ISE Show Recap

I wish the venue wasn't so expensive to attend.
$15 x 2 to get in ~ $30
$10 to park
$15.50 for a sandwich and a soda to eat x 2 ~ $31

$71 just to look at stuff.
I've been to several in the past.
I'm glad to see people enjoying the venue. I hope prices come down a bit next year.

I wish the venue wasn't so expensive to attend.
$15 x 2 to get in ~ $30
$10 to park
$15.50 for a sandwich and a soda to eat x 2 ~ $31

$71 just to look at stuff.
I've been to several in the past.
I'm glad to see people enjoying the venue. I hope prices come down a bit next year.

Yeah, didn't wanna go there! But dont forget gas and bridge toll; another $50 to that...

But  in the end, I think I came out ahead with the 3 camp jacket purchased there; so it was worth it for me....

Did anyone check out the bass aqaUarium? Did you notice that they cut all the spines off the fish? Then they are killed after the show? Huh?

I wish the venue wasn't so expensive to attend.
$15 x 2 to get in ~ $30
$10 to park
$15.50 for a sandwich and a soda to eat x 2 ~ $31

$71 just to look at stuff.
I've been to several in the past.
I'm glad to see people enjoying the venue. I hope prices come down a bit next year.

About the same cost or cheeper than dinner & a movie for 2

Like Bill said: Cheeper!

If you are really interested in talking to someone who knows a certain product and then a good show price it's worth it.

Did anyone check out the bass aqaUarium? Did you notice that they cut all the spines off the fish? Then they are killed after the show? Huh?

Interesting observation. Will take a closer look if I make it to the Fred Hall show in Long Beach.

Spent some two hours on Fri talking to all the kayak guys. About an hour at both booths. Squeezing them for info. Still haven't pulled the trigger and a luxury yak yet. So many choices and so many options. I think I need some info from the guys who don't work there. Not that they are bad guys I just think they are biased to their products. Talked to Don for a bit but he was busy with a vet I think. Hope to see HOW at Hennessey soon.
Brian

Of course the reps from their own companies would want you to buy their product. All I can tell you is to go to paddle demo days this spring and spend time paddling the brands and models that appeal to you.

That is the advice I got from the reps also. I don't think they were trying to steer me wrong but good advice none the less.

I agree the show costs too much.  Don't forget to sign up for their email or go to their website for $2.00 off next year.  I was sorta fortunate to be working the Cal4Wheel booth this year so I kinda missed the expense part but then I did not get to look around much either.  Wilderness Archery did have many compound bows and outside that building they had an archery range for testing.  Since our booth was near the kayaks I did sneak off for looks now and then and had a chance to talk with Jim Sammons who was up for the event. Maybe it was good that I did not get more of a chance to look around.... I did not spend much money.

BTW.... Cal4Wheel is an association of off road clubs and individuals.  It is a critical part of the kayaking I do to keep access to back country.  A major portion of the work they do is to keep public land and trails open.  Think about joining them.

A second BTW.... EVERY sport that I saw at the ISE is under attack in some way in CA.  It is unfortunate but true. Work with those in your sport or it may not be legal in a few years. 

I went to the show sat. with my oldest son, cool father son day !!! We had a blast !!!!! It was pretty cool to introduce
him to all the NCKA guys, he said you guys are like best friends and only get to see each other a few times a year. He said he now sees we I call it a family. He was also shocked at how many people that we knew down there, at our little sports show you may run into 5-10 people you know, I introduced him to probably 35 people 10-15 were NCKA.  Yes the show can be pricey, we drove from Redding, Tickets, parking, LUNCH for a growing young man!!!! but a day with one of your best buddies, my other one had to work, PRICELESS !!!!! Thanks to all the NCKA bothers for making my boy feel like one of the guys, he said he thinks it is time to start doing more with NCKA, and after the show on the ride home, he was planning all kinds of fishing and hunting trips for this year. Again Priceless !!!!!
Jeff 

Of course the reps from their own companies would want you to buy their product. All I can tell you is to go to paddle demo days this spring and spend time paddling the brands and models that appeal to you.

I agree with Craig entirely. With that said, Craig, Chuck, Erik, and myself will tell you the truth and not persuade you into buying something that is wrong for you. Ask us about any kayak and we will help you how we can. If you were looking at a Wilderness boat today and I was talking to you I guarantee that I did not push you to buy a Wildy boat. All I did all weekend was show our boats and the ones I sold I persuaded in no way what so ever. They looked at others and felt that what I showed them suited them well and bought one. I'm sure that would be the same for the other pros I worked with for the last 4 days.