2016 Toronto Sportsman show on the move and back to March

[Foxx]

X2 !!!

It will be much better during the March school break and therefore more families can be involved.

[TurkeyRookie]

I'll let the locals sample it and report back before I make the drive down there, free parking to get fudge and pepperettes isn't exactly enticing, allot more needs to be brought back to the show.

[x_xeon_x]

Who would want to:

1) Come to Toronto
2) Drive in Downtown Toronto on the QEW/Gardiner/DVP anytime from 5:30am-11pm
3) Pay $14 for parking
4) Pay $20 per person to get in to find out the exhibitors don't have any good deals on and you could have saved $20 by visiting their store
5) Try to drive out of Toronto on the QEQ/Gardiner/DVP anytime from 5:30am-11pm

They might have a better chance now.

[MikePal]

Who would want to:

1) Come to Toronto

stop stop stop...that's as far as that list has to go....LOL.

everything I could ever hope for is available on-line to my mail box....

everything that is new is available to see on a youtube video from the comfort of my chair...

So a show has to be special, something with some "wow" to get me inside. Hopefully they are starting to see that.

[Brampton Mike]

Well it's about time.....now if they can get rid of the flea market atmosphere and bring it back to a "Sportsman" show then i might start going again as the venue is about 10 minutes from me!

[mbmellis]

Excellent. Had given up on it and will happily try again.

[BDH]

stop stop stop...that's as far as that list has to go....LOL.

everything I could ever hope for is available on-line to my mail box....

everything that is new is available to see on a youtube video from the comfort of my chair...

So a show has to be special, something with some "wow" to get me inside. Hopefully they are starting to see that.

Mike is right on this....

All shows are suffering in attendance and this internet is a good reason why. Deals, unless a dealer has inventory that has become obsolete it will not occur. The big box stores with buying power will have deals and you will not see them at a show of this nature. The internet will have deals, the big stores have the deals, the small ma and pops have service. Chances are you have already shopped on line, know a cost and when the time is right will buy. We are far more educated consumers now. do to the internet.

The advantage of a show is the ability to see an item, put your hands on it, ask questions, and if the price is reasonable you purchase it. The vendors at show have the same issue, booth space, set up and take down time, extra staff to man booth cost them money. The best they can hope for is exposure, create a name for the costumer and pray the exposure will lure the customer back.

To enhance the show, they need seminars, attractions for FAMILIES to see. We want to get the best bang for our admission, travel expenses to the show.

Many years ago there was fashion shows, casting competitions, working dog demonstrations, the Golden Whistle, the MNR had a huge display of wildlife. Break a way shows such as the fishing show, the hunting show, the cottage show and the boating show have impacted on the Sportsman Show that was once 10 days.

The move may be a positive for the show, but I believe they are still going to need to put on presentations, and attractions for entertainment that can not be found on the internet. They need to out do taking your family to Bass Pro or Cabela's for a day.

I was told that the cancellation of the golden whistle was do to the costs of setting up the arena (pegged at $25000.00), and the lack of audience in the stands to watch. When they cancelled that , I told them there was little need for dog clubs to attend, and that hunting and dogs went together. If you want a hunting hall then you need hunting dogs to complete your show.

I wonder what the lease is now with the Fishing Show and Andy. I wish both Walter and Andy luck in the future.

Shows were once a great place to take the family for a day.

Dick

[Savage308]

Years ago when we supported the Atv clubs the wife and I used to help run the booth over the entire weekend. I completely hated the set up in Toronto convention center and felt horrible for the dogs that had to use escalators to go take a leek. I haven't bothered with it for the last 3 years but maybe since it's moving, I might go for a look see. Savage308

[duckslayer]

Def a step in the right direction but like it has been said they need to overhaul a lot more to get it back to what it was. I'll see what the reviews are next year and if enough positive comes out of it I will start to attend again. As of right now I have completely gave up on any of these types of shows (flee markets).

[trimmer21]

Any time that an event/show like this moves out of the downtown Toronto area is a smart move. The International Center is in Peel Region that certainly doesn't have the very negative connotation with shooting sports and hunting and fishing that the City of Toronto has from many years of over-regulation and downright hostility. Next years show should be excellent with much larger display areas and convenient family-friendly atmosphere. This is Toronto's loss and it's what they amply deserve.