BC Boat & Sportsmen’s Show
The 2014 edition of the BC Boat & Sportsmen’s Show and BC Hunting Show saw record-high attendance and very well-attended seminars, making it another successful year for these two long-standing shows. The shows took place March 7-9, at TRADEX in Abbotsford.
The BC Boat & Sportsmen’s Show celebrated its 23rd anniversary; while the BC Hunting Show had its 11th edition. Between the two shows, the combined total of visitors for 2014 was just over 34,600 – an increase of approximately 3% over last year.
“The BC Boat & Sportsmen’s Show/BC Hunting Show is like a candy store for sportsmen and sportswomen enthusiasts – all under one roof!” said Show Manager Les Trendall. “The buzz in the aisles was that our guests could hardly wait to use the products and services they purchased at the show!”
More than 275 exhibitors and seminars were showcased, and visitors were impressed with the tremendous displays of boating, fishing and hunting supplies. Exhibitors remarked on this increase in traffic, along with the fact that the audience was there to shop. Reports of brisk sales and solid leads abounded:
“This is the third year that the BC Camping & RVing Coalition has exhibited,” said Anne Philley, BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association. “The show is a tremendous success for us as we distribute over 5,000 camping packages to attendees. With record-breaking attendance each year, we always look forward to participating in the next show.”
“The show was very busy – it seems to grow in numbers every year,” said Victor Camele, Italian Sporting Good Ltd. “I noticed people spent more money this year; I definitely had more buyers, which was nice. Overall I think the show was very well promoted.”
“I'll be back next year for sure!” said Dean Meikle, Swabbies. “The show itself was well advertised and the event staff were great.”
“As first time exhibitors, we were pleasantly surprised at the high attendance levels,” said Josh Littler, Artisan Custom Log Homes. “Our log home booth stayed consistently busy throughout the weekend with a number of very promising leads and we plan to return to the show next year.”
“We experienced very good retail this year; better than previous years – our phone has been ringing since right after the show,” said Brendan Keys, GA Checkpoint. “There was great traffic flow, right up to the last hour. The seminars were excellent this year and really helped keep people in the building.”
The 2014 seminar series included more than 50 seminars on the Rapala Pro-Fishing, 2014 Pro-Hunting and Toyota Trucks World of Fly Casting Stages, which were entertaining, informative, and well-attended. A particular highlight of the weekend was the legendary Wayne Carlton (Montrose, CO), who presented “Game Calling at its Best”.
Congratulations to Justin Desnoyers of Surrey, BC, our grand prize winner. Justin won a 2014 Sea-doo Spark, generously provided by Greater Vancouver Powersports & BRP!
We also congratulate:
- Jason Pearson of Male Ridge, BC, winner of a Stoney Creek Fishing Adventure on Douglas Lake Ranch;
- Anna Larsen of Langley, BC, winner of an Osoyoos Weekend Adventure at NK'MIP RV Resort;
- Seth Nussbaum of Chilliwack, BC, winner of a Vancouver Island Getaway, courtesy of Camping & RV BC;
- Michael Dubeau of Langley, BC, winner of the Gold Panning with Yukon Dan prize; and
- Pete Peters of Chilliwack, BC; William Dunn of Chilliwack, BC; Jonathan Kick of Delta, BC; andCathy Gordy of Prince George, BC; winners of Chylan Outdoor Survival Packs.
Stay tuned to www.BCBoatandSportsmenShow.ca for details on the March 6-8, 2015 edition of the BC Boat & Sportsmen’s Show and the BC Hunting Show.