2014 Ottawa Boat and Sportsmen’s Show Releases Post Show Results and Exhibitor Feedback

Sportsmens
The 2014 Ottawa Boat & Sportsmen’s Show, on its 39th year, still proved to be the best place to purchase a boat in the
region.
 
Despite facing a trend of declining attendance affecting similar shows across the country, exhibitor support
remained high, with the Show reporting consistent exhibitor numbers throughout the past years, including legacy
exhibitors who have participated in the Show since its inception in 1975.
 
The Show also faced additional challenges in the inclement weather that caused flooding in much of downtown Ottawa, along with coinciding with the closing weekend of the Olympics.
 

Despite these hurdles, the Show attracted considerable attendance of core and qualified consumers over its 4-day run. Exhibitors have also reported positive feedback, generating strong boat sales and customer leads heading into the 2014 selling season.
 
“The Ottawa Boat Show saw similar trends to other shows I have participated in during the 2014 season. We did seem to
find lighter traffic during the weekdays but still managed to write business and found qualified consumers. We were
extremely busy on both Saturday and Sunday with traffic and sales to match. Legend Boats was quite pleased with our
results from the ever-growing Ottawa Show. This show has served our Eastern Ontario dealers quite well in setting up
their year moving forward.” – Jesse Davis, District Sales Manager, Legend Boats
 
“Even though the Show was slower than normal we have received several inquiries as well as visits from previously
booked customers promising to return this fall. We even had one booking with deposit for a group of 12 people!” – Barb
and Wayne, Owner/Operators, Kipawa Lodge
 
“The Ottawa Boat and Sportsman show has been part of the George’s Marine & Sports marketing plan for over 28 years and we continue to use it as our premier kick off to the boating season. The new EY facility gives us a first class
facility with great move in access and just a stone’s throw to the Ottawa airport. This show allows us to reach our
market over a very hectic 4 days ensuring that our summer season is set to be successful. George’s will without a doubt
be in attendance in 2015” Jeff Wilcox, President, George’s Marine.

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Bennington 22 MSB

By Andy Adams

If you’ve already had firsthand experience with a pontoon, you will easily understand the appeal of the Bennington 22 MSB. But if you haven’t, let’s start by reviewing a few of the reasons why pontoon boats have become top sellers in markets across North America.

Pontoon boats began in the early 1950s as basically four steel drums lashed to a frame. They were not unlike the log rafts of ancient cultures and not much more sophisticated at first.

Read More

Destinations

The Best of Two Worlds

By Mathew Channer

Interior British Columbia might not be as famous for recreational boating as Canada’s Great Lakes, yet it is no less a world-class boat­ing destination. The mountains offer their own flavour of marine adventure with their series of long, deep ribbon lakes, and there is perhaps no area that embodies this more uniquely than the iconic Okanagan basin in southern B.C. One could be forgiven for assuming this valley was purpose-built for nautical fun, with a few delightful perks thrown in to make the area entirely irresistible (wine-tasting, anyone?).

Read More

Lifestyle