How about in 2010 you separate all the vendors based on subject? Put fishing in one area, hunting in another and outdoor stuff in another. Also put all the non outdoor/non fishing booths in the same area. That way the visitors can concentrate on what they want to see and skip the areas they are not interested in. Go a step further and if a guy only wants to see the fishing portion then sell him a fishing ticket and same with the other stuff. At the end of the show you can count ticket sales from each section and see just who your core target audience needs to be in 2011. The proof will be right there in black and white. You could also have a multipass that covers all three areas.
Fact is you bought into a show that has had some negativity to it whether real or imagined and unfortunately I think it hurt you guys a bit. I hated to see you pay for the mistakes of the past but I applaud you for coming on and asking what can you do to improve. You have one of the best assets in all of the outdoor industry right here in the TFF and THF. I HIGHLY suggest you hire a local consultant to help plan next year. I think someone like JP Greeson could help bring this thing back together and improve your turnouts. Thats just my take and good luck for 2010. I know I will have an open mind to what you are doing.

solid ideas Mark

So many great ideas above. I know the 5 dollar parking was ripped on here, but if there was more inside that people wanted to see, it wouldn't be an issue. The tank needs to be back in the middle. There need to almost constant demos going on there. If you get a lot of the smaller bait companies, I'm sure they would love to demo their products in there. The seminars need to be every 30 minutes and you need to get Pros, guides and local tournament stars in there that people WANT to see. You need to do whatever you have to to get the other dealers back. We need Fun-N-Sun, Brannans and other dealers back. That way, they compete with each other and the people at the show get GREAT deals and keep coming out. Manufacturers NEED to be there. You should be able to go to a booth and talk to reps from Shimano, Daiwa, Garcia, Quantum, etc. and get your questions answered by people who are paid to know what they are talking about. Price the booths to get as many small lure makers at this show. These guys are great to talk to and knowledgable. Fisherman LOVE to talk. This forum proves that. If more people are there to talk to, they stay longer, they buy more. Good for everybody, if not for our wallet. I love the idea of a multiple day pass. I also love the idea of separating the fishing, hunting and miscellaneous stuff to let people choose the areas they want to concentrate on.
I went out yesterday and enjoyed myself, even though the show was smaller than last year. It was great to talk to Lindy Roberts. He's always has great stories to tell. Great to meet JP and Tritonman at the TFF booth. Dave Blank, great to see you there. Thanks to Stan Browning and Tommy Climer at the Delos booth. I always learn something from them. More and better for next year Franklin. The people on TFF will always be up front with you. This is your core audience for the show. Make us happy!

Like it or not, all the "junk" vendors make it possible for all the other vendors to attend. If they didnt pay the booth fees, prices would be even higher for the hunting and fishing vendors.

They will not want to be seperated because they wont get any traffic.They know this and will not sign on if they are all grouped together.

Its like all the worthless stuff you have to pass in the grocery store just to get to the stuff you want. It will always be this way just like "junk" vendors at trade shows.

Franklin and Bron,

Thanks again for all that you guy's di this weekend. there are lot's of good suggestions already but I will add a couple. I have done this show for the past few years and there is always room for ideas.

1. Is Thursday at 2 pm needed as a start time? Seems every year on Thursday there is hardly anybody there due to work and by time they get off and have dinner it is to late to go out and get up for work the next morning. Never really was a great turnout on Thursday. What about just making it Friday through Sunday and close the show at 3 pm instead of 5 pm after 2 it is always dead especally when there is a cowboys game.

2. Have sheets of paper that vedors could put ads on and announce over the PA system on specials or to let the crowd know where that vendors booth is.

3. Offer smaller booth sizes for cheaper prices. A few of the other shows I do offer a 5x5 booth and for some vedors that is plenty of space. I like the 10x10 but it is a little pricey.

4. Make out a map to pass out to attendees so they know where all the vendors are. I had tons of people ask me where certain vendors were and had to point htem in the right direction.

These are just a few and I am sure there are more. I think for the 1st year that you guy's did the best you could with what you were given. As many have said the economy played a big role in the bad turnout. I am sure next year it will be a whole different ballgame and I am looking forward to being there again. Thanks again to all that came by.

Scott

Thanks for the input...we are adding all these ideas on our 2010 planning board...please know since we have a achved a watermark now we can start rising the tide...
Thanks,
Franklin

BTW... I want to realy thank Brian Hughes...he did a over & beyond job for us...glad to have him on our team.
Franklin

Thanks for all your input on the 2009 Texas Fishing Hunting and Outdoors Show. We have put all info on a chart and are working on the 2010 plan.Please feel free at any time to contact us via e-mail,phone or stop in our office.
Pleas let me know if you will be attending the Dallas Boat Show....we have something for you.
Franklin

One thing I don't like is the split rooms. I remember going several years ago as a customer and hardly spent anytime in the room without the tank. This year I was in the Delo Custom Tackle Booth (in the room without the tank) and it worked out because he was about the only complete tackle store there. I think the tackle companies, large and small, need to be in the same room as the tank.

I have to disagree with one of the posts above. I think it does need to be Thursday-Sunday. The 2nd biggest sales day for us was on Thursday.

If I could suggest one thing it would be fishing, fishing and more fishing. When the show was at Big Town it was almost exclusively fishing and I for one loved it. My friends and I dont hunt much, plus we are not really interested in all the gadgets, jewelry etc... Have a whole bunch of tackle vendors, dealers, boats, factory boys and all that, we will be there.

I agree with Champion 1. My buddies and I haven't attended the last 2 years because of the swing away from fishing. We enjoyed the show when it was at Big Town a great deal more.

Thanks guys...we will add your input. Our Goal....Best show in the Southwest.
BTW bron and I will be attending several other shows...any suggestions of ones we should look at would be great.
Franklin

Hope it only gets better. I pm'd ya my thoughts hope to see ya guys next year, and hopefully there will be some fine tuning on it.

TNT Slabs,
Thanks for your e-mail...we are spreading out all the input. After the Dallas Boat Show we will post updated 2010 ideas/plans.
Franklin

Offer companies an option where part of their booth rent is paid in product to handout to the attendees.





brent