Visiting a boat show is a great way to keep up to date with the latest waterfront innovations. You’ll be able to see new products in person, chat with experts, and get an idea on what your next move on the water might be. Boat shows can be overwhelming to newcomers however. Today we are going to visit what a typical trip to a boat show will look like, so there won’t be any surprises!
Planning Before Going to a Boat Show
If you’re interested in going to a boat show, first look online to see when one will be in your area. Once you’ve decided which show you’re going to attend you need to see what the cost of admission will be. Some shows may have free admission, but most are going to charge for tickets. There may however be a promotion or giveaway going on around the local area, such as discounted tickets or radio promotions, so be sure to look out for those.
Some shows may have websites that post schedules, events, and maps that will give you an idea of what it will look like before attending. For example, in Indianapolis you can visit the Indy Boat, Sport, & Travel Show website to see all kinds of information.
Arriving at the Boat Show
When visiting a boat show, the first tip is to get a map of all the vendors and exhibits. You’ll be able to see where the vendors that might fit your needs such as new boats, accessories, docks, and more are located and head there. This will help save time if you’re on a mission, but you might want to take the chance to browse all around to see anything that might catch your eye.
One tip to remember before you arrive is to bring something to carry stuff in such as a bag or folder. You’ll be given lots of promotional material, flyers, foldables, and catalogs. You’ll also likely receive a lot of free merchandise such as pens, key chains, drink koozies, and more.
Visiting a Vendor Booth
When visiting a vendor’s booth, such as Deaton’s Waterfront Services’, look for brochures, handouts, or free merchandise to grab. If you see something that you like, ask the person representing the booth questions about the product. For example, when customers visit our booth they typically want to know what lift will be best for their boat, or more information about one of our EZ Dock products.
One thing to keep in mind while in the booth is to take time to decide what you want. A sales rep is going to try and get you to commit right there, which could lead to regret over your decision once the product doesn’t fit your exact needs. Take information home with you to read and decide what is best for you. Even if the show is ending soon, there’s usually a phone number or business card for you to be able to get in touch with the person selling the product your interested in.
Final Advice for Boat Shows
Going to a boat show can be made easy with the right tips and tricks. They are a great way to learn more about products you’re interested in. Another good thing about boat shows is being able to see the product in person. The key things to remember while at a boat show is to ask questions, get the proper informational material, and don’t make irrational decisions.
Deaton’s Waterfront Services exhibits at several boat shows across the Midwest. Keep an eye out on our events page or our Facebook to see when we’ll be in your area next. If you are interested in any of our products, or have questions regarding our upcoming boat show season feel free to give us a call at (317)747-4933 or contact us using our online form.
