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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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Posts: 13688
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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Posts: 2337
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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Posts: 3488
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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Posts: 32900
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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Posts: 566
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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