Scuba shows/expo's in Atlanta area

[yukoneer]

When I lived in Seattle last summer, 2 of the scuba stores there had scuba shows and expo which gave customers pretty sweet deals on stuff, etc...

I was wondering if there's something like that in one of the several scuba stores this summer?

 

[JKSteger]

I've often thought of the same thing. I see "hunting expo's", "gun expo's" and from time to time I've even seen the elusive "computer expo's" but I have NEVER seen a scuba expo around Atlanta.

If you hear of one in the area, please let us know.

BTW, great meeting you yesterday at the quarry.

Jeremy

 

[mike_s]

You know... this would be great if there was an expo in the southeast for divers. (when I say the southeast, I don't mean south florida either). There are thousands of divers that are within a 1 to 6 hour drive of Atlanta that would come to such a show.

I had heard that many years ago there used to be a consumer scuba show in Atlanta, but I've never heard anything about it.

Besdies the shows in south Florida, the closest shows in this area that I have found is the one they have every year in Dublin Ohio.


With all the dive shops in the Atlanta area, I think that Atlanta would be an ideal location for a southest dive show.

 

[hunter991]

I have been to a beneath the sea show in Raleigh. I am not sure if that regularly happens there or now. I think there is also a show in the New Jersey area.

Brent

 

[The Kraken]

Given the fact that Atlanta is home to one of the most active young adult, athletically active populations in the nation, and with one of the highest degrees of discretionary income, the scuba powers that be seen to ignore it.

Even as an SMSA (standard metropolitan statistical area) the Atlanta area seems to be given a wide berth when it comes to scuba conventions.

And like Rome, all roads (albeit they are founded in the air) lead to Atlanta.

Perhaps if we can generate a higher presence here on the board the manufacaturers who are now watching this board closely will take note and respond accordingly.

But to my knowledge, there aren't any.

the K

 

[mike_s]

I guess a "full out show" would take someone organizing it, reserving show space, selling the booths, marketing, selling tickets, etc. I guess it's a huge risk.

However, Atlanta is a HUGE convention city. Prob one of the top 10 in the US. So they've got the people here to do it.

I wonder if the 20+ local ATL area Dive Shops would even exhibit at the show or even help promote it? I know some would, but you always have those who would be afraid that such a show would "draw away their customers".

I know that if there "was" a ATL Scuba Show that I'd go.

 

[The Kraken]

Mike, you're right in the proposition that some shops might feel that it would "draw away their customers", but an interesting thing about that is that business will show up for that very reason, they're more afraid of who will be there than who won't.

I think we have an excellent catalyst right here on the ScubaBoard to start manufacturers into giving some thought to demo-ing in Hot-Lanta.

the K

 

[mike_s]

I know what you mean about some of the shops showing up. Some would attend (not exhibit) just to see who else was exhibiting and what they were showing. kinda funny.

However, I think such a show could be very similar to a "Hamfest" with a variety of exhibitors. You can even sell different "grades" of booths if the show is big enough (eventuallY) You can have a mix of equipment manufacturer's, dive shops, destination promoters (trips), liveaboards, and even a 'swap meet' section for 'flea market' vendors.

If done far enough in advance, it would be well promoted through local dive shops, the internet (websites and email lists), and dive clubs (and their websites, newsletters and email).


Here's the "burning question". is this "just a show" or do you allow retail sales at the show? If you allow retail sales, how does that affect dealer agreements, sales/dealer territories, etc. ? (I'm sure that won't be easily solved). Since I've never been to a "scuba show" (since there are none in the area) I don't know how they do it at other areas. (anyone know?) However, if you don't allow retails sales, it knock down on exhibitors for sure, which will knock down on paying attendee's.

Some folks will come just to get a good deal on a "show special".

just something to think about...

 

[The Kraken]

Well, I don't know about retail shows, per se. But at industrial shows no "sales" were permitted at point of contact, but "appointments" would be set up by the manufacturers/distributors.

Sales from a retail perspective would be quite cumbersome.

the K

 

[mike_s]

Industrial shows are for corporate customers. Many a "coroprate show" that I've been too large booths often have a small 'conference room' built into the booth or the company has made arrangements to have one available. While it might not be a 'retail sale', I guarentee you deals are made and orders are taken.

A perfect example of this in the Scuba industry is that dealers and manufacturers make deals, take orders, etc at DEMA. (nothing wrong with that).

Back to the Atlanta show topic, if it's going to be a "consumer show", then it'll have to be retail based to some extent. It's the only way shops will sign up to exhibit. Of course I don't expect manufacturers to do point of sale. They aren't set up for that, or most of them are not. (of course some of the smaller ones are).

Changing gears here.... it might be hard to get "just scuba" show started on its own, but what if it was "tacked on" to an existing show? A fitting show might be the Atlanta Boat Show. Lots of boaters are divers and the boat show would generate huge amounts of traffic for the scuba retailers. For the attendees that are non divers, you have a new target audience for selling training and initial gear purchase to.

For perspective, just under 40,000 people attended the 2006 Atlanta Boat Show. Tell me that scuba manufacturers, scuba retailers, and local dive shops wouldn't like to have that much traffic come by their booths. If they got just 1% interest from attendees, then they would be gaining 400 new customers. Most local dive shops would kill for that many new customers in a year, much less in one weekend.

just some thoughts. Didn't really mean to take over Yukoneer's thread.