Big Rock Sports Show East

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I just got back from Raleigh, NC where I worked a booth on behalf of one of my sponsors, Big Game Treestands. Big Rock Sports is a major sporting goods distributor and these shows are put together for manufacturers to display their new gear and for dealers to place orders for the upcoming year. This was my first experience working on the dealer/distributor side of the business so needless to say I learned a lot. I got to meet Zach Barrett who is head of pro staff as well as sales and marketing for Big Game Treestands and several Hudalla reps who do a great job marketing our products.

Big Game has some really nice new stands coming out this year in an all-new Platinum Collection. These stands have higher end features and are well-designed for comfort and safety. There's also a new safety harness and trail cam coming out, plus a whole slew of new accessories.


Another thing that I found very interesting was the effect that the recent gun control issues and spiking gun sales has had on dealers. Most of them were spending the bulk of their time on ordering guns and ammunition from those vendors, then using what was left to buy the remaining hunting and fishing gear. Gun manufacturer reps such as Remington and Federal Ammunition were reporting astronomical sales numbers that will take them most of the year to fill.

It's hard to blame the dealers...that's where the money is right now. I expect this trend to continue until the gun control debate is temporarily resolved or at least subsides. I say temporarily because new laws that are put into place never have the effect that their liberal writers have in mind and only serve to restrict the freedoms of law abiding citizens. Soon enough, these gun control proponents will demand new legislation. But enough of that soapbox for now.

I had a great experience at the show and I'm looking forward to working more with the guys at Big Game this year. Most of he guys are now at the ATA show in Louisville, KY this week. I've seen some pics of the booth there and it looks awesome. Hopefully next year I will be in attendance.

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