that the SI Swimsuit models will be at the booths you may get a whole new influx of people attending!
Kidding about the SI models but that idea remains the same. WWE guys, MMA guys, Pro Skater, Pro athletes signing autographs who have a Muskie tale to tell or a musician like Ted Nugent may draw people in that never fished for a Muskie in their life.
Every large car and bike show I have been at has had some celeb there as a billing.
Ron
Edited by rjhyland 3/11/2013 9:31 PM
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | I agree, get Uncle Ted! |
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Posts: 153
Location: MN | I think all sports shows should be free to get in. I would go to alot of them then. Don't vendors have to pay for their table? |
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Location: Chisholm, MN | Yeah I would be willing to spend more on baits if I didn't pay to get in. |
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Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Sled!! That was funny!!! But...you never know...that might ruin the show 
Born... I'm betting the cost to rent the building, paying speakers, refreshment stands, etc. goes well beyond the vendor's cost for a table.
Steve |
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Posts: 7051
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | DO SOMETHING NEW, or at least do something better. I wasn't able to attend the Milwaukee Show this year, but heard positive changes were made. Other shows that I go to are pretty much the same year in and year out, with new politics, less vendors and they wonder why people aren't going at the same rate.
And to vendors: if you want my money, give me a reason (beyond "show colors) I should buy it there versus online. I like a deal (no religious jokes here) and let's be honest, everyone likes a deal or to at least feel like they're getting one. If you're basically just showing me the same items I can buy online w/o any kind of price break....I might as well stay home, pay the shipping and save my money on gas, parking fees, entry fee and on the incredibly bad food and overpriced waters or drinks I get at the show.
Before you look at the @ssholes running swap meets and blaming them for taking away your dollars, might want to ask yourself why they are willing to go to a crowded ballroom and buy used lures versus going to a show. |
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| For a little idea on vendor costs. Depending on show location, with electricity and/or a corner booth $400 to $750 for a single 10 x 10 booth. For multiple booths you get a little deal sometimes. For a big retailer with 4 booths that is costly. For small guys that can not write it off as advertising it can be a bit much. Add hotel food and travel at $300 to $500 (maybe more depending on location). That adds up to a lot of product to sell to cover the costs. |
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Posts: 2337
Location: Chisholm, MN | The retailers often have the best deals, but I would rather buy directly from the company if the price is right. I spent almost all my money at reeds last year at the MN show because of the deals. |
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Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | I used to go to sportsman's shows for deals. I haven't been to a muskie specific show, but by some of the comments it sounds like they are no different than what's been going on at all the other shows. For that reason, if I go to a show these days, it's more for entertainment (people watching) but that gets old. Especially what it costs to go to these things. |
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| Slamr - On the points to vendors, manufacturers need to be careful not to undersell their retailers (the way this free market thing is set up) and risk losing them, I believe most will eat the tax (meaning they pay it but do not charge it) and for your state it is 10%. You can also hand pick your product, hold it and check it out then decide if you want to buy it. If you did it online and did not like it you would have to ship it back which is costly. |
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| Give away more free DECALS!!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 1106
Location: Muskegon Michigan | I think booth costs are way over the top which is why we don't sell at shows. Why work for month to build a ton of lures only to loose money on the trip? Also small manufacturers in the same shows as their retailers ? Ill pass.
Our new Michigan show at the Michigan Musky shop is being run the way us small guys can make a profit. Free parking no show admission and only 50 bucks for booth space for legit manufacturers. No big retailers. we are adding in the swappers with free tables as well. Contact Jason at the Michigan Musky shop for details. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | It costs us about $600 just to attend the Minneapolis show as a media company without paying for a booth. We can come in a day later, and leave hours earlier. It's expensive to attend these as a vendor. Vendors need to walk the line so the retailers do not get mad at them. What it comes down to is entertainment factor as an incentive to attend, something to draw extra bodies through the gate, and telling people that the show is happening through advertising.
Advertising, building rental, personnel to run the thing, and all the associated costs are not small. The idea is to make a reasonable profit, that's what the shows are there for. It's up to each to offer something innovative that draws in extra gate revenue and interests folks who might not otherwise attend. Both Milwaukee and Wausau did some creative and out of the box things to boost attendance this year. |
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| The SI models will outdraw everything else. And if you really want to get a crowd, raffle off a month's vacation at LOTW with the model of winner's choice. For single guys only, of course. |
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Posts: 476
Location: St. John, Indiana | I think the Internet is killing the shows....all fishing shows
My local shop went to 6 shows this year, next year he's going to two. He said the crowds were good, but the people weren't buying anything
Like people have said, with the cost of gas and admission , you can buy it cheaper at home
I was looking for an HDMI cable for my tv, $1.50 shipped from Hong Kong on eBay.
$9.99 if a drive to best buy......hong kong is about 8000 miles from my house
Shimano reels, why would anyone buy a shimano reel from a show when they can get it 20% cheaper on eBay???? |
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Location: sneaking out to get on the water ;-) | I know the waussau show had the kids event that helped get extra through. We also have fun at the kids bait table at the MN show. When the kids are having fun it makes it easier to spend the time and check everything out. Make it family friendly can get you a long ways for some of us. If we're spending the money and time on a weekend it's easier to do when the whole family is happy. Deals are always a bonus same with the seminars. |
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Posts: 153
Location: MN | My wife and I will attend the MN expo, we go every year, its something to do. I will bring some cash and buy a few lures, probably take in a seminar. I bought one of my calcuttas at the show a few years ago. I got a very good deal on it and couldn't have got a better price on Ebay. I still think that the entry should be free. Don't you think more people would attend if it were. |
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Posts: 338
| I agree 100% with the gentleman saying that vendors/manufacturers should give away more FREE Decals. I have bought a few over the years, but I am done buying decals. I just can't justify paying to advertise for a company who's baits or products I use. Advertising is just another cost of doing business!!! Just Sayin.
Edited by Rattlin RB 3/12/2013 11:02 AM
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Location: Elgin, IL | Add a few golf equipment booths.
Then we could argue on whether long anchored putters should be banned or not. |
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Posts: 999
| Dont advertise your show almost EVERY SINGLE DAY of the week on Facebook it gets old. I agree with a post above, make some good deals at the show that make us want to buy your lures and at a cost that we will never get outside of a show. Some of the larger retailers have the same prices as they do all summer in their shops. I'll spend my money on something I WONT be able to get anywhere else besides that show before I pick up something I can grab anytime on the way up north. |
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Posts: 566
Location: Elgin, IL | I also think Slamr's post is spot on. |
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Posts: 40
Location: Cave Run, KY | sworrall - 3/12/2013 10:09 AM
What it comes down to is entertainment factor as an incentive to attend.
Steve's nailed it perfectly for me. |
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Posts: 192
| My dad and I went to my first musky show in Wausau this year and told him he could have just left me there. I very new to musky fishing and agree that the shows should do more to target fishermen who are on the fence about getting into musky fishing because it took me three seasons to even realize they held shows like this. There is so much musky fishing knowledge at one of these shows and im not against paying the extra 10 dollar entry fee to get some of it. |
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Posts: 661
Location: Roscoe IL | I'm always looking for show specials, reduced prices and colors that you would not normally see on the racks. Why drive to a show, have to pay to park, pay to get in and have to pay full price? Yeah, it’s a social gathering too, and that said why not serve beer and good food. I know they sell beer at the Milwaukee show but not at Chicago. Then there’s the problem with the quality of the food, we leave the events to eat anywhere but the show. In most cases, we don’t bother to come back.
Serve beer, have a place to eat and I don’t need to tell anyone that girls in tight shorts can sell a Popsicle to an Eskimo. Get Hooters to sell wings and beer in the concession area, have more products on sale and you can expect sales to double!
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Slamr - 3/12/2013 7:48 AM
DO SOMETHING NEW, or at least do something better.
I agree with this...Speaking for myself, to me the Chicago show just has gotten very stale. For the last 5+ years I feel like nothing has changed...the same people, in the same booths, in the same spots every year. Out of the many booths at the show, I can say usually 30% or often less appeal to me. As mentioned, there's not much of anything in terms of deals. The same lures can be bought online at anytime for the same or cheaper. Yes there are new lures that come out...but you can also wait for feedback as the year progresses from other anglers online before you go and possibly waste your own money on new experimental baits. While it is nice to see familiar faces, when the place is jam packed-boiling hot with nowhere to sit and eat/drink anything it's not exactly setup for socializing
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Posts: 20231
Location: oswego, il | sell the chi show and the new owner move it to the schaumberg convention center.
agree with sled, a pool demostration using a mast system would be great.
Edited by ToddM 3/12/2013 2:26 PM
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Posts: 123
| In 2011 Muskies Canada Odyssey started family pricing $15 advance or $20 at the door no parking fees this includes your ticket your spouse and kids under 18 this was a great hit as there were a lot of people with there kids at the show. I had a family come by my booth his son told me he was saving his money all winter to buy some musky lures I cut him a great deal (his father jokingly asked for the same price his son got a chuckle as he did better then dad) so he would have more money left to spend else where in the show he came back and spent the rest in my booth and got a huge deal my reward for this was knowing that in the summer he had a blast catching musky with them.
As for deals I give them I dont advertise them before the show as its SHOW ONLY PRICING as others have pointed out my retailers would not like it and its not fair for them to have people pointing out that they can get it cheaper at a show every other year through me. I do reward the people who come out and support us vendors at the shows with great prices compared to others out there.
I dont get out to a lot of shows as I am like most others here just a guy working his butt off to pay the bills and have great times with the family and to go to the shows with my family it is to costly $20 each to get in plus the food for the day and gas its just not doable. In my area the only close show was in Michigan and we were not able to go the last two years and this year was canceled if its back next year I want to go as its only 2 hours from my house that is not a bad drive for a day.
What I would like to see in a show is more local guys who know the waters we are fishing in the area of the show not always big names who fly in for the show and are gone again. Yes you need a draw name but also get first hand local guides or bait makers or just the guy who catches a lot of fish and does not tell the world fill the main speaker spots and in between the main speakers have the other guys talking.
Deals are a must I feel that if people are coming out reward them with a good price break from retail prices your retailer will understand if its not advertised pricing and show only. Custom show colors are cool I do like to see them when I do get to a show. |
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Posts: 458
| -Better prices then what I can get online. Maybe buy 5 get one free and I team up with my buddies to buy baits.
-Custom baits. Why would I buy a standard color bait for full retail at a show?
-It would be nice if the speakers were not an infomercial. If a guy is sponsored by bait X and in his presentation he only talks about bait X then he loses credibility with me.
-Maybe a motivational speaker (like a sports coach) that talks about the mental aspects and what to do when you are in a slump.
-Better food and drinks would definitely help and I agree that if you leave for lunch sometimes you just don't come back. |
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Posts: 540
Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | Well I'd like to join in here ans look at it from a lodge owners perseptive.
Every body talks about " the deals" the ." Newest" greatest big thing and we as lodge owners sit or stand in our booths and watch every one walking around with bags and 300.00 rods and nobody talks to us or very few anyway they have to through the lure in a lake some where and we are a captive audience.we do not expect every one to book a trip but we all would be glad to share all the info you could Handel or even remember at the time for free,just talkin muskies.we spend LOTS. Of money to go and be there for you.and every one is hungry for info about all types of waters from dirty to clear one.
You see allure and you buy it and give the guy your money we go there with hopes of talking to some one who sounds interested and may be books a trip by the middle of June we never know what's going to happen kinda just like fishin. So stop the whining and take it for what it's worth and just enjoy what is in front of you at the time. Just sayin.ALWAYS CALM WATERS TO YOU ALL.Maybe we will see you on the dock some day |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | Great topic! I truly enjoy going to muskie shows and will probably continue to go regardless of any changes. However, here are some things that I love and don't love about these shows...
Things I love about Muskie Shows:
1. The seminars- Especially ones focused on techniques or how to do something. I would love to see experts talk about-small river fishing, trolling, row trolling, live bait presentations, equipment modifications, reel repair, boat rigging, how to use your sonar better, filming your catch ect...
2. Free stuff- Stickers!!! Hat or T-shirt with purchase. BOGO. Hell... what about extra hooks or soft tails when you buy a bait?
3. Boats- I love looking at boats in person. A larger selection would be awesome. What about some gear from the boat manufactures for sale:hats, shirts, stickers,ect.
4. Equipment: Custom lures that you can't get else where. Custom rods. Latest and greatest reels. Rods and reels are especially the items that I need to hold in my hand before making a purchase.
5. The great customer service and personalized attention at some booths. Tony Grant and his team does an awesome job at this...vendors take note.
Things I don't love about Muskie Shows:
1. The seminars- I don't like to feel like I am in an infomercial for a certain product or location.
2. The raffles- I don't like being heckled to sign up to win something or to plan my financial future and then being harrassed when I get home to participate in some travel agencies sales contest.
3. The food (poor quality) and lack of beer(at Chicago)- Like a previous poster said once I leave to get food I am probably not coming back.
4. The lack of customer service at some booths. When a customer enters your booth welcome them and make a connection, discover what they are interested in and respond. I realize that everyone is not a born salesman but it shouldn't be so hard to get a conversation going about your product....and the customer shouldn't have to do all of the work!
Some other ideas:
1. What about having different levels of admission: Example- $5 gets you in; $10 enters you in a raffle for lures; $15 raffle for lures and rods; $20 two day admission entered into raffle for lures, rods and reels; $30 two day admission entered in all raffles and you get a T-shirt or hat; $50 two day admission entered in all raffles free tshirt/hat and one year membership to Muskie Inc.
2. Auctions, contests and competitions...
3. More places to sit down and hang out and look at all the cool lures you just bought....think about what else you NEED:)
4. A basement bait makers showcase with ongoing lure making demonstrations.
5. A movie theatre set up to screen muskie videos with a presentation from the host and Q+A afterwards.
6. Garage sale area where you could sell used gear. Could be set-up with Muskies Inc. with a table fee to sell that gets donated to Muskies Inc. or a local charity. I know this is a stretch with the vendors but it could work in their favor too. The seller ends up with extra cash and space in the tackle box for new stuff and an angler who was on the fence about trying a lure discovers a new favorite and buys more next year. That's how I got into Sledge's...thanks Scott!
7. I feel that three days is to long for these shows. Make them two days and over lap the seminar speakers. This would create demand and eliminate any down time between speakers. Make people have to choose which seminar to see, you could schedule the more popular seminars twice to bring folks back for what they missed the day before.
8. Prizes for kids at various booths. You could make it like a scavenger hunt with clues about muskie fishing and get the youngsters excited about catching and releasing muskies. |
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Posts: 661
Location: Roscoe IL | Don,
Stop the whining and take it for what it's worth? Was this a sales pitch?
Did I interpret that reply wrong? |
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Posts: 540
Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | No sales pitch just sayin |
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Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | I'm shocked...I brought up the same exact thing about the MN show last year and got absolutely blasted! I thought the prices were the same or higher than what I can get online...blasted. I thought the price to get in was high...blasted. So, now it's okay to question the shows?
I specifically remember asking, "what happened to the deals?" I remember going to the show at the sports center in Blaine and picking up a bunch of baits, talking to bait makers, and still leaving with a few bucks. The last two years at Concordia I've left with all my money in my pocket and saved it for O'Gara's..."used baits."
With all this being said...I'll be at CSP the first week of April. The bottom line is, I love looking at the lures, talking muskies, and taking in a seminar. I just know that I won't spend a ton because I can get a "deal" elsewhere.
Steve |
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| Everyone loves the swag. I've had stickers made and it's affordable to have 200 decals made. And I know that Musky Armour was giving out free hats with two baits purchased a couple years ago. That was pretty cool. It's cool getting free stuff and then I don't mind wearing and advertising for them. I'm just wearing my muskie love on my sleeve so to speak. But it's not worth it to me to spend $5 on a decal just to advertise for someone. But getting that stuff would be a draw for me.
Entry fee isn't a big deal. If I'm driving all the way there, getting a room, buying dinner out, then the $10-$20 isn't a big deal. Promoter has to make money.
Keep the show colors, show colors. Now it's easy to find show colors after the show season on MTO or one of the retailers. I know that's getting baits sold and that's business for Aaron and the stores, and I'm all for that. But if we're talking about the shows, I'm not going to fall all over myself getting to a show when I know I can buy that same bait from my couch on the internet in a few months.
Get a free can coozy at the door or something. Again, they can be made for pennies and it'd be cool to have a "Chicago 2013" can coozy in the boat for the season.
And yeah it' a balancing act between the retailers and the manufacturers, but some deals need to be had. I understand the vendors gotta make their money back, but some show specials are draws. Like Stealth offers a show specials where you get three packs of different leaders for $20 and you're basically getting one pack for free. That's a deal. Maybe 2-3 baits and get a discount. I'll buy an extra bait I wasn't planning on just to get a discount. And after a while, shows stop being important as buying events. They are for me now, and for a lot of friends. If we go, it's to maybe "buy a few baits" for the helluvit and mainly see friends. After a while you know that a white pounder from Fleet Farm will catch as many fish as a custom painted one at a show and you don't need to go to the show. And that's where the free swag comes back into play as a draw. |
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| Im 24 and I like going to the shows but hate being treated like a child by pushy sales people. Yes I know what the lure is, yes I know how it works, SHUT UP and let me look please!!!!...... Props to the guys who let there products do the talking. |
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Posts: 2283
Location: SE, WI. | I'd like to see the 10$ entry fee good for all 3 days...;) |
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| I will have exhibited at all of the major Muskie Shows this year. Chicago, Milwaukee, Wausau and Minneapolis and 2 last year - Milwaukee and Minniapolis. My goal at the shows is of coarse to get a booking or 2 from each one. But for me it is really more about planting seeds, and getting my brand out there.
Yes I realize that 80% of the people are there for the lures and deals heck, I buy some too. I love meeting them, we talk about their day jobs, yes most of them don't do it full time even some bigger ones like H20 and Chaos Tackle, but I think we are all missing something here.
I can't speak for everyone but I enjoy the whole event. I love talking and visiting with my customers, I love checking out the deals, and yes spending too much money. Heck I bought a Musky Rod for my wife from a girl that was too cute to say no too (Tooth Tamer), got a t-shirt and $30.00 went to cancer research. I love being able to meet the people in this industry, both well known and average Joe's. I love learning from them and finding out how they tick. How often can you rub shoulders and speak to Jim Saric, Ty Sennett, Gregg Thomas, Steve Heiting, Tony Rizzo, Larry Dahlberg and on and on and on. These guys all share information and help educate us and help us catch more fish. That is likely more valuable than the 10 best lures in our boxes. You can't buy that. I also love to take in the swap meets and have met some wonderful people there. I met Todd and Wayne, average working guys from Minneapolis who fish my waters but don't stay with me...yet. And we regularly go to dinner together at the shows. I love those guys. Heck I bought a brand new Frabill Musky Net last year in Milwaukee for $100.00 and filled up an old Plano tackle box with lures for $75.00.
As for the pros pushing products, the Pro's have to or they won't have their sponsors for very long. Just take some of what they push with a grain of salt and make up your own mind on it. It is the corporate world we live in today.
I love going to the show, for me it helps get me primed for the season to come and I look at it like going to a ball (hockey) game or a movie. it is a night out for me.
Sorry for rambling, just my 2 cents.
Todd |
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Posts: 52
| First, I'm new to muskie fishing and am attending the MN show for the first time. I am pretty jacked up about it. I went to Thorne Bros. for the first time a few weeks ago and almost lost it. So, attract new people that can see, touch and smell this stuff. Second, this is not the first hobby that I have taken on in my life. I go to other shows and get bored of them as well. Why would I attend those time and again? Current or interesting information in seminars, deals on equipment, access to manufacturers, free stuff for the kids or special attention for kids in a booth for them to get them in the sport, etc. They always have a trout pond at sport shows. So, a Muskie pond? I meant that as a joke, but now I'm getting pretty excited about it. Cabin fever... |
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Posts: 1247
Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | I'm not sure that Musky Shows on their own can get back to the level they once were at,all fishing & hunting shows have been down as well.I think an All Esox Show-Muskie-Pike & Walleye would bring more fishermen through the doors.Also the Seminars are Great,but actual How To Side Room Classes on leader tying,lure tuning,lure painting,reel cleaning etc.. would help bring some additional people to the show.They need to get the major rod,reel,line,electronics etc.. MFG's back to the Shows in a MFG Only Area,give them a Free Booth to show products only. |
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Posts: 461
| Seminars are my main reason for attending a show. I realize the cost of having quality seminars is expensive. Maybe instead of charging a general admission, you pay to see a speaker. Maybe instead of having speakers just promote their guide business, you have more classroom type seminars. It would be easy to determine who was successfull and who shouldn't be asked back to speak. I'm past the acquire baits stage, but still feel the need to acquire information. |
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Posts: 46
| Great question Chuck. I am headed to the Minnesota show in a few weeks and hopefully can add more when I return. After being to the Chicago and Milwaukee shows these are my thoughts. 1) The more pre-show information the promoter can provide the better. The list of those buying space buying space is a must. It lets you know what direct sellers and retail shops you may see, and also those who may not be there from the years past. A map would be great, but is not a must. I know that the shows are not huge, but since the promoter must have one to set up booth spaces, putting it online seems to be quite easy. Any information about a "bait swap" would be great. I have been to these and they seem to be very well attended. This may grab those who are both new to the sport saving money, and those who have been fishing for a while and trading for newer items. 2) Any promotion I feel is great, and free is of course best. I like getting the Chicago mailer, but feel it should be promoted several weeks 4-6 in advance, especially for those making plans to come out of town. Free promos or information online seems to be great. Many retailers and guides are posting information on a daily/weekly basis. If one show is doing this and others are not then it only seems that one will do better than the other in both the short and long term.
I have been a show customer for about 5 years now. Some things continue to be the same (having no problem paying $10 to listen to the best speakers in the muskie world teach us all) and some things not (like most have agreed paying $25 for a $15 item from my computer seems crazy). I feel like only having the direct baitmakers at the show could be great (eliminating the large retailer), but could have consequences for both the baitmakers and us the buyers. It would give the makers the chance to show everyone why there product may be the one to buy. It would also allow them to make the price or deal. This would allow them to both sell products at a great value, and to let the customer know what deals can be had vs buying at the bigger stores brick and morter and online both.
One question I do have is "Who are attending these shows and who are those who the shows are missing but hoping to attract in the future?" Are there any demographics to the age/city/income/distance traveled? I know this may be hard to collect but may figure out why one show is doing better than another. |
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Posts: 43
| Bring in the Lakemaid beer girls, |
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| Todd M spot on for chicago show in some ways.Show needs to be sold the person running it time has past.Location farther south majority of your muskie fisherman are on the south side of chicago and south suburbs.Tinley Park convention center would be ideal plenty of hotels and restaurants and it is a block off of the expressway.0723 |
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Posts: 30
| BoothBoss.com
Streamlines and automates the registration process for exhibitors,which brings down the price of booth space, allows vendors to pick booth location in a live stream fashion. People that can't mark the show have instant access to every exhibitors website and contact info by going to the shows page.
Have seen it used at different trade shows around the state and seems pretty slick. |
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Posts: 1760
Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn | The internet is definitely the biggest competitor of all shows. I still go for the sole reason that I get to see long time friends that I don't get the chance to see as often as I would like. It's worth the price of admission for me just to say hi, and catch up on the past year. But what's really a hoot. bring someone new to this crazy obsession. Watch their confidence build with their bag of new secret weapons. I'd hate to see the shows go away completely in this wal mart internet world we live in. But It's been said " the times they are a changin " |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | And yet coverage of actual shows here is very popular. |
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Location: South-Central VA | I'm hardly a seasoned veteran of musky shows, going to MN this April will be my 5th. In the short amount of time I've been 'in the business' I've learned some very valuable lessons. I've really enjoyed getting to know other vendors and having the chance to meet some of the big names in the industry. I've only had one bad show and that was in Michigan last year. I appreciate all of the hard work that guys like Doug Reuter do to make a show a success. For a show promoter, there are a ton of issues to deal with and lots of hidden costs that guys like me would easily overlook.
I can pretty much only do two shows a year. I've chosen the Milwaukee and MN shows and I have no complaints about them. I think the show promoters do a great job of advertising and the people who stop by my booth at those shows have been great. I look at it as advertising, not everyone who stops in is going to buy a custom rod or lure.
The only suggestion that I have is to have a casting tank at each show for the vendors to showcase their lures in. I realize that casting tanks are expensive and they take up a ton of space and the show promoter gets no income from them, they are only an expense.
Edited by bowhunter29 3/15/2013 9:03 AM
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Location: Chisholm, MN | sworrall - 3/15/2013 8:05 AM
And yet coverage of actual shows here is very popular.
Yes, the teaser coverage only makes me want to attend the show even more. I don't see how the internet could hurt the shows. |
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| Internet advertising, promoting, and hype help a show. The ability to purchase and shop on the internet could have a negative effect on people who might be on the fence with attending a show or making purchases at the show. |
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Posts: 1760
Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn | sworrall - 3/15/2013 8:05 AM
And yet coverage of actual shows here is very popular. Love the coverage on this site. I just think the ability to purchase on line has taken away some of urgency in consumers in general. I just think is a sign of the times. There's more e mailing, texting ,and other social media. Which is all great,don't get me wrong. But in this fast food society we live in, face to face socializing seems to suffer. Everybody seems to be engulfed in their own busy lives. How great is it as a business owner to book trips or sell baits on line. Web sites like this to get unlimited info is fantastic. Personally myself, I will always prefer to have a face and a handshake over a chat online. Just not always possible. |
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| I know it's been said before, but I just want to make it clear on why the "deals" by the manufactures have gone away...
They can NOT undercut the retailers or the retailers will pull their product from their store. Without retailers, these small business are gone. It's a fine line you have to walk to keep the customers happy and the retailers happy. That is why the builders and makers of these baits have mostly show colors because they can't sell stock colors and compete with retail sales.
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Posts: 1220
| I pretty much have a pure ball at all the shows, but I would certainly agree that that the "digs" at the Schaumburg Convention center just down the road from Harper College experienced by a lot of us a week later, were just a "Bunch" better in every single way! I love the Chicago show but the way to get out of a basement, is to "get out of the basement!" |
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Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | I really like the interaction of the speakers in the seminars. I've seen just about every bait and the way it's guarrantied to catch big fish. But being able to ask a question and see the speaker relate to the answer, this is why I pay to attend. $10.00 bucks is pretty cheap for answer to why, what, or when.
Bruce |
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| Guest - 3/15/2013 11:49 AM
I know it's been said before, but I just want to make it clear on why the "deals" by the manufactures have gone away...
They can NOT undercut the retailers or the retailers will pull their product from their store. Without retailers, these small business are gone. It's a fine line you have to walk to keep the customers happy and the retailers happy. That is why the builders and makers of these baits have mostly show colors because they can't sell stock colors and compete with retail sales.
What you say is very true and I agree, but I also see and am predicting “retailers” will continue to lose their power for calling the shots. We are already seeing them bow out of the musky shows. I see this power continue to erode away for the same reasons as why the musky shows declining. My gut feeling is eventually the majority of purchasing will go directly to the manufactures through shopping online and the role of these middle men will be lessened. There still will be big box stores, but we already see how their selection is limited.
With social media and the internet, the manufacturer can be easily found and their products shopped. Maybe Mr. Worral is onto something here…
As for improving the shows? Less retailers that are all selling the same stuff, more manufacturers who can sell their stuff without the middle man mark up. Without the markup we can hire hot booth babes and give out free beer
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Posts: 1106
Location: Muskegon Michigan | Now you guys are getting to the core of the real problems in the fishing lure industry in general. I am a small manufacturer. We do all the work here from raw blanks to finished products. We almost cant afford to sell wholesale at all. Booth cost for any large show has climbed right out of our price range. I cant lose two months of work to go lose money at a show. Its that simple guys. We cant afford to lose money like bigger companies can.
The new Show started this year by the Michigan Musky shop is the only one we can afford to attend at this time. He has no large Retailers there , inviting only manufacturers so he can see new the products first hand. He purchased all of our remaining product after this years show. He only asks us not to have colors he has in the store. Most of the companies who attend don't even have baits in his store yet. This is the incentive for up and coming small companies to get a chance to showcase their products and even end up in Jason's store.
So I don't go to any of the shows that my retailers are selling at. I offer enough other options with online, Ebay and even selling excess product here. I would rather sell retail as we don't have the capability to build tens of thousands of baits every year even if we could sell them. If the Big retailers stayed home? You would see all the smaller manufacturers BACK in those shows. That is not going to happen so expect to see less and less manufacturers at the big shows and less and less retailers at the smaller shows. Big money runs the big shows. If to dont have the capital to play you stay home. Mike |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Show Promoters need to find ways to get the small vendors to have a booth at the shows, maybe smaller booths at 1/2 the price of a large full size booth, motel deals for the vendors, and most important PROMOTE the SHOW !!!! find new ways to promote and that will get new people to attend the shows. Someone from the Show come out to all the Musky Inc, and Fishing Club meetings in town a few months before promoting the show.
Edited by PIKEMASTER 3/15/2013 8:53 PM
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | I (Tackle Industries) really try to do a lot for kids and Veterans at the shows. I think TI has given away over $5000 in retail lures at the few shows we have attended this year to kids and a few Veterans who pass by. Also helped Wausau show give away $12 lures at the door for the first 200 through the door. The best was that a lot of great vendors banded together to buy 100 $75 6' kids rods this year to give away to kids at Wausau this year. I personally think if more manufacturers did some cool give aways at the show that would really help out with attendance and make the show more fun. JMO but if you don't have a buddy to go to the show with and can take your wife and kids that makes it a nice family day. On the flip side, the beer girls are nice too
For the Milwaukee show it was great to see the Musky Brothers do so much at the show. I think that really helps get more young people involved and that is the future of our sport IMO.
James
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Posts: 540
Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | My hat is off to you and all that you do |
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Posts: 225
Location: Ontario, Canada | The Muskie Odyssey in St.Catharines, Ontario has the BEST small vendors there are. $150 for a table. |
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Posts: 358
| Don, Nielsen's Lodge are on my to do list when I retire. I've heard Silvia say great thing about your lodge and its fishing ! Hope you have some American Beer... Busch Light for the after hours Now I just gotta retire...soon ! See you then Cody. |
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| I was working at our booth today at the New London show and it seemed to me that alot of people didnt buy anything. I asked several friends why they didnt buy stuff and they said well they didnt see anything they really needed. That leads me to believe that everybody including myself has enough tens and rubber in their box for the next 50 years. Idk. Just an observance. Talk to a few good friends who had booths and they said they had a decent day. |
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| 1. Lowering the admission price at the door would be a big help.
2. Finding a place for a musky show to be held the has better parking than Chicago and Milwaukee.
3. Not having to pay for parking at some shows.
4. I myself quit going to Milwaukee and Chicago because of the price of gas pushing $4.00 a gallon. Then having to pay to park, and walking sometimes for blocks on ice cover streets, parking lots, or sidewalks etc.
The vendors are great people but they are pay plenty for their booths etc. also.
I'll order online in the future!
Scott
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Location: sneaking out to get on the water ;-) | James, Just wanted to say thank you. We go to the MN show and this year the wassau show as a family. The kids save their own money each year also. They had a blast and loved the free baits from you. Two of them also got rods at the show and it was better than christmass, almost. Getting them involved and the misses too is the best thing ever. Instead of feeling guilty leaving them behind we all enjoy it together. What james is doing really makes it way more enjoyable for the kids. The booth that lets them build a couple of their own baits at the MN show is also great. Get the kids and family excited to go and it's easier all around. Also the veterans need all the support they can get without them we wouldn't be free to complain about so many things. Russ |
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Posts: 326
Location: Plainfield IL | This post kinda cracks me up. Would no entry fee of $10 really make you spend more on $20 lures? Same goes for gas. The consumer needs to see the sellers side as well. Face it the cost of “Hobbies” are going up. Golf, soccer, hockey, groceries all are going up and continue to go up. The cost of mass produced plastic or hand carved lures all are increasing as the components to make those lures are increasing. Have you ever sat down and talked with a mfg of wooden lures to see how many steps or time it takes to complete one. The vendors all have booth costs, hotel costs, food costs and fuel costs.
If the kids are happy , the wife is happy which makes dad happy. I goto all the shows because I like to hear all the stories! The tackle is a bonus. Some ideas I will borrow from Bass Pro/Boat Shows
Trout Pond
RC Car/Boat Race Track
Reptile Guy
Rock Wall
Casting Contest
Kids Lure building/painting
Edited by Running_Hot 3/18/2013 3:30 PM
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Location: Davenport, IA | I didn't go to the Chicago Show this year. I've been there once in the last three years. It's just crazy. They need to spread the show out. I don't need to feel like I'm at a concert to look at fishing tackle. Going to general outdoor shows, I am always looking for the deals. Having spent a lot of time in retail, I just do not see why there is nothing discounted at the shows. The merchandise that you cannot sell takes up valuable space that you could put something popular in.
I do not see a lot of "excessive salesmanship" that others talk about. I can only think of 1 company that has hounded me a few times. Needless to say, I automatically did not purchase their product.
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| jonnysled - 3/11/2013 9:12 PM
i'd like to see more trolling in the swimming pools and less casting
yeah I'd like to have to be one of those people that has to sit there and watch it too! |
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Posts: 34
| This may sound dumb but the guides and vendors may want to have a happy hour after the show. I've fine to the MN expo for several years and more than once have walked past a booth where I was.going to spend money cause a bunch of industry guys were standing around bs-ing and I didn't want to interrupt. I get that its a social event for them but I'm guessing they'd rather have my $$ than have me walk past. Perfect examples of good self marketing are Custom X Rods - the owner spent tie showing me why he bills rods the way he does. I haven't bought a custom trolling rod yet but when I do it will be from him. Larry Dahlberg is the most approachable guy there. The MH guys are also great, didn't make me feel dumb or like a ogling fab when I stopped to tell them I enjoy their magazine. In general though deals are the main reason to go. I can order almost any lure and get free without leaving home. By the time I drive and park and pay the gate fee I need to save more than 20% to really feel I've saved. |
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| I have a booth at various trade shows for my industry. My biggest reason for going is #1 to support the industry and to see my customers. I don't anticipate selling anything (it's nice if it occurs), however it provides me an efficient venue to see my existing customers and thank them for their business. It would cost me a ton of money to travel around the state visiting my customers and individually visiting them. Each situation is different, but I strongly feel that (at least in my industry), if you're strictly there to sell as your #1 focus, you're losing sight of the greatest oppurtunity and that is to thank your customer, to listen to your customer, find out what you can do better for them. The sales will follow and in my opionion it is farming...not hunting.
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| I think the seminar format needs to be changed. It's the same guys talking about the same stuff over and over year after year. All it would take would be a couple wireless mics, and you could do a very informal Q&A session in place of the standard "here's some footage of fish we caught in a place you likely can't afford to get to" |
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Posts: 1106
Location: Muskegon Michigan | I am really excited about Jason Chaney's new shop AND ANNUAL SHOW/SWAP In Michigan. 7,000 square feet. Its clean, its open and he can fit a bunch of people in there. He has no extra costs except for tables and chairs. This way his booth cost for us smaller manufacturers is only 50 bucks for two days. I like it. He is the only retailer there. He invites manufacturers that build products he feels he can sell on Lake st. Clair and in Michigan and Ohio, Canada and Indiana. H e is thinking of having a couple of speakers next year but this show is all about lures both for sale and trade. He has combined the retail sale of lures and the swap meet. He has room for about 30 vendors and 40 swappers and then several hundred people moving through the building. We had a free booth this 1ST show. We ran deals like buy 4 get one free. Show prices were under retail . We could do this as we had no overhead. You want deals on baits you have to eliminate the overhead. At Jason's show we sold between retail and wholesale. For any of you smaller manufacturers interested in getting into this show next year contact Jason NOW as those 30 booths are going fast. http://www.michiganmuskyshop.com/
Last I knew he had around a dozen vendors lined up so far. Mike |
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Location: MPLS, MN | I go for the seminars and talking to guys like Don Pursch, who gave me some great tips for Leech Lake last year.
The lures and all that are just secondary. I maybe buy 1 or 2 a year at the show, of which I probably don't need.
Also, agree that the pushy sales guys are annoying. There are a few booths I've learned not to even stop and look so I don't get cornered. |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | The one thing I would note is that there has to be space for the customers to get to speak with the vendors. I don't mean sit down and go through life of a fisherman, but be able to get the lures bought, ask the questions etc... Last year I walked out with money in my pocket that I was planning on spending but after 4 attempts could not get into the booth. We look forward to it all year, and right now popularity is at an all time high. It figures that crowds would swell. But what needs done at the show still needs to be able to happen. Space to get 'er done. |
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Posts: 59
Location: Chicago western burbs | We are a group of about 10. We live near the Chicago show, however, we have stopped attending. It is basically the same show each year.
For us we make the trip up to Milwaukee which is also basically the same show each year. The reason for this is quite simple. It is a social experience for us all. It is the same show as Chicago, only we can have some beers. We make an afternoon / early evening of it. We meet at the show. Have some beers, do a lot of talking about musky fishing, our upcoming trips, we talk to the vendors, attend the seminars, and have some good laughs. Than we usually head out for a dinner. If the Chicago show offered beer, we would be there. Until than, our group of 10 make a day of Milwaukee. |
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Posts: 193
Location: Mayer, MN | What about a muskiepalooza of sorts during the summer or during the open water season. Have it at a location near a lake, possibly a metro lake like Minnetonka for example. You could have your traditional show, booths, speakers, etc. in close proximity to the lake. Add on the water test rides of new boats and possibly have a tournament running during the show, with a live leader board, interviews, etc. Have a beer tent, live music. Buy a lure at the booth, back your boat in and catch a muskie. Have the DNR doing a stocking demonstration. Have a series of docks where you can test rods, reels, lures in real world conditions and not in a swimming pool. It could become a show/festival of sorts. Going to an indoor/outdoor muskie show on a warm summer day wearing shorts, with a nice breeze and a cold beer in my hand overlooking a lake sounds inviting.
Jason
Edited by lots of luck 3/28/2013 10:26 AM
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Posts: 3150
| has far hads pool demos go how bout one with 'trick shots' like off 4 rails or jumping the 8 etc |
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Posts: 3150
| a booth that does 'musky tatoos' would be cool but I dont think you can get around the health ord that most citys have
Ive always said there should be a booth with a lawyer offering services because most musky guys eventually encounter Divorce or Bankruptcy,,the lawyer could have a 'show deal' where if you sigh up for divorce proceedings you would get 'two' lures free..it would have to be two lures instead of one because the wife may get the one in the divorce.
The shows I think want to improve I know of 2 show promoters who are looking at this thread now,,,at the same time we should enjoy the shows becauise we dont know if we will have them in the future,,weve lost a couple,,the Lacrosse show,Stevens Point and others |
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Location: Maine Township, MN | lots of luck - 3/28/2013 10:21 AM
What about a muskiepalooza of sorts during the summer or during the open water season. Have it at a location near a lake, possibly a metro lake like Minnetonka for example. You could have your traditional show, booths, speakers, etc. in close proximity to the lake. Add on the water test rides of new boats and possibly have a tournament running during the show, with a live leader board, interviews, etc. Have a beer tent, live music. Buy a lure at the booth, back your boat in and catch a muskie. Have the DNR doing a stocking demonstration. Have a series of docks where you can test rods, reels, lures in real world conditions and not in a swimming pool. It could become a show/festival of sorts. Going to an indoor/outdoor muskie show on a warm summer day wearing shorts, with a nice breeze and a cold beer in my hand overlooking a lake sounds inviting.
Jason
This sounds like a blast! |
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| muskiepalooza sounds fun but were talking about ALOT of permits for tonka with booze,vending and good luck getting a tournament permit in the summer on tonka the Bass guys have them all locked up,,,They did something much smaller then this after a pmtt tonka event and it was poorly attended,,,its hard to get people to do this kind of sruff in summer |
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Location: Greenfield, WI | Jakejusa, I have been working the major shows for "too many" years. As a exhibitor with Slammer Crankbaits, we have the same issues that you have when the booth is monopolized by groups or individuals with a group that want to tell the complete story of every fish that they have ever caught.
My suggestion for you is to come to the show as early as you can on the first day of the show, and/or as the show opens up each day.
You likely know which booths that you want to visit. Instead of following the flow of the crowd, go the opposite direction of the flow or start at the far end of the show and walk it backwards.
Another option would be to walk the aisles during the most attended seminars, assuming that you can live without a particular seminar. Many times the exhibitors end up talking to each other during the most popular seminars.
Trust me the exhibitors want to talk to you as much as you want to talk to us!
Edited by Steve Van Lieshout 3/29/2013 5:15 PM
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Location: Mayer, MN | happy hooker - 3/29/2013 3:48 PM
muskiepalooza sounds fun but were talking about ALOT of permits for tonka with booze,vending and good luck getting a tournament permit in the summer on tonka the Bass guys have them all locked up,,,They did something much smaller then this after a pmtt tonka event and it was poorly attended,,,its hard to get people to do this kind of sruff in summer
Tonka was an idea. The location isn't as important as the ideas I am trying to generate. I happen to live 10 minutes from the lake, it popped into my head. Waconia regional park is ideal, not saying it needs to be there either, but what it offers is important. Large green open space, adjacent to ballroom that has a full bar, retrooms, level sandy beach and if they ever finish the last purchase of land they are planning another ramp and docks I believe. I volunteer with my snowmobile club for the worlds largest vintage snowmobile show at this location. In 2010 we had approximately 7000 paid entrants and our admission is 15 bucks on Saturday and 10 bucks on Sunday. If the product is good, people will pay we have found out, even after the price was raised. |
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| White Bear might work if it wasn't a sewer. There is a large VFW lakeside. They had a large tent for the govener's opener a few years back.Could probably fit a few hundred people at a time. Plug the holein that lake and pump some water back in, it would be a win/win.
Food trucks parked outside on Marshall Avenue would be a serious upgrade for the show experience in my opinion. The weather could be at the least tolerable. It would be like bringing the taste of Chicago to the public street just outside of the event.
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HOW TO IMPROVE THE MUSKY SHOWS