I am looking for some advice, I would like to know if you all think it is worth it to rent a booth in the Northeast Sports Show. I would have a few demo rods for people to see, and some rods that I would be willing to sell right at the show. The rental cost for the booth is $435 for the three day weekend. Do you think that I will make any profit? Also, If I choose to rent a booth should I have a display of diferent components, or a catalog with components for people to choose from. I would be selling rods and taking orders for rods, not selling components.
Thanks
-Josh

You'd certainly want to cover all the bases you could, so I'd take rods, parts, photos, etc. If you have a business card or brochure that you give out that refers people back to your website or business, so much the better.

Keep in mind that the results of attending such a show are not immediately known during the 3 day event. Hopefully you'll sell some rods and take some orders while you're there, but it's important to remember that what you really want to do there is advertise - get your name out, show your rods, and make some contacts. You will most likely find that results come weeks or even months after the show when people who saw you there get in touch later, when they're had time to think about it and made the decision to get a rod. Or perhaps they tell someone else - a buddy who they see later and mention you to.

One last thought - take a notebook and encourage people to sign up for your newsletter or just to be on your mailing list. Or offer to have a contest and give a rod away or something. This will help you build a contact/mailing list which can be helpful down the road.

.............

In addition to all the good advice above I suggest setting up your rod wrapping stand and drying unit with a rod (or more) in motion. Demonstrate the rod building process. That will definitely attract an audience and their inevitable questions will increase personal contact. As Tom said, the net benefits will extend long past the show is over. Raffling off a rod is a great idea. The names you collect provide a great resource for future mailings. A future flyer advertising custom rods as Christmas gifts, for instance, can be a winner when you have such a targeted audience. Get your business card into as many hands as you can. "Cast your bread upon the water..."
Dave