First show in the books

[BigHawgBaits]

I want to give Crabbybass a shout out he had some great info from the show he did it helped out alot. We sold a little over 300 bags and several build a bags. We also had a raffle for our local club there that raised $232 for the club. Here is a couple images of our booth 2 of them are prior to the show half setup and one somebody that tried to get me in the picture. Thats me in the back I am good at hiding. Thanks again Crabby for the info

[CrabbyBass]

Congratulations!  Sounds like you did awesome!  Your booth looks great!  You would never guess that was your first show.  I am glad you did well.  Thank you for the shout out!  That really means a lot to me.  I am glad I was able to give you some useful pointers. 

[Mic]

A question for you and Crabby.  Did you have "special show pricing" or did you keep your usual pricing?

[BigHawgBaits]

I know ya asked Crabby but here is my 2 cents. Our producer of the show asked us to have a special show price Friday I went down about 50 cents saturday I only took 25 cents off and sunday I blew it out with my wholesale pricing

[Mic]

I thought I had you both  on the thread.  sorry Hawg.  I was wondering bout that.  how  many bags did u bring.  I am thinking of going to a show and could use any advice, pros and cons of what you guys have seen.   

[BigHawgBaits]

If i was going to do another one today I would get my Test tank centered in the back of the both it was crowded around that area as you can see in the pictures which blocked product from being sold. I took 600 bags with me  I ran 6 colors for the most part with a few spots for my most popular in a couple of my retail stores I supply. Also only took 7 different styles of baits and had pictures of the rest playing on a slideshow on a laptop. Natural tones seem to sell best like Green Pumpkin and my smokes. Swim Shad sold very well once people looked at them for walleye around here. Make sure to say hello to everyone that walks by if you can people stop at a friendly sign from someone. A lot of people walk with face down the hall not looking at there surroundings and saying hello draws them in this was a big key to my success the both across from me sat in a chair and I would say I had 50:1 people in my both just by saying hello. I would be happy to answer any other questions you have.

[JRitzo]

Looks great nice job!

[wilks19]

Congratulations Big Hawg!  We are glad everything worked out and the advice we gave you helped.  I should state that I am the other co-owner of Crabby Bass.  I love your 55 gallon (I think) fish tank over there, that is sweet.  We just picked one up, but haven't had a chance to play with it yet. 

[BigHawgBaits]

Next show I do I will put the tank in between the racks of baits so people can still get to it and the baits instead of blocking it. but as you see space was limited and next year I will get two booths and have more space for people to come in and check things out. As far as the tank it is a 55 gallon and Ice fishing rods work great for people testing baits. I had 4 rods rigged differently drop shot, shakey, texas and football jig

[wilks19]

Very cool!  One more tip for you sir, use clevis swivels on your ice rods and that way people can swap out your lures to test the different ones out.  We had one lure of each mold on display rigged and if someone wanted to change, it made it fast and easy.  Good luck next year!

[Denny Welch]

I hope you guys don't mind me asking, but what did it cost to rent the space for the shows you did.  If memory serves me correctly, it costs something like $800 per space for ISE's 4-day run.

[BigHawgBaits]

I paid $450 for mine for 3 days

[Denny Welch]

Oops...I was wrong on the space cost for the International Sportsman Exposition ...
       
          10 x 10.....$1,350
          10 x 15.......1,850
          10 x 20.......2,500

www.sportsexpos.com

[pjmcla]

That would be a lot of baits to sell to cover that kind of cost.  Guess you would have to count some as advertising expense.

[BigHawgBaits]

I would have gladly paid $1350 for the 1 contact I made. I will be producing baits for the USDA and PUD in my area they fish for the northern pike minnows and used gitzits before they talked to me I will be working on getting a lamprey looking bait 5" and 6" carrots with eyes and a few colors. They will order 5000 pieces at a time