Did you all see this? https://www.bowhunting.com/article/big-changes-coming-for-the-2026-ata-show/ It's good to see them trying something to turn the show around. Do you think opening it to the public over the weekend, and adding the shoot will save it?
I have been involved in national gatherings of professional organizations for 20 plus years, it has been a challenge to many industries to exhibit at a national show. Indianapolis is cheaper that big cities but still is going to cost you minimill $4000 for a 10 x 20 booth, then mandatory floor covering, need electricity in your booth extra, freight in, freight out, decorating fees. Then you have ket people out of the manufacturing business staying in premium hotels, expensive meals, employee travel expenses. My business no longer does the national shows I am not on the board of an association, better value for us in regional shows. I do think that ATA opening to the public for a day is a fantastic idea, imagine how much merch could be sold to quiver sniffers?
dont know if public selling will be allowed, like at the triple crown and asa events .. maybe ... but just allowing the public to come should give a boost, esp. if they can see what the retailers can/did ... went to one years back when I was in retail/sporting goods .. had a blast and saw people you'd only see on TV, went to a few seminars .... not a bad drive for me to go to Indy come Jan. either (depending on weather/snow, etc.) ....
Can't say I'm a big fan of this for a variety of reasons, but I understand why they're doing it. You either try to change and make the event more exciting, or you die on the vine. We have two different both setups for industry shows versus consumer shows, two different sets of staff that work those shows, and this also adds an extra day of hotel, meals, etc. And it's still during the hunting season, and in the Midwest during the dead of winter, right after the holidays. It's either going to succeed and get things back on track, or it's going to bomb and this will be the end of the ATA Show as we know it. Do or die time!
I may make this event if anyone plans on going. Why the heck not. Buy a LoneWolf stand and then scale the walls of the event.
Lone Wolf only sells direct, not through dealers, which means they likely aren't an ATA member and won't be at the show. I know they weren't there last year anyway. Part of the ATA's mission and purpose is to protect archery dealers. In fact, that's the whole point of this show - to connect dealers and manufacturers. Now, after the dealer show ends, they're opening it up so everyone can bypass the dealers and sell directly to the consumers.
Those public buyers will be the quickest to cry when they can’t get the new product in their hands immediately.
I would go just to see the product first hands, and if I like it I can purchase it there or online. It's really hard to tell by watching videos online if it's a good quality item. Sent from my SM-A037U using Tapatalk
