I was driving back from Peterborough on Sat, so I stopped in at GP Bikes right at opening.
They were extremely busy. Saw a few people signing the paperwork on bikes.
Hard to make an argument to close down and head to the flea market.
Motorcycle Supershow - International Center - Jan 6-8
- Thread starter cutekill
- Start date
They were extremely busy. Saw a few people signing the paperwork on bikes.
Hard to make an argument to close down and head to the flea market.
Agreed.
It's become very chicken and egg right now. If a vendor doesn't think there's enough traffic to make it worthwhile to have a presence and decides to skip the show, then word gets around and less people will attend the year after, which gives them even less incentive to show up the next time. Given the bad press this show has gotten on the forums and social media, I doubt there may even be a January show next year.
Like you, I don't go to the show specifically to buy gear. I've perused the GP Bikes booth when I'm already there, and if there's anything there that stands out as a deal, I'll pick it up. One year, there was a paddock stand that I got for 50% off MSRP on the last hour of the last day of the show. I guess they didn't want to pack it up and ship it back to the store.
But otherwise, there are better deals throughout the year, Black Friday, end of year sales to make room for newer models, etc.
The only time I've specifically gone to a show for gear was the Vancouver motorcycle show. Mosko Moto is based out of Washington state, just south of the border, and they routinely bring up their line of products. You get to see the products up close and inspect their features and quality. Not only did they have special show pricing, but you also save on cross-border shipping and duty as well. Saved hundreds of dollars.
wolfpack27616
Well-known member
Malks
Well-known member
The only reason I go to these type of shows is to buy gear or accessories. I also attend the Toronto Ski Show held at the same building every fall looking for equipment and clothing items. I'm old school and don't like to buy anything that is size specific without first trying it on, or at least looking it over for quality. As a result, I rarely make these type of purchases online.
The Bike show has crossed the price threshold for me. For comparison, the admission price to the Toronto International Ski Show was just $12 pp after discounts. It was smaller than previous years, but most of the larger vendors were there, as was the large swap area. I went looking for a specific ski helmet, found it, tried it on and bought one. It was the same price as one I saw online, but without first trying it I would not have made the purchase.
As I noted I'm not prepared to pay $25 pp to walk around a crowded hall looking for a deal. I fear the ever increasing admission price, together with the number of online options will be the death of these shows.
The Bike show has crossed the price threshold for me. For comparison, the admission price to the Toronto International Ski Show was just $12 pp after discounts. It was smaller than previous years, but most of the larger vendors were there, as was the large swap area. I went looking for a specific ski helmet, found it, tried it on and bought one. It was the same price as one I saw online, but without first trying it I would not have made the purchase.
As I noted I'm not prepared to pay $25 pp to walk around a crowded hall looking for a deal. I fear the ever increasing admission price, together with the number of online options will be the death of these shows.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I'm sure the bigger retailers will return once they see 2023 traffic numbers, there were a lot of visitors. The question now: .Was the 2023 experience good enough to make people return in 2024?
People came with money and nowhere to spend it. The flea markets were buzzing, cheap gloves, boots and helmets were flying off the tables by noon on Saturday.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I worked for decades in the trade and consumer show business -- they serve an important purpose, this one isn't going anywhere. Spring consumer shows / fairs are normally important to retailers, the last few years have been upside down for everyone, once things stabilize I think the shows will return. Dealers use these shows for a couple of things:Agreed.
It's become very chicken and egg right now. If a vendor doesn't think there's enough traffic to make it worthwhile to have a presence and decides to skip the show, then word gets around and less people will attend the year after, which gives them even less incentive to show up the next time. Given the bad press this show has gotten on the forums and social media, I doubt there may even be a January show next year.
Like you, I don't go to the show specifically to buy gear. I've perused the GP Bikes booth when I'm already there, and if there's anything there that stands out as a deal, I'll pick it up. One year, there was a paddock stand that I got for 50% off MSRP on the last hour of the last day of the show. I guess they didn't want to pack it up and ship it back to the store.
But otherwise, there are better deals throughout the year, Black Friday, end of year sales to make room for newer models, etc.
The only time I've specifically gone to a show for gear was the Vancouver motorcycle show. Mosko Moto is based out of Washington state, just south of the border, and they routinely bring up their line of products. You get to see the products up close and inspect their features and quality. Not only did they have special show pricing, but you also save on cross-border shipping and duty as well. Saved hundreds of dollars.
1) Clear last year's stock. No dealer wants inventory to have a birthday on the shelf, bringing 50,000 buyers into your space in 2 days can help turn inventory into cash fast. Selling last year's $1000 helmet for $500 at a show gives a dealer the cash to buy this year's helmet that he can sell for $1000.
Over the last 2 years of interrupted supply chains, inventories have cleared themselves, that won't go on forever.
2) Leads. Dealers realize there are tons of prospects that pass thru these shows, way more than what they can get into their showrooms. They can sell bikes on the floor, or simply being the selling process by putting maybe customers into their sales pipelines.
3) Branding. Most industries, like motorcycling, attract a lot of new and interested but not-yet-engaged enthusiasts. They go to shows to learn, ooogle, and dream. They see a lot of brands for the first time, those brands get a face-to-face chance to make an indelible impression on a future buyer -- particularly small markets with few vendors. I took a young rider to the show, he bought a pair of gloves at the Riderschoice booth (I think they were the only gear dealer there) for $70. Since the show, he's spent another $1000 on helmets and luggage from their website. Royal, FortNine & GP have better prices and selection, they were unknown to him.
One thing my old managers told me when I had to do the show circuit in my industry (water and wastewater) still resonates.
‘No one cares if you show up at the show, but every single person that matters remembers that you didn’t show and think you don’t want their business.’
‘No one cares if you show up at the show, but every single person that matters remembers that you didn’t show and think you don’t want their business.’
This is very accurate. In my industry trade shows are typically considered by those that work them a "waste of time & money" as very little product is actually sold at the shows. But don't show up to a few of them and your business can be quickly forgotten...
I worked shows in Water and Wastewater for many years, and then the large heavy civil infrastructure shows following that.
Zero product sold at any of the shows, but the contacts and leads are the only thing that mattered.
It opened up doors to hundreds of potential customers where I could open with 'oh hey, at the show you said XYZ and I'll be near your water plant next week, mind if I pop by?'
The ones now are more 'oh hey, you mentioned this project in about 5-10 years...how can I help you with that?'
I'm currently working in the public sector, if I ever move into private...it'll be in a business development role.
Hey MP
I used to work for ZENON Environmental out of Burlington/Oakville.
Ever come across us in the water/waste water business?
Cheers
Rob
Does that really apply to B2C in the internet age now? I am not sure - certainly not as much as it would have in the past anyway. Annecdotal, but I have to think this is a substantial portion of all motorcyclists: My first step of research is the internet, not shows for B2C. B2B makes a lot more sense in the building relationships regard.
Hey,
Yes I did actually. I applied there and had an interview but didn't get in.
I worked for METCON and Stealth Valve back in the day, and both companies have been sold to larger competitors since then. I believe we used to supply equipment to your water filtration (?) systems if I recall. ZENON wasn't my account, but I'm very well aware and actually worked with a PM in my current business that worked for ZENON during that time.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
B2C imn many segments really matter. The Boat show, various car shows, Sportsman show, One-Of-A-Kind craft show, Home Show....
People like to touch, feel and talk to experts when they are planning a purchase, particularly a major purchase. Vendors like to see hoards of qualified of prospects concentrated into a 3-day window - particularly new entrants.
My industry is primarily B2B for B2C I think some shows still gain a good turn. Gaming, Porn etc..
I think shows have been dying for a while. In the past they were the best way to source and find suppliers now interwebs have changed all that.
Sent from the future
Sent from the future
Cool.
I worked there in IT for 12 years until we were bought by GE.
I lasted about a year after that then left.
That was 14 years ago - they have changed owners and names a bunch over the years.
I have a lot of friends who still work there. Who was the PM?
Then you must remember Jodie, the voluptuous blonde receptionist.
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There’s always a Jodie
But is there a Ms Smallpiece or Mr Allcock? For a while at work we were amusing ourselves with a list of "uncommon" names.
