UPDATED – March 30, 2023: The Expo Centre welcomed over 36,000 outdoor enthusiasts to the 2023 edition of the Edmonton Boat and Sportsmen’s Show. From March 16-19, the show floor was taken over by hundreds of exhibitors from the outdoors, hunting, and fishing communities who were gearing up for the upcoming season.
“It was obvious from attendance numbers and conversations with exhibitors that Alberta’s outdoor community is eager to get this season started,” said Show Manager, Les Trendall “We seriously couldn’t have asked for a better weekend, thanks to all who came out.”
Visitors had the chance to win many great prizes over the course of the weekend. Congratulations to the following winners:
- Shawn Henry, winner of a houseboating trip for 15 people, valued at $3728, provided by Twin Anchors
- Amanda Knapton, winner of a $2500 Gift Certificate from Rapid Revolutions
- Anita Kuffert, winner of a ‘His’ On-The-Go Prize Pack courtesy of Kailani
- Laurie Lynn Warehime, winner of a ‘Hers’ On-The-Go Prize Pack courtesy of Kailani
- Jayne Bauer, winner of a Benchmade Meatcrafter Fixed Blade Knife from Knife Life!
- Carmen Skelton, winner of a Cellular Trail Cam provided by Reconeco
- Emilian Matveev, winner of a Prize Pack from High Caliber
- Matthew Jones, winner of the Scotty Boating prize pack
- Alison Landon, Kyle James Ray Stotyn and Chantal Widynowski who all won a pair of Dock Shocks from Canada Dock Shoxs
Exhibitors have been quick to express their excitement to return for future editions:
“We had a great turnout and generated lots of interest in our new & existing boat lines. Looking forward to coming back next year.” – Braden Panasiuk of Gibbons Motor Toys
For our first-time at the show, the experience was perfect. The people working there were nice to chat with and always ready to help. We decided before the end of the show that we would be back next year. – Eric Chaumont of Impact Outdoor Supplies
The Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s show is one of our favorite shows to attend. It’s an excellent opportunity to see our customers face to face and for them to have a hands-on experience with our product. We are pleased to say that the show is extremely organized and well put together. – Jamal of APA Archery
“We had an incredible 4 days at the 2023 Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s Show. Lots of laughs, talking fishing and hunting with old and new friends. (Even better than laughs are the bookings!) THANK YOU to Team EBSS for making the show so easy to be a part of. Count us in for 2024!” – Kim Reeve of Adventure Destination International
This was one of the best shows that I’ve ever experienced in Canada. It was such a thrill watching hunters and anglers booking hunting & fishing trips with local guides and trips of a lifetime with hunting and fishing lodges. Within itself, the show was an amazing adventure. And if you weren’t there, you truly missed out on one of the first outdoor adventures of the 2023 season! – Wes David of Host & Producer of Fishing the Wild West TV
This show would not have been the same without our incredible sponsors: Canadian Tire, Canadream, WildTV, AHEIA, Non-Typical Nation, NASP, Fishing the Wild West TV, Edmonton Fish & Game Association, Out Fly Fishing, YYC Nature and Education Centres, and SCI!
The show will return in 2024. For complete details, visit the show’s website at http://www.edmontonboatandsportshow.ca/ and connect with the show on Facebook, Instagram.
Update courtesy Master Promotions Ltd.
The Edmonton Boat and Sportsman Show went off March 16 to 19. Beautiful weather. Packed halls. Maybe not everything a family or eager camper could want, but lots to see.
Boats from tiny canoes and kayaks all the way up to 30’ in size. Unlike last year, which was basically a recovery year from Covid, the main boat hall was jammed with so many boats, in some places you could walk across 10 or 30 boats without touching the ground.
Last year, boats were spaced out to make the place ‘look full,’ when in fact it was kind of bare.
Prices for just about everything are keeping up with inflation that’s for sure. Boats that a couple years ago were maybe $70,000 new are now past $90,000 on their way to $110,000. Everything below those numbers and above are the same way. Salespeople explained everything, from aluminum to fibreglass to vinyl to motors and electronics are all substantially up.
Interesting, some big exhibitors that were mainstays of the show in years past, like The Fishin’ Hole, didn’t have booths. Lots of stores took their place and did a booming business, even with the high prices. Anybody need a Jeep getting a 700+ horsepower Hellcat motor? It was here.
The bad stuff, depending on your view, is that northwestern Alberta, as in ‘Come and Visit,’ didn’t make an appearance. There were lots of small booths promoting recreation and camping from across Saskatchewan, British Columbia and north eastern Alberta. Northern Alberta and the Peace River country, not at all. If Whitecourt and Swan Hills, which were at the show last year, were there, we somehow missed them. Photos show northern Alberta folks who were there. Or at least, the ones we saw after making our rounds of the three halls at the Expo Centre.
by Jeff Burgar
March 25, 2023
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