What Our Exhibitors Say


	What Our Exhibitors Say "I have a small outfitting business. I exhibited with ISE because I’ve heard from other exhibitors that lots of people come to the show, and they are looking for a wonderful hunt. That’s what I offer. It’s been a wonderful show for me. I’m booked up! You guys really helped me out. I recommend the ISE for first-time outfitters." Gary Sylte, Coeur D’Alene River Big Game Outfitters The ISE has such a breadth of offerings--a giant youth fair, hunting dogs, boats of several kinds, SUVs and four-wheelers. The whole package is fun! ISE's broad reach gives us a great opportunity to expose Sage products and fly-fishing to people we would never, ever reach. Anytime the public has a chance to see fly-fishing, which is a fairly solitary activity, we can break down some myths. I think this is huge for the sport, and big for our business. The opportunity to expose fly-fishing to the public and not just people who already are advocates is, I think, the primary reason to participate in these shows. Also, most sports shows happen during he slow retail months. Dealers doing shows generate sales and capture new customers. Being here allows Sage to support the dealer's efforts and show them that their business is important to us. Jamie Lyle, Owner, Outdoor Specialty Products I choose the ISE shows for a number of reasons, but more then anything because I have found no better way to showcase my products in front of such a diverse audience of outdoor enthusiasts, and so many prospective buyers. Jared Johnson, Owner, Rocky Mountain Tackle I’ve done ISE for 24 years. ISE is a good way to showcase your products to the customer. We do a lot of radio and print ads, but the best thing is to get the customer to know our employees and different store locations. ISE is where we do that. At the show we offer first-quality products for less than retail, reinforcing the statement: there’s no deal like a show deal. But then we add value to the transaction. For example, customers may get something free like batteries. The message to our potential new customers is that we are fair and provide value. ISE is targeted towards the fisherman! John Bedwell Fisherman’s Warehouse Retail “My business is based in Central California. We operate a 6000-acre bird-hunting preserve. We also raise several thousand pheasants, quail and chukar, which we use on our preserve and sell to other hunting preserves. There’s a high turnover of customers in our business--we must have a strong incoming tide of prospects. The show is the only method we’ve found that successfully advertises our business!” Keith Bennett, Owner, Ace High Adventures I’ve been doing sports shows for 10 years—the first show I ever did was an ISE show. People who come to the shows are looking for an outdoor experience—they’re qualified. In most cases, they end up being return customers. I can trace back about 60 percent of my clientele to sports shows. At any given show I may pick up 15 or so new customers. When you figure that I’ve done shows every year for a decade, I probably have 200 or more customers that I can trace back to sports shows. Kent Huff, Glacier Bay Eagle’s Nest Lodge I do more than a dozen shows a year, including wildlife and fine-art shows. If I could do more good sports shows, I would. That’s where I see customers who are strictly interested in sporting merchandise and sporting activities. The number of people at sports shows is much greater, and buyers are just as qualified, but tend to be a little more impulsive. They tend to pick up the piece they want right then and there instead of thinking about it for three months! I’ve done the ISE shows for more than a decade because the return has been very, very worthwhile. Kevin Pack, K.E. Pack Watercolors We're at the shows to get product exposure and sell product. ISE shows have better advertising than many other shows. Their marketing reaches more of the general public. That means new customers. It's also important to meet up with our strong, loyal customer base. I think that's why we seemed to do very well, even when the economy had slowed. Lennis Janzen, Owner, Crooked Horn Outfitters We hadn't done ISE shows for a while, and our name was sinking. That's why we came back. We've exhibited at other shows, but nobody knew the event was happening. ISE advertises heavily, and the Denver show is the biggest one in town all year. Mark Miller, Owner, Talaheim Lodge Our goal is to provide the customer with an experience that will build a family tradition. You do that by letting the person hold the product. You answer questions, helping the person make a good, sound judgment. With the huge crowd, and lots of families, we did that. I’ve been doing shows in Phoenix for many years, but by far the University of Phoenix Stadium is the greatest place I’ve been. This show is only going to get bigger and better. Maschmidt & Associates, Manufacturer Representation Sixty percent of our business is derived through consumer shows. Consumers see our products—Lowrance, Eagle and Simrad electronics--in national advertising, but they want to get their hands on the product. We educate and even train them right on the show floor, then walk them to a retailer’s booth to close the sale. Having a special feature like the Lowrance Learning Center at the show improves results. Also, being at the show helps boat dealers, some of whose models have factory-installed Navico electronics. We’re the product-knowledge experts and can address consumer questions in-depth. Mike Campbell, Navico Western U.S. Sales Manager Shows are hard work but necessary. By their efforts, ISE staff make you want to be there. ISE folks do what they say they’ll do. Show advertising delivers on its promise. That’s top-notch. Tim Gillies General Manager Mikisew/Northern Sportfishing I have been involved with the International Sportsmen's Exposition for over a decade both as an exhibitor and a seminar speaker. I am proud to be associated with this incredible wealth of talent that travels throughout the West, educating anglers. As a co-owner of a fly shop, and as a professional guide, our presence at these shows has made a significant difference on building relationships with our customers and booking several guided trips each year. The International Sportsmen's Exposition is the leader in the industry when it comes to professionalism and setting the standards for a top-notch outdoor experience. Pat Dorsey Orvis Guide of the Year, 2001 We offer guided hunts and fishing trips on or near the Colusa Indian Community lands close to the casino, but also promote the casino as a destination. We do extremely well both in guiding-related call-backs, and also in event planning and public relations for the tribe and casino. We network with several groups and organizations, much as we’d do at a trade show. We've also expanded our space. Regina Stafford, CICC Outdoor Adventures If it weren’t for the ISE shows, we wouldn’t be in business. We started 18 years ago with one product. We exhibited it at the ISE show. Where else would you get 25,000 to 30,000 people to take a look at your product? To play with it and try it? Then they tell their friends, who run out to the tackle shops to buy it. If the shop doesn’t carry it, they will. That kind of exposure launched our product. We do several dealer shows a year, but the only sportsmen show we do on the West Coast is ISE! Sep Hendrickson Radio-Show Host, Outdoor personality "We specialize in cutting-edge destinations that are off the beaten path—the Amazon, Africa, Russia--all over the world. We’ve been participating in ISE shows for about eight years now. We do other events, but find that ISE shows are some of the best we do. The quality of the clientele and the number of people who come to the ISE are high." Steve Yatomi, Adventure Travel Alliance Just wanted to thank you again for another successful show season. We never lacked people in front of our booth who were willing to talk. To me, it’s not just the quantity of bodies walking by the booth, but the quality of folks. Do they have the disposable income to come play? Are they motivated to purchase? ISE clientele do have the bucks and are motivated to spend it. ISE has always done good by us, and I attribute much of my business growth to my association with your great shows! Jonathan Roldan Owner Tailhunter International I choose the ISE show because of the increase in business that it has given me. I have had more sales talking with hunters face-to-face at the show than just over the phone. There's value for my business, too, in meeting other outfitters and booking agents at the show. Tim Lockwood, Lockwood Hunting Services "We exhibited at the ISE to gain more exposure to our local customer base. The ISE has such a strong presence in our city and also draws outdoor enthusiasts from throughout the region. Since the show, our business has significantly increased, including many new customers." Tom McReynolds, President, McReynolds Farms Fly-fishing is a very small niche in the outdoor market. I think doing the ISE is essential to the business. There is no better opportunity to present our brand in both markets to such a large number of outdoor enthusiasts. And the shows present an opportunity to make very good sales during the slow month of the year. At ISE we achieve cross-over--presenting fly-fishing to the conventional angler, to the duck hunter, to the big-game hunter. Xavier Carbonnet, California Fly Shop "Our ATV jamboree comes after the ISE. Being at the show is efficient advertising to a large and diverse audience that's truly interested in the outdoors. And, with hundreds of other exhibitors in the same hall, we can learn how other businesses promote, then incorporate new ideas into our program." Utah ATV Jamboree We’ve been doing several shows a year with ISE since 1995. We’ve found ISE management to be very, very helpful, courteous, professional and accommodating. Space costs are very reasonable. All the shows are very clean, well-organized and bring in thousands of potential customers. We book several customers at each ISE show, and this is why Buglin’ Bill Outfitters will continue to do business with ISE. We recommend ISE shows for any outdoor business." Bill and Carla Allen Buglin’ Bill Outfitters & Lodge In the 16 years I’ve been doing these shows, ISE has played a major part in my company’s growth from doing float trips to owning three lodges in Alaska. The shows give us an opportunity to talk one-on-one with both potential and existing clients. After a time, people at the show recognize us, and that gives us credibility. The Internet gives people instant accessibility to your marketing and promotional material, but to be able to stand and talk one-on-one with someone face-to-face allows you to really develop a relationship. I don’t think you can replace the sportsmen shows in your marketing plan. We’ve done as many as 15 shows in a year throughout the country, but we’ve narrowed our efforts to what we consider the best shows, and they are all ISE shows. Every time I’ve asked for anything or had a questions or issue, ISE staff was there to make sure everything was okay. They understand that this is a major part of our marketing, and that it’s crucial for us to have access to the customers. ISE is dedicated to their business the way we’re dedicated to ours. Brian Kraft, Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge “The Utah ISE encourages vendors and activities that promote family spending quality time together outdoors. With the price of fuel, people are looking for new and exciting areas to explore close to home. Elko, Nevada is just four hours away! The Salt Lake is a great show that draws our perfect demographic.” Marketing & Events Manager, Elko Convention Center Exhibiting at the ISE provides great exposure for my business with the local hunting community. At the show, I connect with hunters who are booking a once-in-a-lifetime trip, often for exotic animals from Africa or New Zealand. At the end of such an adventure, the hunter doesn’t want a dead animal, he wants art. By being at the show and educating the hunter about hunting out-of-state or out-of-the country, I’m able to make their hunt smoother and provide them with trophies of the best quality that will last a lifetime. Chris Crabtree Owner Crabtree Wildlife Recreation Taxidermy We have found the ISE shows to be an exceptional opportunity to reach new customers as well as visit with friends who have enjoyed our service in the past. Most importantly, the ISE shows have been critical in helping our business to grow each year in a very challenging business climate. The ISE staff is friendly, very organized and helpful, which makes exhibiting and presenting a breeze. Craig Nielsen Shasta Trout For 15 years the Sacramento ISE has been a barnburner for me! I've also done the Phoenix ISE–what a beautiful show! The ISE are well-advertised, and the customers are well-qualified to buy my antelope, elk and deer hunts, which range in price from $1500 to $3700. Craig Tomke Owner 4+2T Ranch Hunting in another state requires an investment in time and resources. Our personal representatives onsite were able to discuss options with interested sportsmen, which increased their confidence and allowed them to plan better. Exhibiting at ISE is a win-win for both the sportsmen and Colorado. Debbie Lininger, Marketing Director, Colorado Division of Wildlife We do the ISE shows to meet lots of potential customers. This is a great way to get exposure. Virtually all of the people we book are American. Dedicated Hunting Safaris of South Africa Henry van Schalkwyk In 1973 I bought a fishing and hunting resort in southern Oregon. What I needed next were customers. I chose to exhibit with International Sportsmen's Expositions. Eleven years later I sold my business and chose to guide, write, conduct fly-fishing seminars, and run a mailorder fly-fishing business. I still needed customers. Again I turned to ISE. Not only did ISE do an excellent job of attracting qualified customers to their events, they also gave me the opportunity to conduct seminars, tie flies, and do fly-casting presentations at a fly pond and in a huge, fish-filled demonstrations tank. ISE's professionalism and knowledge on how to attract people in the outdoor market was key to my success than and continues today, more than 30 years later. I seriously doubt I would have enjoyed the success or exposure I receive today without the help and support of ISE. Anyone who makes their living associated with the outdoor market should consider ISE as a platform for success. They have been there for me and they will be there for you. Denny Rickards Author, guide When somebody is thinking about going out of the country to fish, our resorts offer an affordable option on Mexico’s East Cape. We have the largest fleet—70 boats—and four properties. We do all five of the ISE, but this year San Mateo was the outstanding performer. We started booking at the show, with an incentive, but after-show response still produces 70 percent of the business. Our top priority at shows is generating new business. It’s important to see our existing customers, too. If we’re not there, and our competitors are, folks will wonder what happened to us. Also, even though everybody uses the Internet now, customers will tell us things face-to-face that they just won’t in email. These comments help us improve our business! Eddie Dalmau, General Manager, Van Wormer Resorts Toyota has been a sponsor of ISE in northern California for nearly a decade, and we plan to continue our involvement. ISE brings high quality attendees, and our sponsorship gives us the opportunity to demonstrate the versatility and quality of Toyota products to those customers. Dan Nilsen, Account Supervisor, Northern California Toyota Dealers Advertising Association Even in the current economy, we were particularly pleased to see so many new subscriptions, which are key to our business, and are evidence that the ISE events continue to drive new customers to our business. Ike Eastman, General Manager, Eastmans' Hunting Journal