MWC is considering taking a simple 10x10 booth at the Wisconsin Sportfishing Expo February 14 - 16 in Milwaukee and the Minnesota Walleye & Bass Expo in Shakopee, MN January 31 - February 2. The object would be to expose the MWC to more potential tournament anglers -- solicit new registrations. What are your thoughts? Are these good shows with qualified attendees? Would we be preaching to the choir? Or would we potentially get new MWC anglers?

If we did do this -- would any of you that live nearby be willing to work our booth? We'd ship the signs, materials, etc., and MWC members would staff the booth, answer questions. (Probably with one of us from the office.)

Your thoughts and feedback?

The Walleye Expo has been a good show for us as a dealer. Many of the people who attend know about the MWC and other circuits but with all the new plans from other circuits maybe we need to preach to the choir a little. I'll be at the Walleye Expo and can help there.

Thanks, Michael. I've had one other email directed to me being positive about the Shakopee one -- and an offer to help work it. However, I haven't heard anything from any of our Wisconsin anglers.

What's your opinion of this show in Milwaukee? Do you go? Why or why not? I really need to hear -- otherwise we'd probably not go if it just wasn't a good show for us.

Kristine:
I think exposure at the sports shows is a good idea. And why not set up video and run the tapes from the MWC tournaments at the same time?
You might get more participation from MWC anglers if you could compensate them for their time. Perhaps you could get them to do a couple of seminars while they are at the shows???
Minneapolis and Milwaukee aren't quite in my backyard, but I can get there if you need me. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.
Doug Newhoff

One more thought.
It seems like the most logical recruiting ground for new MWC anglers is the smaller state circuits. Have you considered a mailing to those anglers encouraging and challenging them to step up to the next level?
Newhoff

That's a great idea, Doug. Love the idea of our TV shows airing in our booth. Not sure how many of the smaller circuits would pass out our registration forms -- but worth asking. Maybe they would let us mail to their list. (maybe not?) If everyone "posted" on this thread their contact information -- we could develop a list of who to ask...

Thanks for offering to help, too. Let's see if folks living closer are willing first. So far I do have volunteers for the Minnesota one -- so just needing volunteers for Wisconsin.

OK you Wisconsonites -- pick yourself up after the football game :-( and "post reply" your thoughts of the Milwaukee expo/show. Need to know...

Kristine
Those shows arent in my area either.But if you wanted any exposure in the Des Moines area I could get something in our boats shows here.I know of 2 teams that are stepping up form the IWTT to the MWC next year.Cory

Great Idea Kristine
If you need help at the Shakopee show, I'll give a day. The more exposure we can give our circuit, the better. There are a lot of those "If I had been at that tournament ---"
guys out there that we can offer an opportunity to show us there stuff!!
ps I can only assume that an MWC Pro Shirt comes with the job responsibility of working the booth. We wouldn't want to look shabby now, would we?
Rick Stange

You've got a good point, Rick.

I want to know what's going on with none of our Wisconsin anglers checking in?

This is the first year the Wisconsin Sportfishing Expo is being held in conjunction with the Milwaukee Boat Show at the Midwest Express Center. Previous years it was the Midwest Walleye Expo and it was held at the Wisconsin State Fair Park.

I know Bill left you a voice msg about how great the Shakopee Show is, but we really don't know what to expect at the Sportfishing Expo in Milwaukee, being the first year. Paul Hartman does a great job promoting the shows and he is willing to help the vendors out in whatever way he can.

I feel it would be worth the MWC's time to promote the circuit at both shows. Sorry we can't help man the booth at the Wisconsin show, as we will be the only two people in our booth for the three days.

See you in Shakopee January 31st.

Barb Standke

OK -- so we've decided to go ahead and do both shows. I hope everyone who attends these shows will talk up with those anglers that haven't fished MWC yet to stop by our booth and pick up an entry form and ask questions, etc. I'll be at both the shows -- and will probably just need one other in the booth with me. Several have offered to help in Shakopee so that one's covered well. (For those of you who contacted me -- I'll provide a schedule of "shifts" and you can let me know if what I've planned works for you or make changes at that point.)

I have only one "tentative" offer for help in Milwaukee. Any anglers that live within easy driving distance of Milwaukee - would you be willing to work in the booth with me for a shift within the three show days? February 14, 15, 16?

Kristine

Kristine, I live in the Madison, Wisconsin area and would appreciate the opportunity to help out at any of the sportshows in Wisconsin. Please send me and e-mail at steve.small@strand.com if you still need help.

Thank you!

KRISTINE
MYSELF,TOM SOWINSKI,KEVIN DAHL AND STEVE STACK WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP OUT AT THE MILWAUKEE SHOW FOR ONE THE DAYS LET US KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING
JEFF ZAWICKI

OK -- will drop you something in the mail. Thanks!