Outdoor Retailer Winter Market officials said attendance at the 2016 show “was down slightly over last year,” largely due to less traffic over the weekend days of the event. Store-count attendance remained consistent year-over-year.
The figures are preliminary and show operator Emerald Expositions is still working to complete its post-show report, including a survey of attendees.
The 2016 trade show, held Jan.7-10, was two weeks earlier than usual and also shifted to a Thursday-Sunday time frame versus Wednesday-Saturday over the past few years. Another shift is coming next year with a Saturday-Tuesday (Jan. 7-10, 2017) schedule.
Thursday and Friday attendance and traffic in 2016 were on par with Wednesday and Thursday 2015, officials said.
“While the date pattern shift did help get ahead of the order writing deadlines and off of Sundance, Shot Show and other business impacting events, Saturday and Sunday experienced lighter traffic,” officials said. “Winter Market 2017 stages Saturday through Tuesday, giving retailers the opportunity to manage staffing in their stores, while still sending staff to attend the show.”
Exhibitors and retailers at the show gave SGB Today a mixed response to the earlier dates and shifted time frame at the show, saying it helped get closer to order dates, but also led to extra work and travel stresses right after the busy holiday period. Others noted conflicts with other regional shows and grumbled having to work through the weekend, especially with the traffic so light. Overall, exhibitors said their booth traffic was down versus a year ago.
“Change is always difficult,” Emerald Expositions officials said. “That said, we are pleased that we are able to provide a platform for the industry to come together as a community, celebrate its accomplishments, network and build relationships, execute the business of the outdoor industry and sit in on sessions that help retailers grow their businesses.”
Photo courtesy Outdoor Retailer
