Boat, sport show returns to Schaumburg for third year
In an economy that's taking a bite out of so many people's livelihoods, what chance do sports and hobbies have?
Hopefully, a very good one, if they're as simple and affordable as boating and fishing, says Keith Ogulnick, manager of the Schaumburg Boat & Sport Show.
For a third straight year, this sister event to the January show Ogulnick runs at Chicago's McCormick Place brings suburban boat enthusiasts to the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center this weekend.
Ogulnick admits that consumer-oriented shows like his are taking a bit of a hit in the current economy. In his case, the drop-off seems to be more from those who would normally have come out of curiosity than from the loyal regulars.
"People are a little bit gun-shy about spending, but at shows like this you're always going to see a lot of repeat customers," he said. "The interest in boating continues to be strong. There's a lot of pent-up demand."
A common misperception among the uninitiated is that boating is a pastime for the rich, Ogulnick said. But a major theme of his show is the affordability of boating.
Surveys show that 75 percent of boat owners in America have a household income of less than $100,000, and 90 percent of those have a boat that's 26 feet or less.
"It's a hobby that's more Main Street than Wall Street," Ogulnick said.
With just a little bit of fuel, a boating family can head out and park themselves on a sandbank to fish for a few hours, he said. And some vendors at the show are offering up to three years of free fuel for every boat purchase.
There will be numerous boating and fishing seminars throughout the four days of the show. One of the most interesting will be the historical fishing display by national champion Dan Basore, highlighting the evolution of the sport and its equipment through the last 1,000 years.
The Shimano Trout fishing pond is free for kids 12 and under. As well, there's a U.S. Passport Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (the fishing is good in Canada, too) and Adopt-A-Dog Day from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, sponsored by DuPage County Animal Care & Control.
Each of the four days also features a special promotion for the earliest arrivals.
Today, Thursday, is Daily Herald Discount Day in which the first 200 adults will receive a free flash drive from the Daily Herald. On Friday, Plano Molding's "Take Me Fishing" Day will give a free tackle box to the first 150 kids 12 years old and under.
Saturday's Shimano Day offers the first 200 adults a free "Shimano Takes You Fishing" limited edition DVD. And Sunday is Cabela's Day, in which the first 200 adults will receive a free utility knife from Cabela's.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Schaumburg Boat & Sport Show</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 3-9 p.m. Thursday; 1-9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; 10-5 p.m. Sunday</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $8 for adults; $4 for youths 13-15 years old; free for kids 12 and under. Adults 65 and older pay $6 on Thursday only.</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (312) 946-6200 or <a href="http://www.SchaumburgSportshow.com" target="new">SchaumburgSportshow.com</a></p>