ATA’s 20th trade show was certainly an amazing event, and like so many before it, it went by in a flash. Today was a day of tying up loose ends, finishing off those checklists, and seeing good friends one last time with a bittersweet goodbye.
Although things were winding down and a handful of people left a little early, business was still a priority for the dealers. I saw one dealer in particular make an order for Wac’em Broadheads with less than 15 minutes before the show floor closed. Dealers in general had nothing but good things to say. They made some killer deals and all seemed very optimistic for the year ahead.
With 615 exhibitors, 95 hundred attendees, and 229,000 square feet in booth space, this year was indeed a powerhouse of a trade show. The booths and displays were nothing short of breathtaking.
It truly warmed my heart to see the friendship and generosity that flows through the veins of this amazing industry. We’re all usually so scattered across the country in our own little niches, but bringing the archery world into one convention center served as a testament to the strong and beautiful future ahead.
I think we all owe a big thank you to Louisville and the staff of the Kentucky Expo Center for hosting this landmark event. But an even bigger thank you is due to the ATA for masterminding the whole thing. I’m certainly not as familiar with any other industry as I am with archery, but I can confidently say that the ATA is one of the best unifying factors for a particular trade in the entire world. They truly care about each and every one of their members and want nothing more than for the industry to grow.
It went by in a flash and we may not have done everything we hoped to do, but hey, 2017 will be here before we know it. Hope to see you in Indiana for the 2017 ATA Trade Show. Let’s see if we can make the next one even better!
