Sportsman Show

Id like to see all the people who have such negative reviews about the show to not complain on a internet chat room but rather write into the show organizers themselves... Trust me guys and girls they don't read the forums cause they really don't care.. So instead of saying how its falling apart and too expensive and too many garbage vendors (fudge etc) write your thoughts to Saj from the show, or any of the other organizers..
Everyone complains about he fudge vendors but to be honest those guys are always full and seem to be the only ones who make money, so someone at that show likes fudge lol.
Don't get me wrong I have had a booth there myself for several years, we have all put up with the venue changing year after year, and we even put up with the venue hosting date change, but when the prices of the booths keeps going up and they decided to make the show shorter in length it just couldn't be justified anymore.
What this show needs is direct input from everyone that wants to keep our Great Canadian Show alive (is you)... I have been going to the show since I was a kid and would hate to see it go.
So please instead of the vendors always sending in complaints to the show organizers maybe they need to see some complaints from the attendees and show visitors... It gets tough seeing the same negative response every year and I hope this show stays around

End of my rant lol

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Originally Posted by Luke Scherders

I have been going to the show since I was a kid

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You mean in the days where we didn't have MEC, SAIL, BPS, Cabelas, online reviews, websites, and pinpoint display advertising?

The show could be a lot more. Like Luke said we also stopped going because at the price of the booth space there was no way to even come close to recouping our expenses. Unfortunately a lot of the smaller shows have a pricing structure that makes it prohibitive to even break even as well.

I assume that the show organizers watch these threads but it would not hurt to make you views known to the organizers. We as exhibitors have, maybe with more voices they will be heard.

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Originally Posted by muskokaguy

You mean in the days where we didn't have MEC, SAIL, BPS, Cabelas, online reviews, websites, and pinpoint display advertising?

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of course any regional show cant compare to the SHOT Show but there is something to be said to wander around for a day and talk to the various industry reps and hands on check out the new products out every year.

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Originally Posted by bardern

there is something to be said to wander around for a day and talk to the various industry reps and hands on check out the new products out every year.

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Sorry, I forgot to include YouTube.

My review of the Sportsman Show 2015.

My buddy, my boys and I attended on the Friday the 6th. Upon entering the building it did look like there was more room in the aisles and a few less vendor/displays. We made our way down to the hunting area to start our walk through the building in a aisle by aisle manner. With noticeably fewer people it made our touring fairly nice. We where able to look at and inspect many things for longer. We where able to talk to some of the vendors or people at various booths for longer. We where able to find out information that we wanted to know without feeling like we where being rushed.


We met up with an o'le buddy of mine Stewart and his wife Donna who own and operate Agich's Kaby Kabins out of Hornepayne Ont. Talked with them for quite a while. It was their first time doing the show and while it was slow they were still doing business. While talking with them I ran into another o'le buddy from up north that I hadn't seen in about 30yrs. More talk of the old days. Chatted with Jay/Caltek for a bit as well. Always good to see him and talk a bit. We met a few board members there also and had a good chat with Rod from KMG Canada. Talked with Amanda Lynn Mayhew for quite a bit and may have got her hooked on the home smoked goose jerky I brought with me. Had a coupla chats with Adrian as we always have a few things to talk about. Took in the Beasley's seminar and had some good jaw wagg'in with Keith and Kevin afterwards. By the time we reached the end of the building it was after 7:00pm. Apparently according to my buddy and my boys I talk way to much.


Now for the 1 hour dash to make a few purchases of items we deemed necessary. My youngest picked himself up a knife and a throwing tomahawk for $20.00. His cash to do with what he wanted and figured he had made a good deal. Then he picked up 2 -100ft chunks of para chord for $20.00. I picked up some seasonings for pepperettes and jerky. A few other items and we left shortly after closing time.

I brought a small cooler bag down with some of the goose jerky, goose summer sausage, goose pepperettes, venison pepperettes and bear pepperettes that I made and smoked from the fall seasons success. Shared with many of the people I knew and some new folks and seemed to get pretty good reviews on my efforts. Even left some for buddy from Carlo's meats as he wasn't there till Saturday. I usually pick up some bacon from him when I see him at the shows and mentioned that I would leave some goose summer sausage for him to try at our next meeting. Hoping his dad didn't eat it on him.

So yes!!! The show was smaller, less hunting gear, less people etc. Did we have a good time? YES! Did we Have a great father/son day out? YOU BET! Did we enjoy our seeing old friends and meeting new people? YES! Did we pick up a few items that we deemed as a good deal? YES! Mission accomplished and will be in attendance next year. 2 hour drive each way, family ticket for $45.00 ( a savings of $19.00), underground parking $14.00.I've said this before and will say it now again that I know people who didn't go because there are no deals. people I know won't go because of the $19.00 ticket and $14.00 parking but would go to " Horties" 4-5 times a day for their double/double. They smoke a pack or two per day and drink beer @ $3 or $4 bucks each at the bar, spend little to no time with their kids. Then how everything that goes on sucks. I know some vendors and outfitters that didn't go because of the booth costs and can surely understand this fact as from what I have been told it's very costly.

In my Sportsman Show review last year I mentioned that so many complain about the lack of a decent show anymore. I asked that these folks combine their efforts to organise and put on a better/really good show. Maybe an alternative venue? I don't know? I mentioned I would be the first to purchase tickets but have not as of yet seen the flyer advertising such an event. If you don't or didn't like the show contact the organising committee and voice your complaints with constructive criticism instead of bashing. Maybe, ya never know what could happen.

outback

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Originally Posted by outback

In my Sportsman Show review last year I mentioned that so many complain about the lack of a decent show anymore. I asked that these folks combine their efforts to organise and put on a better/really good show. Maybe an alternative venue? I don't know? I mentioned I would be the first to purchase tickets but have not as of yet seen the flyer advertising such an event. If you don't or didn't like the show contact the organising committee and voice your complaints with constructive criticism instead of bashing. Maybe, ya never know what could happen.

outback

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Nice review.
During the 80s, it was a giant fair. A complete carnival for the outdoorsman.
It lost that.
And now the magic is gone.
Unfortunately, you can't get that back in today's online world.

Also unfortunately, everything is brand recognition. The Sportsmans Show is a brand. When people hear the name or this show being advertised, they remember what it WAS compared to what it has become.

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Originally Posted by outback

We met up with an o'le buddy of mine Stewart and his wife Donna who own and operate Agich's Kaby Kabins out of Hornepayne Ont. Talked with them for quite a while. It was their first time doing the show and while it was slow they were still doing business. While talking with them I ran into another o'le buddy from up north that I hadn't seen in about 30yrs. More talk of the old days. Chatted with Jay/Caltek for a bit as well. Always good to see him and talk a bit. We met a few board members there also and had a good chat with Rod from KMG Canada. Talked with Amanda Lynn Mayhew for quite a bit and may have got her hooked on the home smoked goose jerky I brought with me. Had a coupla chats with Adrian as we always have a few things to talk about. Took in the Beasley's seminar and had some good jaw wagg'in with Keith and Kevin afterwards. By the time we reached the end of the building it was after 7:00pm. Apparently according to my buddy and my boys I talk way to much.

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My experiences as well..always enjoy myself ..good review !!

Outback...didn't you get interviewed for TV (?) at the show a few years back ?

I loved the show when I was a kid .all the boats atvs and tons of gun dealers .dogs doing all kinds of stuff .we could spend the day and have a great time with the family ,I have not been in at least 5 years .Dutch

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Originally Posted by MikePal

My experiences as well..always enjoy myself ..good review !!

Outback...didn't you get interviewed for TV (?) at the show a few years back ?

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Yuppers sure did. The Weather Network. Weather Network then search videos, type in "Duck Dynasty Wannabe". I didn't pick the title. It was kinda fun time doing that one. I asked if it would be on tv and they said yes the edited version.

outback