Ok I called the Minneapolis Convention center where the show is usually held. They said that it is not at the Convention Center it moved over to St. Paul at Rivercenter with the Ice Fishing show. I know the snowmobile show has sucked the past 5-6 years but I need to get a new bag and I was hoping to look at avalanche backpacks since I was not able to go to Haydays. Talked to the woman who is managing the ice fishing show and she said that there will stuff there but on a smaller scale. Polaris, Arctic Cat, Yamaha are in but Ski Doo is not sure yet. Who would have thought that in MN this would happen? I know we have crappy wintes now. But if you miss Haydays it appears that you are now screwed with looking at stuff. Very frustrating!!
MN Snowmobile show - grrrrr!!!!
- Thread starter Delo
- Start date
The snow show was a joke, it was good 5 years ago but alot of things have changed now. we pulled out 2 years ago cause they wanted $10,000 for a spot and we would sell maybe $3,000 worth of clothing. Polaris even pulled out a couple years ago and left it up to the dealers to bring down there own invintory.
J
jafraune
Well-known member
Just curious....since I am from Rosemount orginally....if you dont mined me asking...
What dealer/company do you work for?
i work at Diggers Polaris & Marine in Prior Lake for 4 years and now ive been at our new store in Victoria for a year and half getting this place going.
Dates are Dec 5-7 at at the St. Paul River Centre (I thought center is spelt c e n t e r). http://www.rivercentre.org/calendar/?MONTH_CHOICE=12&YEAR_CHOICE=2009 The lady I was talking to about the show said the same thing cummins17 said. That the dealers pulled out and since you cannot buy directly from the manufactures at the show not much for sales. She said she told the manufactures that if you cannot get your dealers to show up to sell your product then people will not want to come. First time I was at show like 7 years was very nice. Been going down hill ever since.
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firecatguy
Well-known member
That show has gone from a snowmobile only show to a ski and snowmobile show to motorcycle and snowmobile show!!!the thing I don't get is people come to it seems to be busy every time I go.
I have been going to this show since the early 80s and will say its gone down hill since then..
I have been going to this show since the early 80s and will say its gone down hill since then..
These shows get bought and sold by different organizations. Unfortunately, if you don't work or play in the industry it becomes very hard to promote. Especially if you have no idea what you are promoting. 
The best thing would be to bring it back to a ski and snowmobile show. Last year they had an unsuccessful ski show then the next week had an unsuccessful snowmobile show. Our industries share many of the same destinations so most of them stopped coming to either show. We both need avalanche classes etc.
Plus these shows become less appealing to the public. High cost of entrance and then you are through the whole show in an hour. Bar stool racing might be entertaining for a little while, but I would rather see freestyle snowmobile, ski and snowboarders. As well, clinics by top pro's and autograph signings would have helped. Possibly snowmobile mod and custom builds like the western show's. More actual manufactures displaying and promoting product rather than having just the dealers take care of it.
Sorry, just some ideas we have been throwing at them for the past 2 years. It obviously didn't do any good.
The best thing would be to bring it back to a ski and snowmobile show. Last year they had an unsuccessful ski show then the next week had an unsuccessful snowmobile show. Our industries share many of the same destinations so most of them stopped coming to either show. We both need avalanche classes etc.
Plus these shows become less appealing to the public. High cost of entrance and then you are through the whole show in an hour. Bar stool racing might be entertaining for a little while, but I would rather see freestyle snowmobile, ski and snowboarders. As well, clinics by top pro's and autograph signings would have helped. Possibly snowmobile mod and custom builds like the western show's. More actual manufactures displaying and promoting product rather than having just the dealers take care of it.
Sorry, just some ideas we have been throwing at them for the past 2 years. It obviously didn't do any good.
The first time I went they had bar stool racing and bmx freestyle stuff. I think they had a ramp set up over by the food place. The main area was all snowmobile stuff, ski stuff, and they had a big screen showing movies on one side. And then over in 2 smaller rooms they had boats & jet skiis. I took Mike Duffy's avalanche class down there too, that was at least 4-5 years ago. I would like to take his class again but if the show sucks that may not be a draw for him to come. Maybe a good winter will change things. I have a hard time thinking that the number of us snowmobilers are way down.
S
snowww1
Well-known member
The show was not very exciting and was expensive. I believe quite a few people were making suggestions for improvements, but no changes were made.
The avalanche classes will continue in Minnesota. Go to www.avalanche1.com and look at the schedule page. I will cover avalanche packs in class and have some on display. Mike Duffy
The avalanche classes will continue in Minnesota. Go to www.avalanche1.com and look at the schedule page. I will cover avalanche packs in class and have some on display. Mike Duffy
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firecatguy
Well-known member
Ya monte sounds like you could do a great job!!!
Thanks Mike for the info on the avalanche classes. I was hoping you were coming back to the area but was not sure how to find out when and where you were going to be. I will forward your link to a couple of my friends and we will definitely pick a date for your class. Thanks again.
