SNEWS Exclusive: Paddlesports Retailer will offer free lodging for earlybirds

Paddlesports Retailer, the new paddle-centric trade show designed “for paddlers, by paddlers,” says it’s taking that commitment seriously. To jump start its first-ever trade show this summer, the show will offer free lodging to the first 200 stores that register to attend.

“The industry is putting its money where its mouth is,” said Paddlesports Retailer manager Marcus Shoffner. “Everything about this show, from its convenient time to its familiar location for paddlers to the onsite experience, has been developed with retailers in mind.”

Buyers who register for the show and book lodging within the designated room block will be given a hotel credit of up to $129 per night for three nights, with a limit of one room per store. The offer will cost Paddlesports Retailer up to $77,000.

“Our endorsement of Paddlesports Retailer as ‘the show for paddlesports’ came with high expectations, and the housing initiative along with readily available rooms make the show increasingly accessible,” said Bill Kueper, VP of Wenonah Canoe, Inc. and chair of the Paddlesports Trade Coalition.

Kueper said additional buyer programs to incentivize participation will be announced soon, but did not elaborate on what those might be.

“The industry will soon be announcing additional buyer programs that continue to define this show as the official national trade show for paddlesports,” he said.

The inaugural Paddlesports Retailer debuts Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Alliant Energy Center.

For more information about how to register or qualify for the incentive, visit paddlesportsretailer.com.