Thread: upcoming shows

Originally Posted by dubit

Yes, save yourself the drive. I was at the show yesterday and was severely disappointed. I suppose if I was into Motorcycles, RV's and 4 wheelers I would have had a great time.

Sorry to hear you were disappointed but I suppose you don't remember when the show was just a couple of tackle dealers, couple of boat and RV dealers, and few tourism booths in the Coliseum only and at 55,000 sq.ft big? That was the 60's. Now its over 650,000 sq ft big and will be larger next year with the Coliseum renovated and in 6-7 buildings. Sure,,you didn't see any Boat dealers from out of state, or big box stores selling discount tackle or baits as the show promoters are constantly striving to protect their local and Indiana state exhibitors. Since 9/11 the show has definitely changed. They lost more than 20 state tourism booths, and 6-7 boat dealers to name a few, but have worked very hard at keeping it all together as best as possible. With internet sales and communication, yep,,its cost them also,,in tourism booths, charter and fishing camp booths, and other sale areas also. The people that work to put it together are always striving to make it the best and so this year they are building on Crappie Seminars for the closing weekend. Something new they plan on makng bigger. Its hard for a ma and pa type bait shop, tackle shop, hunting shop, to leave their small business for 10 days also and strip their shop of product to take to the show after buying a booth, as well as costly for 10-12 days to run the booth as its over 90 hrs of show time in a booth and with the crowds beating u up,,a killer if you work it. Still,,,its a lot of bang for your buck. The guys that run the show are always receptive to new ideas, and constructive comments and can be contacted on their web site and feel free to do so. A full years work goes into planning, selling, promoting, and then setting the Indy Boat and Sports Show up and its larger than any other show especially in the Midwest and there for you to enjoy if you choose to do so. So enjoy it if you want. Its the only show in the state like it and will be gone for another year after this closing Sunday nite.

I like it still but tackle town is mostly high end products not as good as 5 years ago . I had just bought new depth finder with all the bells an whistles then side scan and down imaging coming out 6 mo s later can t have it all but they are great products fish don t have a chance any more