Had a buddy send me a video that makes the claim that Mathews, Bowtech and Elite are not going to the 2022 ATA...is there anything known on this? I cannot find anything not from just "people" claiming this, but multiple are saying it.
I think Hoyt bailed out as well. As far as I am aware, everyone else is still going. Honestly, it's not a huge deal that those bow companies aren't there. They release all their new products months before the show happens, so by that time, it's old news anyways.
Any reason known or out there? Bottom line I cannot see the show being a needle pusher either way for them, so it is just them realizing this?
Elite said it's due to production delays. They want all hands on deck building and shipping out bows.
I'm curious if Elite is releasing a true flagship 2022 bow...all the three new models are like economy based lower priced ones without their Asym cams and no S.E.T. either. I am actually thinking I may buy a Kure or an Enkore this next Spring.
Their flagship is launching the same day as Mathews - one week from today. That's all I know. And yes, most of the bow companies realized they are writing orders for bows now, not during the show. It costs an arm and a leg to go to these things and their money is likely better spent elsewhere. I'm sure Covid has something to do with some of these decisions as well. I heard a LOT of people who went to iCast last summer got sick from that show. And I promise you this will be no different.
I think this is sign of bigger trend coming, the death knell of the trade show. The amount of time and money it takes to go these shows is wasteful considering the alternatives available. Social media and online releases along with fed ex can get info and products out to retailers at fraction of the cost. I see this happening not just at the ATA but across a lot of industry’s. The trade show is dated model. Something to keep in mind is as costly is for manufacturers it’s even more costly for smaller retailers to attend these shows.
100% agree with this. I predicted this exact scenario last year when the show was canceled. I knew it was the beginning of the end for industry trade shows for those exact reasons. They are SUPER expensive for everyone involved. Travel, hotels, meals, employees, booth cost, marketing expenses, extra employees, etc. We probably spend 20K or more and we're tiny little nobodies. The big bow companies are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on these shows. And if you're a small retailer it's time away from your business, hotels, fuel, airplanes, meals, etc. My predication was that the show wouldn't die right away, but it would take 1-2 years of manufacturers canceling and retailers not showing up before it finally dies. January will be the real test. If there's a good showing of retailers there to look at product and place orders, we may get it extended out for a few more years. If it's a bad turnout, it's going to get ugly quick.
Trade shows will continue in certain industries. In the landfill and engineering industries there is continuing education credits needed. So state chapters put together calls for papers, there is a trade show that goes with the conference, those will continue. We did not attend Wastecon this year, it is a big solid waste recycling national conference. We had a booth at that show for 25 years. I do not see the value of the national show, $3500 for a 10x10 booth, freight, flying in myself and 2 sales guys, saying at an expensive hotel. I prefer to do state and regional shows, it is a fraction of the cost and it is easier to submit a paper and deliver a presentation.
Well here we are Mathews has released their bow, Elite nothing yet and a few others...perhaps today is not the day for some of the other companies as we all were told.
