The Fly Fishing Retailer Show has seen a significant decline in attendance and show square footage over the last four years. One proposal from the show management group Nielson Media was to combine the fly show with the Outdoor Retailer trade show, the world’s largest outdoor sports industry gathering in the world. Somehow the American Fly Fishing Trade Association did not recognize the value of having their trade show combined with a show that draws 21,000 attendees and 1000 brands in the business of producing, selling and marketing the outdoor lifestyle.
To quote an industry insider, "I can't wait to hear their reasons and the alternative they propose to their current stillborn 'trade' show in Denver and wherever else they propose to take it. Maybe they can hook up with the Texarkana basket weaving and macramé expo."
Here's the scoop courtesy of SNEWS.
The American Fly Fishing Trade Association voted to turn down an offer from Nielsen Business Media to merge the FlyFishing Retailer trade show into the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show, inside sources familiar with the vote told SNEWS®.
AFFTA President Gary Berlin confirmed that a vote took place on Oct. 13, but he would not reveal the outcome of the vote when contacted by us. "The board did make a decision on Tuesday, and the information will be released at the end of the month when all documents are finalized."
Berlin told SNEWS that AFFTA was looking for a new way forward with the FlyFishing Retailer show because it has suffered lower participation from exhibitors and attendees. "The show has declined in exhibit space and visitors for the past four years due to the economy and consolidation of brands," he said.
So now what are the alternatives?
Continue with the status quo.... the trade show equivalent of dead man walking.
Combine the show with ICAST or fly fishing meets duck and chuck in Vegas mid July 2010.... good luck with the early date.
Find a new venue or partner that might somehow drive greater attendance..... not likely considering the patient is barely breathing already.
We'll see how AFFTA explains not wanting to draft off the incredible depth of business that is conducted at Outdoor Retailer.