EXPO attendence

[lost]

Well what did you think of EXPO this year?

My thoughts are that it seems to be getting less and less each year. I remember the first year I went, you could barely walk around. The displays/vendors were packed in tight and they even had vendors/displays outside the tent. I realize that the economy has alot to do with decisions by the vendor(s) as whether to come or not, same as with the consumer. Didn't see some of the vendors that have been there in years past, but may have missed them. Didn't see BCA, Snobunje, or any of the ABS companies, just to name a few, but again I may have missed them. I would have really liked to have talked with some of the ABS vendors.
There were some good deals depending on what you were looking for. Spent some hard earned dollars with a couple of vendors.
Enjoyed talking with the Simmons crew, they have a new ski coming out for next season, think they're calling it the Gen 4, but don't quote me on that. Said it was originally designed for the trail, but works really well off the trail also. Ski is 5 1/5"s wide, bottom looks very close to the Gen 3 ski.
New sleds are always great to look at in person vs a picture, plus you get a chance to really look them over. Seemed to me that while I was there that each company had lots of activity around their sleds which was a good sign.
Picked up lots of reading material.
Overall, I'm torn between whether I should have or shouldn't have went. Yes, I got to see the new sleds, got to see and ask questions with several vendors, and got some good deals. Guess you can't put a value on what you saw/learned as compared to what it cost you to do that.
Hope everyone thats there or went had a great time.

 

[IdahoMike]

I went the last 2 years but didn't go this year. I know it's not what it use to be but it's still fun getting to see all the new sleds & vendors in person.

 

[Xrider]

Yeah, kinda sad it's shrinking so far but I'll continue to go until it's no more or I'm no more which ever come first. We had a great time, got a blast of snow thurs night and went from warm spring riding to powder in one day!!

 

[05900]

Expo sucked AZZ

Thanks to the vendors that went!!
Understand many vendors PISSED with the west establishment and venue operations.
It is DONE over DEAD and no way worth 15 bucks to get in to see a few vendors and the OEM's
Worst ever in 10 + years...good thing Hillclimb is 2 weeks out
If you did not go you were SMART! Did not miss anything!.. and why does the Expo in the "Snowmobile Capital" claiming to be "Largest event in the West" have a motorcycle freestyle show???
What a JOKE !

Ok I'm done.....also lol

 

[aebsledder]

I had been a couple of times and opted out this year. I heard it wasn't very good at all. It has been getting steadily worse over the last few years I went. Now J-Hole on the other hand...fun.

 

[Xrider]

Expo is shrinking because of spoiled whiners that want something for nothing and then refuse to go back. I've been hearing the same thing for years even when it was at it's peak. "I'm not spending 10 bucks to get in, blah blah blah, they should pay us, items for sale weren't cheap enough, blah blah". Same ol crap.
I don't get it, great little town, good snow, good people, something different, why not attend?

 

[KMMAC]

Ya,, I'd like to go, even own a sled again would be fun. The rest who whine try NOT sledding at all for say 12 years or so then tell me you got it bad..

 

[Tree Boss]

just got back tonight and I have been going to West for 4 years now. 4 years ago it seems like there were more vendors and twice the people there. For me $25 for talking to vendors, seeing the new sleds and a freestyle show is well worth it.

In 2 weeks it's Jackson Hole and that is by far funnier for me then West. West Yellowstone is a fun road trip but when it comes to total fun factor Jackson has it all. You can even talk to vendors outside the pay area if you don't care to see the new sleds. I also feel like Jackson gets more popular because it's a "Hill Climb" competition and that is something all of us do all winter and it's fun to see the big names try to tame the Mountain.

For me if I had to choose between the 2 it would be Jackson over West Yellowstone, I'm not bashing West because I will go there every year and enjoy it every year!!

BTW the band at the Holiday Inn last night rocked!!, they played last year at the pizza and bar down the street and rocked that place to!! Any band that plays Waylon, Willie and the Boys has my approval, plus the singer does a very good Waylon and Willie voice

 

[cwbyup_22]

There definitely is not as many vendors there, I thought there were more people there looking around this year than the last couple?? It is always fun to go look around, talk to people, see the races and freestyle

 

[xprs rider]

Expo

Have been going here 4 years now with my kids that race snocross,has been up and down had a great time and talked with alot of nice folks,it does cost alot for evereything but I understand it is expensive putting all this together if you knew everything involved you would understand,I think this year was the best for us great racing,vendors and checking out the new sleds was great

 

[CarbonWerx]

Not quite the biggest... by quite a bit

Just got back from the expo and had a great time looking at the new sleds. West is a great town and the people are even better. This was my first time to the expo their and was expecting quite abit more vendors as the "Largest expo in the west" claim would lead you to believe. We went to the expo in Spokane earlier this year.... Now that was a group of vendors to say the least. Blasted West out the water. That said, I will go again. It isn't Jackson Hole or the Spokane Expo but I had a heck of a time chatting with people (both attendees and employees) and the last time I checked, you can't drive your sled down the street in Spokane. You just don't find a nicer community to hang out in.

My 2 cents.


Oh yah and by the way, to the thieves who stole a $hit pot of goods saturday night from the vendors tent... Hope you get a chance to try those shiny new(stolen) helmets out on some very large trees at extremely high speeds in very remote locations.......

Aaron

 

[94fordguy]

Those of you that are even close enough to attend should feel lucky. I wish there was one of those closer around here... oh well... I can't wait for the fall shows and the 3+ hr drive to Puyallup to get my fix

 

[MTdream]

had a GREAT time at the show...definitely was attended better than recent past years...

clearly the attention was Cat centric, with their release...as it should have been...personally, very impressed!!!

 

[richracer1]

This was my first year attending and the G/F and I had great time - plus it's only 2 hours from home. I was expecting to see more vendors, but hey what was there was good. Also got to demo ride a 2012 800 Pro-RMK 155. Power was great, but to me, at my current riding level, just not worth the money to trade up from my '09 700 RMK, expecially since I just got back into sledding after 20+ years and the last sled I rode was a '79 El Tigre. I'll spend much less $$$ and upgrade my 700 and ride it for a few more years.

As for next year, probably only make it a day trip instead of Sat & Sun. Maybe do the Sat/Sun trip for the Jackson hillclimbs next year.

Oh, did any catch/have the web addy they announced for the ariel show sat night?

It would've been nice to have the opportunity to demo the other manufacturer's sleds.

 

[Team Wild]

I have to say I love the Expo. Sure it has some issues but its still a ton of fun with great riding all around. That being said I am sad to be a snowmobilier after this weekend. It was horrible to see people being so disrespectful to a place. Saturday our hotel had a bunch of damage caused to it. Ceiling tiles in the hallway smashed a window overlooking the pool shattered with nobody claiming responsiblity for it. This also sprayed glass into the pool causing it to be shut down (kids were very unhappy about this). Beer cans and bottles littering the halls and all around the pool where they are not allowed. Sunday we walked downtown only to find more beer cans and bottles all over. What a horrible image we leave on a area. After this we wonder why the opposition hates us and wants to keep us out of Yellowstone all together. On Friday night somebody backed into some snowmobiles that were parked in the parking lot. Cops said it looked like someone in a vehicle with knobby tires. Going to the Expo on Saturday morning with the whole family was fun. When we were leaving about 10:30 we had to walk back thru the line where people were already drinking. I don't care if you drink but really 10:30am.... I hope you were not on the trails later that day. Just a sad state of affairs. Im sure I will get flamed for this but maybe own up to the distruction you cause or find a damn trash can.

 

[kevsled59]

We also attended the Expo and bought some anti fog product that doesn't work.

We went there with 11 guys and got ripped off by the Blaze anti fog company. It cleans the lenses but they fog up right away. 9 of the guys paid $20.00 for the kit and used it right away and went riding. Unfortunately the product doesn't work like they said it would.

 

[05900]

Expo is shrinking because of spoiled whiners that want something for nothing and then refuse to go back. I've been hearing the same thing for years even when it was at it's peak. "I'm not spending 10 bucks to get in, blah blah blah, they should pay us, items for sale weren't cheap enough, blah blah". Same ol crap.
I don't get it, great little town, good snow, good people, something different, why not attend?

Yo X the spoiled whiners always weed themselves out. Have spent more there and have spent less there to get in ( manf's picked up tab!! ).

Just wonder why they gotta bend vendors over like they do? It's always a good time even years when you couldn't ride in town,so who has to profit from the admission fees? Vendors pay,We pay,Manufactures pay?,where does it go? ($)

And yeah there are many reasons to go,but have you been there when Expo wasn't?? They shot themselves in the foot and are aiming for the other.

 

[richracer1]

Yo X the spoiled whiners always weed themselves out. Have spent more there and have spent less there to get in ( manf's picked up tab!! ).

Just wonder why they gotta bend vendors over like they do? It's always a good time even years when you couldn't ride in town,so who has to profit from the admission fees? Vendors pay,We pay,Manufactures pay?,where does it go? ($)

And yeah there are many reasons to go,but have you been there when Expo wasn't?? They shot themselves in the foot and are aiming for the other.

Where does all the entrance fees go..... Well, let's see;

Are the Expo shuttles & fuel donated? I didn't pay to use them.
How about the drivers of those shuttles? Were they all volunteering?
How much time,equipment, vehicles, fuel was used to prepare/maintain the competition area? Was all of that donated? How about the people to operate/maintain that area?

So for those whining, think about the above for a moment. The $35 a person I paid for 2 days entry including the ariel show Sat. night is pretty cheap if you ask me.

 

[Team Wild]

Where does all the entrance fees go..... Well, let's see;

Are the Expo shuttles & fuel donated? I didn't pay to use them.
How about the drivers of those shuttles? Were they all volunteering?
How much time,equipment, vehicles, fuel was used to prepare/maintain the competition area? Was all of that donated? How about the people to operate/maintain that area?

So for those whining, think about the above for a moment. The $35 a person I paid for 2 days entry including the ariel show Sat. night is pretty cheap if you ask me.

You forgot the bike show thing.
Extra police presents.
Trash pick up and disposal.
extra crutches for the clinic (sorry saw alot of them this weekend)

 

[Clarke673]

IMO, the coolest part was seeing sam rogers with a torn acl doing backflips. I went riding that day up taylors fork and it was epic. WE had it all to ourselves.