TACKLE Trade World Fair has been cancelled for 2009. Managing director of organisers DHP, Sean O'Driscoll explains the reasons behind the decision. WHEN we launched Tackle Trade World Fair we did so in the hope that we could bring something new to the market place.
A show not tied to an association. A show that was pleasurable to be part of, and a show that offered both exhibitors and visitors real value for money. You will all be aware that last August we held a reasonably successful event at Amsterdam’s Rai Centre. I say reasonably successful because, being brutally honest, we didn’t feel we attracted sufficient visitors to call it a total success.
However, many people complimented the event for its organisation, its look, its location and its user friendliness. Some of the exhibitors even went as far as saying it was the best show they had ever attended.
While we failed to get the visitor numbers that we wanted, we (DHP) still put on a first class event, something that we can never be criticised of not doing. If we are going to do anything we want to make it as professional as possible and as rewarding as possible for all parties.
Our plan this year was to build on what we learned in 2008 and deliver an even better experience but with more visitors. We listened to what our customers wanted and we moved the event to June. Over 85 exhibitors have said yes once again to Amsterdam and we have a viable show financially. The Rai Centre and our contractors have worked very closely with us in looking at all the costings for the event.
The problem is we don’t feel comfortable with only having 85 exhibitors. Yes, there are others still contemplating coming, waiting to see if the economy is going to pick up, but that doesn’t appear to be happening. We don’t feel comfortable asking retailers from around the world to get on a plane and travel thousands of miles to see this number of exhibitors – not in today’s economic climate.
The world has changed over the past three months. Nick Marlow our editor has just returned from China Fish – the number of buyers attending was way down.
We feel uneasy taking good money off exhibitors knowing that the visitors might not turn up because they, along with most businesses, are cutting back on travel costs.
So we have taken the very difficult decision to cancel the Tackle Trade World Fair in 2009.
With four months still to go we can’t gamble with people’s money. Companies need good results this year, and I am not confident that we can deliver them.
Some will argue that we should have just ploughed on with the show and kept our fingers crossed that the visitors turned up. We can’t do that. Morally it would be wrong. We do not want to jeopardise any company’s long-term future for the sake of our short-term gain.
Exhibiting at any event is an expensive exercise and while the TTW Fair was priced very competitively we all know that the real cost of exhibiting is more than double the price of the stand. Flights, hotels, taxis and food all add up. These are costs that all companies will be thinking very seriously about this year!
Those that know the DHP set-up will understand that anything we do must ultimately be good for the industry because angling, fishing, tackle, call it what you want, that’s our business. We cannot survive without you our customer and our intention as always is to do the very best for you.
The decision we have made is based purely on that – trying to do the best for you.

(Source:TACKLE Trade World Magazine)