Ice Show Needs More Room

[Down Deep]

I was at the Ice Show on Saturday afternoon and there was a huge turnout. I had a great time and got some good information from the dealer reps as well as some bargains. The huge crowds made it very difficult to get into and shop many of the tackle vendors. The show really needs to use more room either at the existing location or seek another venue. I think vendors and factory reps would appreciate some more space to serve their customers.

[morepower02]

I agree it was a joke at times tying to look, ask questions and purchase on Saturday.

[PurpleFloyd]

When we got there the line to get tickets was all of the way to the opposite side of the ticket booth which must have been 150 yards long.

I agree that it was packed and hard to ask questions to the experts but on the other hand it looks like the exhibitors probably had a very successful weekend and hopefully they made enough money to justify their investment.

One thing we talked about was that we hope everyone was there with honest intentions. I am not sure what type of electronic monitoring they have there but we thought it looked like the volume of people would make it easy for people to walk off with things that were not paid for.

[MikeH55343]

I agree. They need more floor space. It was just to tough to get a good look at racks of small item.

Due to the crowds, I walked out with only one purchase. Normally, I would have an armful of more stuff than I need.

The back room (where the trucks and snowmobiles were)had plenty of extra room and fewer people.

[jwmiller33]

Metrodome?

[herefish101]

MPLS Convention Center, St.Paul would hate to loose it but The Convention Center is huge.

[BehindtheHead]

thats why im glad all you guys have to work on friday. we show up at 1 on friday and there is a line but not that bad.

[landscaper]

Metrodome?

Thats the first thing that came into my mind!

But who knows?

[FWA]

They could still expand it into the auditorium upstairs as well because if it's held in the Metrodome, it can't be called the annual St. Paul Ice Fishing Show.

[CAMAN]

OR move it into the Xcel Center!! Think of it now, the St. Paul Ice Show, ON ICE!!

Where else would you be able to test out an auger before you buy?!

[chad austin]

OR move it into the Xcel Center!! Think of it now, the St. Paul Ice Show, ON ICE!!

Where else would you be able to test out an auger before you buy?!

Caman, I like your thinking and just think of all the ice cleat companies that would do well being set up just outside the door.

[Random guy]

From what I heard it was another record setting event. Saterday by far was the busiest I have ever seen it.

[amateurfishing]

it was my first time there since this will be my second true ice fishing season, 6 yr old son and i went just to learn, see different stuff, and open an ear from the experts, plus wanted a strikemaster suit on sale......did not really spend that much ($20 on Lindy lures) cause i had never seen em b4 in stores and got free ice line. But learned a ton, sounded like vendors need more inventory on hand as TB lures were getting picked over pretty well by 11 already. the line to get in at opening absurd! never expected anything like that...

[IamZombie]

Yeah, it needs more room.

Trying to look at stuff in the vendors booths was hard. They had to make their aisles so narrow, you couldn't walk past anyone.

[AndRo]

Agreed. Shoulder to shoulder from 10a-1p while I was there on Saturday. Just like the state fair... gotta love the guy that stops in the middle of the isle.

[muskE]

The rinse-repeat of the same seminars was disappointing. I would have liked to see some variety sprinkled in there. What about a town hall with the commish of the DNR addressing specific soncerns for icefishermen?

[tweeder]

So Glad I didn't go Sat, but it was clearly picked over Sunday and inventory was low. However, reeds was still dealing well worth the $6 to park and $7 to get in.

[Chode2235]

Just utilize the "back space" where they have the seminars now. Give one of the big retailers a good deal on floor space to be a magnet back there (like thorne or Reeds) and you could easily double the space of the show back there.

I also think they could do a better job organizing where the different types of stuff go (resorts vs ice houses) and better use the space they have down there.

More "free exibits" in the hallways too, like you see at the sportshow down there.

[BLACKJACK]

Glad I caught this post on the crowds. Was thinking of maybe going next year but as an ex Navy guy (waiting in line for chow, waiting in line to get on the boat, waiting in line to get off the boat, more chow lines) I don't do lines if I can help it!!!!

[Stick in Mud]

It wasn't TOO bad on Sunday, but the selection was pretty picked over at that point. Still, there were some great deals to be had. Now I just need some ice to try out my new toys.

[g_anoka]

As I said in another post, online ticket sales, and metrodome.