NW sports show

Anyone go? Was it like last year where it was kinda empty?

Just wondering if I missed anything awesome that I knew I never needed.

Haven’t gone since pre-pandemic. I can’t imagine you missed anything.

I worked there Friday. It was busier than last year. Half the floor was RV’s

I went and learned a few things…
I didn’t know that Skeeters lineup changed to the death of the WX 2200 and the birth of the 2260 model. The new Alumacrafts look huge and have very clean lines on the transom. Also learned that shettt isn’t cheap anymore.

Went with wife and kids Saturday am. Fairly busy.
I’d say 1/3 of the floor was RVs. About 4-5 rows were retail/ exhibition and about 1/2 was boats and docks.
Didn’t really check out many boats because prices are just too much, especially in our crazy economy right now. Skeeter display had 4 2060s lined up together- thought that was overkill.
RV area had tons of couples type campers too. We wanted to see more family friendly bunkhouse styles, since this used to be a family geared show.
Retail was too busy to look around a lot. I only saw 3 big names down there. Joes, Reeds, and Thornes. Nothing like it used to be.
Not even a lot of booths like each rod manufacturer and rapala type booths. I was hoping to pick Berkley’s mind on discontinuing my favorite line.
All in all, had a good walk around, but not what it used to be when I worked there a few years ago.

The Northwest Sportshow is probably 60% of what it was 4 years ago. I have gone every year since I can remember. The convention center has 4 domes. Last year and this year only 3 were used, and 1 was entirely RV’s. It used to be that the main hallways, entrance areas, and adjoining meeting rooms were full of booths, but as last year the only room outside the main exhibit hall was the Ducks Unlimited room. This year opening day was senior day, we all got in free! I suspect a number of issues going on, us baby boomers are getting older and suspect attendance has been falling. The St. Paul Sportshow was cancelled a few years back for good. Secondly consolidation in the industry has disrupted the exhibitors whereas Lund, Crestliner, Lowrance and Mercury are all owed by Brunswick. This has probably affected pricing as there were very few Show deals anymore. Add it all up and suspect the pricing to exhibit has really gone up as I thought there were less outfitter and resorts again this year. I was surprised at the number of Canadian and Alaskan lodges exhibiting. I usually leave dropping at least $200, only spent $50, plus buying a round for my friends and I was about $35.00.

Went yesterday for a few hours with three buddies and we were mainly checking out resorts. Could only stay for a 2-3 hours because a couple of the guys needed to get home for stuff. I hadn’t been there since pre-covid and I too noticed it was smaller. There used to be only a row or two of RVs but it was a big part of the show this year.

I went and was very disappointed and won’t be back. Seemed small, tons of rv, nothing new. Boat show seemed much better.

Dont they already have a big RV show? If so, why are they devoting that much space to RVs, to fill space because it has gotten so small? Scheels wasnt there? That would be disappointing and surprising.

Capra’s was also at all the shows pre-covid, now with them out of business it creates another void. What about Marine General from Duluth, were they there?

The show is also where I would be my large American flags every year.

From what I was told the RV show was bought out by camping world so it only had CW product and other retailers were locked out so they had interest in space for a show.

Only really Reeds, Joes and Thorn this year as Marine General was getting small and frustrated with the show, Capra’s closed and Scheels never attended, Cabela’s would maybe have a small booth with not merchandise to sell just some coupons and maybe they even had some boats years ago before BPS.

I knew several people working at various vendors and bought some new lures and line that are not on store shelves yet and got a screaming deal on a rod and reel from Reeds. I usually stop down after work and this year is was $5 after 5:00 Pm so fairly cheap evening walk about.

CBMN wrote:

From what I was told the RV show was bought out by camping world so it only had CW product and other retailers were locked out so they had interest in space for a show.

That makes sense thanks!

We went on Sunday and thought it was fine, makes sense to me there would be a large space devoted to campers since its the “sport show” and not the “boat show”. Seemed to be fairly well attended, but not super busy. Didn’t see much as far as actual deals go, was that a bigger part of the show in the past?

I thought the new Alumacrafts looked nice, lots of casting space in the back. Still a tough sell for me vs. glass options with pricing where its at.

mnfisherman18 wrote:

Didn’t see much as far as actual deals go, was that a bigger part of the show in the past?

That is why I have a hard time going. The deals are ok but not that great. It used to pretty common to find 20% off items, now mostly 10%.

I think the show has always struggled to define what it is. Since it is a family show, the kids probably loved walking through the campers displayed there.

I read that the show was sold to the same company that puts on the Home and Garden show, so that might also explain the differences.

I don’t know, I haven’t really got that much out of the show in years. The only years I have liked it and the boat show were the years I was on the market for a new boat. Otherwise, it’s all just kind of blah to me.

Back when I was a kid, the show was great because I lived and breathed fishing and didn’t have the options available today to be surrounded by it. Today I can watch YouTube videos, etc.

I read that the show was sold to the same company that puts on the Home and Garden show, so that might also explain the differences.

That is accurate. The show concept is a hard one now. Not much to show when everything has a video on the internet about anything to show. I worked at a booth and walked around some. I take it for what it is now and walk around mingle with some fishing folks. Check out some boats bend a few rods and such for fun and try a few snacks.

We went Saturday right away. Good crowd in my opinion. Just go to walk around, kill a few hours see new things get ideas….. My son’s aim was another Trika rod which he bought so mission accomplished. I have only been there the last two years so not much experience with size. Lots of campers though, yes

The RV dealers at the show were part of the metro ever dealers association that used to have a show at US Bank stadium. Ever since camping world bought half the RV dealers in the state, they don’t put on much of a show imo.
For us old timers, I remember quite a few rvs at the show 30 years ago, when you could spend all day at the show, get great deals on merchandise and walk out with a bag full of brochures from tons of resorts and chambers of commerce.
With the space they have down there, I wish they would spread out the retailers across the back a bit so you had more room to navigate. I know it costs so much for a ten foot booth, but it’s by far the biggest draw.

Yep, I hadn’t been in years and was hoping to grab some trolling stuff from Marine General…unfortunately as stated, they weren’t there…ended up getting a couple line counter reels at Reeds for about 30% off…also snagged a vex fl30x with a sweet custom carrying case, lithium battery and charger for $450…which seemed like a pretty screaming deal…

My dad and I starting going back when it was in the armory I think. If I remember right it ran two weekends or maybe even a week back then. I haven’t been for at least a dozen years. The last time was when my son was little. He managed to score a bunch of freebies before it was time to go. Since then the shine pretty much wore off, and each year was exactly the same stuff and same people. It was just easier to go to Thorne Bro’s or Capara’s and get the same pricing with better service, but without the crowds, parking and ticket price.

I grabbed a few highlights of the show. Some fun new stuff and boats prices just keep going up!

Good video ^^
Somehow I missed the cocktail booth!

Thanks 3Rivers,
This is the stuff I had to miss on account of my friends needing to leave early. Strap Lizzard is a neat idea, but not sure it’s worth it if you have 20+ straps like me. I just take some time to roll them up and they store OK.

Not sure what the price is on the Bunkhouse Boat? I’m sure it’s not cheap but might be a fun retirement thing or something.

Will have to look for Summer Lakes cocktail mix, too. That lady was a good saleswoman.

ThunderLund78 wrote:

Not sure what the price is on the Bunkhouse Boat? I’m sure it’s not cheap but might be a fun retirement thing or something.

He had $140k on that bunkhouse boat. Seems like a lot, but I’d rather have that than the flagship Skeeter or Vexus at around the same price.