Trade show news

New venue for tackle trade show

An ever-increasing demand for exhibitor space and the inability of the Eskom Convention Centre to provide the necessary resulted in the popular annual SA fishing tackle trade show this year relocating to the Cross Media Conference Centre in Honeydew over the weekend of 4-6 and 6 August.

"We booked the Eskom venue in early February for this weekend and were advised that there were no other bookings, but when we went to measure the hall sizes and to discuss the quotation, we were advised that the ANC Women’s League had access to the two auditoriums and the foyer for the same weekend, even though their booking came in after ours," explains John Pledger, chairman of the SA Fishing Tackle Agents and Distributors (SAFTAD) association, that organises the show.

Since the foyer is essential to accommodate the growing number of exhibitors, this meant that SAFTAD either had to pay a hefty surcharge to ensure exclusivity — which would have resulted in a 57% increase in exhibitions stand prices — or change the dates of the show, which have always been during this first weekend in August. None of these options were viable.

The new venue, The Cross Media Conference Centre in Laser Park, Honeydew, has many benefits, says Pledger — it is very affordable, easily accessible, there is a cafeteria, there will be no other show over the designated weekend, all exhibitors will be in one hall and accommodation is available on site. The downside is, however, that the total available floor space is less than the floor space occupied by exhibitors at the SAFTAD show last year.

Although exhibitors will have to make do with less floor space than before, this new venue is popular with the proposed exhibitors we contacted.

"Eskom actually did us a favour by giving preference to the ANC Woman’s League as they compelled us to go and seek something else — as a result of which we wound up with a superior venue," says Alan Cunningham of Purglas. "It is certainly no less accessible, there is more than adequate parking, good catering is provided and the Muslim community can bring in their own food. Available space is a problem, but if everyone shrinks by 10% we will do it easily. The cost of the venue is also significantly less."

According to Howard Joscelyne of JW Apex the new venue is "very pleasant and the catering and accommodation seem to be above average."

One big venue will be great for all of the exhibitors, says Pieter Strobos. "I was never in favor of the separated scenario created by the Eskom centre, so I am pleased."

The new venue keeps the cosy, intimate feel of the old show and is perfectly positioned half way between the Pretoria/ Krugersdorp Highway and the N1, adds Mark Pledger of Rapala VMC SA. "Catering will be substantially better than in the past, as the new venue has a fully functional kitchen."

While the general sporting goods industry has lost the battle trying to sustain a trade show, the low-key fishing tackle industry show, organised by a committee of enthusiastic distributors, has developed a life of its own with exhibitors re-booking year after year and others clamouring to find exhibition space. This resulted in the number of retail visitors, who know they can view just about all the new launches in one venue, growing year by year.

"The SAFTAD Show has become a premier event which all retailers that want to stay in touch with the latest trends and want to generate a good working relationship with their suppliers should attend," says Andrew Wentzel of WET Sports. "I feel that the show has been, and will carry on being, popular because it is a show about the products available and business is done when you attend this kind of show — there is no fanfare to distract you from doing business. Both the suppliers and retailers realise that this is the opportunity to get to know each other, to get a feeling for the product ranges carried, and to forge relationships for the future."

"This trade show doesn’t dilute its focus: we are the fishing industry for the fishing industry," confirms Mark Pledger.

"It is run by the industry for the industry with equitably split cost and we do not hire people from outside who do not understand the industry," adds Cunningham. "With the exception of Akals, the whole trade gathers together in a joint push. As a result, it is the perfect decision making opportunity for the whole trade. Anyone, however small, who doesn’t come is losing out on a marvellous opportunity."

The tackle show must remain a show that connects the buyer with the distributors, emphasises Joscelyne. "Part of the success is also because the tackle business is not dominated by few large players, but by independent retailers."

Just a word of advice to retail visitors from Mike Philip of The Kingfisher, one of the original exhibitors that got the trade show off the ground: "A one day visit will leave you confused and exhausted, give yourself at least two full days to work through all the exhibitors thoroughly."

All exhibitors agree that the fishing tackle market is growing at a healthy pace.

Mark Pledger believes this is due to the fact that "fishing is definitely receiving greater recognition with big business now using fishing in their lifestyle advertising."

Joscelyne ascribes the above average growth in the fishing tackle industry to new methods of fishing, such as dropshotting and jigging, being developed, as well as different and new rod constructions.

Another reason for the growing interest are the television shows featuring fishing, which also stimulated the market, says Strobos.

He believes that products produced in the East created new opportunities for local distributors, which resulted in more exhibitors showing more products — "although it is not good that copies had been made by a number of them," he adds. "I do believe that most of the tackle trade is driven by passion, not only to catch bigger and better fish, but also to get better equipment for the task and that stimulates interest."

Some exhibitor highlights

The president and MD of Halco Tackle company Australia will attend the show this year. "Neil and Ben Patrick will come and show the all new Halco Max lure," says local distributor Cobus van Biljon. "This new exciting lure is taking the international fishing trade by storm."

Max is a super stable high speed lure with an aggressive action.

"Undoubtedly our main attraction will be the launch of the Watersnake Electric Motors from Jarvis Marine," says local distributor Howard Joscelyne.

Other launches that should be of interest to the trade are new camouflage braids and monofilament from Sufix and a new range of International Reels from Penn.

Daiwa have new reel and rod ranges for the salt water drop shot and verticle jigging applications, bass gear for the more discerning angler, plus the new ultra light Steez baitcaster containing ultra-precision components with a 12-bearing system, says Mike Philip. The Excellor 7’ and 8’ drop shot rods will compliment a series of reels with the Daiwa air bail feature, a super strong lightweight hollow bail with no protrusions to snag line.

The Siglon stable offer 200m of fluoro carbon leader, with an additional hot pink monofilament in the range.

Wave bass lures impregnated with Molopo juice and the salt water sport traces include a variety of slide bait traces using fishmate carbon coated wire power swivels and Mustad Big Gun hooks.

"Previously our products were aimed at a very selective market, very specialized, but this year our exhibition will be aimed more at the broader market, but not lose focus of the specialist market," says Strobos.

Things to look out for are the comprehensive Eagle Claw range, including hooks, swivels, floats etc also packed in bulk.

They will also launch the Composite Development range of blanks and specialist rods for vertical jigging and popping, as well as the Diva fly Rods for female anglers from the same brand. Other new brands and ranges that will be launched are the Carpenter range from Japan for vertical jigging and popping and terminal tackle from Rita fishing tackle in China for vertical jigs etc.

The latest products from Ande monofilament and Alutecnos, big game fishing tackle, will also be launched.

"With the help from our "World Leading" suppliers we will be able to launch most of the 2008 product early for our season," says marketing director Mark Pledger. "This means that the South African dealer will be receiving new products before most of the European dealers will even have a chance to see the products."

"Our Suicide and Octopus long shank hooks will be available in pre-packs this year," says Andrew Wentzel. "We will of course still have them available in boxes of 100 too."

They are also bringing in new multipurpose pliers that can be used to open splitrings, cut braid and crimp sleeves and will also be launching two models of LED headlamps ( 5 bulb & 12 bulb)

"On the STUMPJUMPER range we will have some new and exciting colours and so too on the AUSSIEJUMPERS."