Harrisburg Sports Show boycott??

[redriver]

I have gotten news late today from some industry sources that The Harrisburg Outdoor show may be in jeopardy? Apparantly the show promoter created a firestorm by not allowing "assault styled" weapons and products this year. This is one of the largest outdoor shows in the country and by far the largest on the East coast. I hear that several large vendors including Cabelas, Realtree & 60 others have pulled out in protest and the issue is now snowballing into a major deal in this part of the country. The list of vendors pulling out is growing by the day. If anyone has any other news about this please share as some safari operators that participate on this board may not be aware of the situation.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Also heard of what Reed expositions did, as an outfitter that has been attending the eastern outdoor show for the last 13 years I simply can not afford to Boycot the show, even though I might not agree the financial and time investment is far to great for me to not attend, flights hotels booth brochures furniture it all adds up...

My best always

 

[LouisB]

Jaco Boet

Your right I don't want to bad mouth any of the shows but it would seem that we are investing large amounts of money to do our marketing on a yearly basis and I am simply disappointed with some of them traffic wise.

I realize that the US economy is not doing great but in saying this would it kill them to market the shows a bit more and increase public awareness?

It would seem that DSC has done a great job of that.

I for one will be re evaluating doing some of the show since this adds to costs that we have to pass on the our clients and I for one would rather have my clients benefit out of less marketing fees and donations...........

We have to make a living and our clients also have to protect their livelyhoods!

This might be something to think about for sure.

Best Regards
Louis van Bergen

 

[Dinsdale]

Most of the celebrities have pulled out and around 180 exhibitors....

Reed started editing their site today deleting the 2 major show sponsors; Cabela's and Outdoor Channel along with celebrity profiles.

The list is here and is still growing and updated;

ESOS Boycott Supporters | My Northeast Outdoors

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Most of the celebrities have pulled out and around 180 exhibitors....

Reed started editing their site today deleting the 2 major show sponsors; Cabela's and Outdoor Channel along with celebrity profiles.

The list is here and is still growing and updated;

ESOS Boycott Supporters | My Northeast Outdoors

From the website for the show there were supposed to be 1100 exhibitors. If 180 have pulled out, that's in excess of 15% by my math. If that doubles in the next 10 days or so, I think Reed Expos will start to reconsider this poor decision. This will have future ramifications.

 

[redriver]

Wow, every time I check my e-mail I hear more names dropping out that are not on the list Dinsdale provided,
worse yet is the social media ground swell this has created among attendees that are going to boycott the show, I look forward to this show every year but at this rate there won't be much left.

 

[sestoppelman]

On another forum its stated that Reed is British owned, which may explain at least in part the non allowance to exhibit so-called Assault weapons. Its going to cost them.

 

[BRICKBURN]

On another forum its stated that Reed is British owned, which may explain at least in part the non allowance to exhibit so-called Assault weapons. Its going to cost them.

I was reading news articles about this and they stated that Reed, a UK based company, actually operates a number of these shows across the US.
Lots of small operators caught in the middle on this one. Just like Jaco et al.
Losses of time, money and clients and potential access to other shows.

 

[Mike70560]

There list stands at 207 (nearly 20 percent) including the NRA and is still growing.

Jaco I feel for you but I hope the whole show is a dismal failure. If we do not start taking a stand there will be no need for shows in the future.

For the life of me I do not understand Reed trying to divide the hunting and shooting sport community.

Remember that most of the idiots that want to ban the so called assault weapons would take every gun you have given the chance. Many would support the end of hunting.

It is all a part of their left wing socialist agenda.

Jaco,

Maybe you will sell your quota n Reno and can go home. That would be great!!!!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I can't help but wonder if there isn't some geography coming into play here. From what I've read Reed also just hosted the SHOT show in Vegas! Go figure that. While that worm eating weasel known as Sen. Harry Reid comes from Nevada, it's a very hunter/shooter friendly state including Vegas. While Pennsylvania has a long tradition of hunting, it's close proximity to NY, CT, RI, NJ may have been a factor here.

Whatever the case, the fallout appears to be like a snowball with a long ways to go before it hits bottom.

 

[merlin]

last year was my first to attend the show 4 of us went down and had a great time . planning to go again this year have book time off of work hotel rooms for three nights . not sure what to do. I know personaly of one person that has pulled out it is costing him 3100 booth rental and about 20% of his business for the year.
What worries me is they are talking about protest what is that going to due to every else ?

a few years ago the city of toronto banned guns at the sportsmen show in there building . so the move the show to a privately own building and have never looked back

someone needs too due the same here this is a massive amount of money that it is brought in to the area the facility is there pot of gold here for some one !!!!

last check of the northeast outdoors at noon 317 have pulled out

merlin

 

[1ObsessedHunter]

Well this stinks. I made plans to go with my brothers...I'm wondering if it's still worth it.

 

[redriver]

I just heard that the largest boat exhibitor with over 6500sqft of display space just pulled the plug. Many outfitters are now jumping ship, it won't be long now...

 

[enysse]

I definitely think some of these shows have left people hanging in the wind. It sucks!

 

[jduckhunter]

Your right it does suck. Living only minutes away from the show I look forward to it every year and was planning on spending my birthday there this year and spending time with outfitters from around the world that I have become friends with. But I just can't go this year, I feel that we must make a statement! I too am wondering about the future of the show.

 

[vgruan]

I am with Brick on this one... If they get away with the ban off asuallt rifles and modern gadgedts now they will defnitely do that to hunting rifles as well in a couple of years. I am loosing all the money I paid for my booth but in the long term I think that this loss will be less than what it would be should the ban rifles and hunting.

I will make extra sure that I will meet with every single client that hadplans to visit us at the booth as i will have a lot of free time on my hands now. Should they lift the ban we will be back next year if the show still exists.

 

[Hotfire Hunting Safaris]

I have been following this for the past few weeks and now have come to the conclusion that my first foray into the US market is going to be a bit of a flop. I agree with everyones remarks and comments and cannot agree more that the bastards behind the proposed ban of assualt rifles are the same left leaning greenies that would love to do away with all hunting and guns.
My predicament is that given I am a small owner operator any investment in my marketing is a large investment. I want to ensure all gun owning Americans that I stand behind them in there moves to save their second amendment rights, but unfortunately I cannot afford to join the boycott. It is with much consideration that I am forced to stay at the show and only wish that I have the budget to be able to afford to join the boycott, because face it, with out the US hunters, the African hunting industry would collapse. Thank you and Sorry.

 

[jduckhunter]

I am with Brick on this one... If they get away with the ban off asuallt rifles and modern gadgedts now they will defnitely do that to hunting rifles as well in a couple of years. I am loosing all the money I paid for my booth but in the long term I think that this loss will be less than what it would be should the ban rifles and hunting.

I will make extra sure that I will meet with every single client that hadplans to visit us at the booth as i will have a lot of free time on my hands now. Should they lift the ban we will be back next year if the show still exists.

Thank you Jacques for your support and understanding I will definitely talk to you about my next safari.

 

[jduckhunter]

Patrick your position is understandable, as a small business owner I know that you can not always do things the way that you would like. I wish you all the luck and success that you are working toward. This is a bad situation that was brought upon us and is going to require understanding from all parties involved. Again all the luck in the world.

 

[Cliffy]

Patrick, No worries pal. We here in the USA understand your position and find no fault in your decision.
If you could, would you be willing to private email me why you feel your entry into this market may be a flop. I would really like to understand your side of the issue. Please believe me when I say I'm not trying to pry into your business I do really want to understand your feelings on this issue. Best of luck and I'm sure I can speak for most here on AH, we wish you the best.