Edmonton Boat and Sportsmen Show

[Positrac]

I must be easily impressed. I spent six hours there and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Nothing that I couldn’t walk away without but it sure beat walking through West Edmonton mall with the wife and kids. Lol.

[EZM]

I went this morning pretty much at the opening bell and spent a few hours walking through and talking to people. In terms of looking at all the boats - it's nice to see what's new and out there and look at how prices change year to year.

We also looked at a few lodges and outfitters and got some info - which is a pretty good way to ask all those questions to the people at the lodge you can't get from a website.

Overall - at $16 for parking and tickets for 3 of us - it wasn't a cheap date but didn't break the bank either.

I do get annoyed at the few booths of people trying to pedal/trick/close on you to buy their "revolutionary invention" or "snake oil" junk. My favourite was the plastic bracelet that cures cancer, diabetes, heart disease, feeds the poor and cures the blind. I actually laughed and ran away from the lady who was trying to cut me off and get in front of me as she was rambling on and on and on .... like a telemarketer but in real life.

At least you get up and out of the house and get out for a walk.

[pikeslayer22]

Went today and was pleasantly surprised.

[Monica B]

Originally Posted by EZM

At least you get up and out of the house and get out for a walk.

Is it icy in your neighborhood?

[KegRiver]

I've only been to the Edmonton show once. That was when I was a moderator and I went as part of that work. I didn't get a lot of time to look around.

What I did see was impressive, compared to the shows I go to.

I do think there could be more, new/innovative products, but the costs are too high for a start up company to afford space at the big shows. Not just Edmonton. It's all of the big shows I have looked into.


I checked into what it would cost me for space at one of the big shows, it's way more then I can afford. I wish I could afford a table there but I don't sell enough in a year much less at one show, to be able to pay for such a venue.

Not complaining, just saying, there might be more if the little guys could afford a table.

But it's not just the cost of a table, there is as mentioned, parking, and for out of town exhibitors, there is lodging, food, and travel to a from the show each day. And there can be staff wages as well. Plus specialized show displays and such. It all costs money that has to come from income made at the shows or it doesn't make sense to do it from a exhibitors point of view.
All things considered, it's just more then I'm willing to take a chance on. The city traffic, the much higher associated costs, the possibility of running out of stock for the other shows.

I honestly don't get why people complain about the exhibits at any show. No one is being forced to go. If you like that sort of thing, great, if not, no one is offended if you don't stop and buy something.

From an exhibitors point of view, I don't do shows to entertain people or to give away free stuff. I do it to promote my product and because I meet a lot of amazing people at the shows.

Isn't that what trade shows are meant to for?

Maybe instead of complaining, if people offered suggestions, perhaps the shows would get better instead of disappearing as many have.

I know of two that were dropped this year alone.

[Sportsman]

Keg, what is it you sell?

[brslk]

I went last year but have no intention of going to see the same thing this year. Plus the idea of paying $20 to park and $15 to get in, then not even getting any discount on buying something (it's usually about 5-10% more to cover their costs).

I'd rather just keep that money and buy whatever I want/need in a store or more likely online.

Frankly, due to parking and admission charges I don't go to anything at the Expo center anymore.

[TimeOff]

What KegRiver said! Should be glad to have these type of events available to go to. If you want to complain about something, complain about the weather…

[warriorboy10]

City trying to claw back the huge deficit left when Northlands over built the Expo Centre when they did the Reno’s. Costs more for parking than the show itself. Surprised it isn’t 16 bucks for each person in the vehicle. Sickening really!!

[AB2506]

The Calgary Sportsman show has been in steady decline since the mid 80s. It was awesome back then. When our kids were small in the 2000s they enjoyed it, mainly for the trout pond, the minnow races, the Bird of Prey display from Taber, and the AHEIA display. Now that they are adults, not so interested. Ski boats and quads dominate.

[Mr Flyguy]

Couldn't make it this year but still sorting through brochures and pamphlets collected over the last three visits!

If anyone goes to the Gibbons Motor Toy display was wondering what the sticker price is for the 32 ft offshore Kingfisher craft, maroon coloured unit. I know, if you have to ask you can't afford it but just curious. I'm guessing ~$300k.

[Oldan Grumpi]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

How much for a bushel of pot seeds and how many lbs to the acre do you have to seed it?

I wonder if it's Roundup- ready?

[Freedom55]

An old American standby.

[sirmike68]

I have bought a quad, boat, and boat trailer previous years. The show always was the best price.

[ctd]

I Miss Hunt Fest that happened out of the Casino grounds. That was a good outdoorsman show.

Red Deer seems to be building a better show each year.

[pikeslayer22]

Originally Posted by ctd

I Miss Hunt Fest that happened out of the Casino grounds. That was a good outdoorsman show.

Red Deer seems to be building a better show each year.

This was no huntfest but a hell of a lot better than years previous of boat and sportsman show. No travel trailers...2.5 halls of boats and quads and the rest booths and hunting/fishing equipment/apparel. Kuiu had a booth set up with most of their stuff to try on prior to ordering. Didn’t care for the parking price or admission but better than going out to a movie or casino in my world.

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by Sportsman

Keg, what is it you sell?

I sell a mount for trail cameras. My own invention, with help from AO members.
I manufacture them myself.

I run an add in the Alberta Outdoorsman magazine.

[Attilathecanuk]

Took my two younger kids and one of their friends and had a great time climbing on the boats, pricing out quads and mowers, played the fishing and shooting games and speaking with many cool outdoor people. An expensive day but worth it.

[fallen1817]

I took my wife and son yesterday, and we enjoyed ourselves. We skipped the first two pavilions... We have no intentions of buying a boat, but was impressive to look at what was there as we walked past.

Highlight of the day was helping my son shoot his first bow at the AHEIA booth. He loved it, but as with all parents helping their kids, I think I was far more excited about it than he was!

Seemed like a good variety of booths to look at, but someone mentioned before... No bows! I would have picked up a dozen or two arrows if they were being sold on site, but no such luck.

J

[Sooner]

Went Sat morning, same old show but I enjoy it. Don't like the rip off parking is but oh well. No real deals for anything I wanted. Got a couple draws in. Looked at some if I had a million dollar items lol.

Pursued the vendors.


Wanted to listen to Rich Mellons trapping seminar but the guys I was with had to go.

[CamoDerrick]

Interesting the amount of poor reviews from the show this year. I thoroughly enjoyed myself again this year. I was at the show 3 out of the 4 days. Wish I could have made it 4 out of 4.

- I parked outside of Northlands and walked in, parking was free every day.
- I purchased a membership to Edmonton Fish and Game association at the show last year, and was sent 2 free tickets to the show this year. So entry was "free" for me too. The membership is of course associated with Alberta Fish and Game so I get all the perks yearly there too, plus support my local club. The same deal was offered at EFGA this year, so I bought the yearly membership again. Free tickets next year .
- I volunteered at a couple of the not-for-profit conservation groups in Hall A throughout the weekend. Volunteers can also receive free admission all weekend. Perhaps more of you should try that?
- One area I helped out with this year was the Kids Trout Fishing pond. It's a pretty fun experience to help take a kid's first fish off of the hook, and congratulate them (and their parents). A lot of these kids have never had the opportunity to try fishing.
- I was also able to find a great deal on a mid-sized day hiking pack for $30. Full waist harness and everything. Literally six other friends of mine bought the same pack because it was such a good deal.

Just sharing my good experience.