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2/21/2019 10:30 am  #1


Outdoor Adventure Show

Who is headed to the Outdoor Adventure Show this weekend? What's the main draw for you?

I'm still trying to decide whether it is worth making the trip down to the city or not. I would have liked to go on Sunday morning to hear Justin Barbour speak but I'm not free that day.

https://outdooradventureshow.ca/toronto/

 

2/21/2019 12:35 pm  #2


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

I'd go, but im afraid I'd buy a new Kevlar canoe from Bill Swift.  And no i'm not disciplined enough to leave my plastic in the truck.

 

2/21/2019 1:40 pm  #3


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

My friend and I will be in attendance on the Sat, and looking forward to meeting / listening to Alex and Noah from Northern Scavenger... I really enjoy their content we have been inspired to trip in Wabakimi this year thanks to them.
We also haven't been to the show in a couple of years, so we might as well.

and I agree with "Swift Fifteen" ..... I will also probably buy some gear I already have / don't really need!

 

2/21/2019 8:24 pm  #4


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

Im going mainly because I've never gone before so I figure it's worth checking out at least once. Still deciding between Sat or Sun... if anyone has any recommendations which day will be better based on speakers etc. feel free to let me know.


Trip Reports & Campsite Pictures
algonquinbeyond.com
 

2/21/2019 10:41 pm  #5


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

Going first thing Friday morning. Looking for a few things, and see what deals are to be had for a new canoe.

 

2/22/2019 9:24 am  #6


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

The Outdoor Adventure show isn't a big one. It is a bit more focused on gear that folks here are interested in but still not a big show. 

From what I saw last year, if you are shopping for a new canoe then you would get more variety at either the Cottage Life show in March or the Toronto Boat Show back in January. 

 

2/23/2019 4:04 pm  #7


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

I just got back.
Saw Brad Jennings and Leah Catherine from Explore the Backcountry showing slides of their trip down the Pukaskwa coast of Lake Superior. They had practised their talk, and it showed.
Also saw a few minutes of Camper Christina presenting about solo tripping. It was too crowded at this point so I went elsewhere after five minutes, just because of the jostling.
Becky Mason did a demo in the pool. The pool is about 20 feet by 50 feet. She never once hit the edge of the pool, paddling a 16foot prospector she had never been in before. If you’ve never seen her paddle, you wouldn’t believe how effortlessly she can manoeuvre a canoe.

Kevin Callan was signing copies of his new book up front at The Cdn Outdoor Equipmt Co. Didn’t get a chance to talk to him. And I somehow missed Hap Wilson’s talk.

Had an enjoyable couple of hours, though. Restocked the first aid supplies at First Aid Zone and bought a Silky Bigboy saw at Boreal Ventures.

The usual strange mix of camping, canoeing, scuba diving, and overseas tourism was on display. Souris River, Swift, H2O, and Northstar canoes were there. I noticed the Ontario Parks people were not there—-they usually have a prominent display in the centre. Big push on by Newfoundland and Labrador this year.

That’s my report!

 

2/23/2019 5:56 pm  #8


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

I was there for a very short period of time today. It's a mishmash of a bunch of things that have little in common - would be nice if it was more camping focused instead of throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks. 

Frontenac Outfitters was there, so I got a chance to check out the changes Delta has made to their kayaks, which was nice (that saved me a 3+ hour drive). 

I saw Kevin Callan but didn't get a chance to talk to him because my daughter was far too cranky to let me wait a few minutes for the chance. 

I chatted with Jeff for a few minutes at the Algonquin Outfitters booth and saw their teaser Algonquin map - the first time I've ever actually spoken to him. It was nice to make that connection finally. Looking forward to seeing the full Unlostify Algonquin map. 

Overall I'm still a little mystified what the draw is to that event, but I had no time to explore it in-depth. Taking my 3-year old daughter was not a smart idea. I may go back tomorrow - alone. 

 

2/23/2019 6:16 pm  #9


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

I went today as well for about 2hrs. It was worth checking out since I've never been before, but probably wouldn't go back unless there was someone I specifically wanted to meet/talk to, or a specific purchase I wanted to make.

It actually makes sense that they have a bunch of different categories in the one event; if it was just camping or canoeing, it would be too small and there wouldn't be enough draw to the event. Having several different categories will bring in a more varied demographic of people. And from an exhibiting standpoint, it gives organizations the opportunity to speak with potential customers that have an interest in a related category. If I'm a canoe tripper, maybe something from the scuba section will draw me in; I have the general "outdoor enthusiast" gene in me... but I would never buy a ticket for a scuba consumer show otherwise. ​Working in marketing I've attended and exhibited at quite a few consumer and industry shows, and they're all pretty much the same. We're just biased because we're part of the niche camping community so we want a show that tailors specifically for us, but in the broader sense, for it to be successful they need to attract the general masses... so calling it Outdoor Adventure and having several categories is pretty much essential.

For example, there's the Wilderness and Canoeing Symposium, which is more niche focused, but I assume will be a completely different experience.


Trip Reports & Campsite Pictures
algonquinbeyond.com
 

2/24/2019 10:09 am  #10


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

@trippythings. The Outdoor Adventure Show and the Wilderness Canoe Symposium really benefit from the presence of each other.

A lot of speakers at the Show are actually in town for the Symposium (always the same weekend), and the show gives them a chance to get paid for being in Toronto, e.g., Becky Mason, Justin Barbour

Last edited by Methye (2/24/2019 10:15 am)

 

2/24/2019 10:22 pm  #11


Re: Outdoor Adventure Show

I went on Friday with one of my sons to wander and look at a Keewaydin. Worked Sat and today, wondering now if I met anyone I was at the Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co.

 

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