ShowSpan Michigan Announces 2014 Ultimate Sports Show Schedule
OutdoorHub 10.29.13
ShowSpan, Inc., Michigan’s largest producer of consumer shows, today announced 2014 dates for its Ultimate Sport Show tour. The “Big Three” lineup includes two shows in the Detroit market and the state’s longest-running show in Grand Rapids.
Each year the Ultimate Sport Show tour attracts over 100,000 anglers, hunters, campers, boaters, conservationists and lovers of nature and the outdoors. Patrons come from throughout Michigan as well as Ohio, Indiana, Ontario and beyond.
“We’re excited about the upcoming sport show season. Our exhibitor space is filling up fast with hundreds of vendors returning and lots of interest from new vendors wanting to join the Ultimate Sport Show Tour,” said show manager Ben Nielsen. “Boat buyers will have a large selection of watercrafts to view at each of the shows and we have some of the best talent in the country including nationally-acclaimed bass experts such as Mark Zona for seminars at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi during the Ultimate Fishing Show in January.”
Outdoorama patrons will receive free crossover admission to the 7th Annual Cottage and Lakefront Living Show – Detroit, which will run concurrently with Outdoorama at the Suburban Collection Showplace in February.
“We’re adding more and more talent and exhibitors as the season approaches,” said Nielsen, who added that he was excited to see the Michigan Taxidermy Association returning to the Ultimate Sport Show – Grand Rapids, at DeVos Place. “The taxidermy display is awesome! There is always a steady stream of people taking the escalator up to the second floor to see all the mounts done by the best taxidermists in the state. Everything up there is truly a work of art.”
Here are suggested listings for each show on the Ultimate Sport Show tour:
The Ultimate Fishing Show—Detroit, January 9 to 12 at the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, features hundreds of the newest fishing boats and more than 200 booths of fishing gear, outfitters, guides and lodges, all right here in America’s largest freshwater fishing market. An all-star lineup of professional anglers who entertain and educate show patrons is an annual highlight of the show and this year’s cast leaves no stone unturned. Led by Michigan’s own Mark Zona, more than 75 free seminars are planned for novice to expert anglers. Special features: 110,000-gallon Lake Ultimate, Hawg Trough demo tank, Ice Fishing Extravaganza, Ice Shanty Truck Load Sale, Virtual Fishing Simulator, Shore Lunch Fish Fry, Kids Trout Pond and much more. Hours: Thursday, 3 to 9:30; Friday, 11 to 9:30; Saturday, 10 to 9; Sunday, 10 to 5. Admission: $10 adults, $4 children 6 to 14, free for children 5 and under. Information: www.UltimateFishingShow.com or 800-328-6550.
The 41st Annual Outdoorama, February 27 to March 2 at the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, is one of Michigan’s most popular shows for hunters, anglers, campers, boaters, hikers, conservationists, canoeists and wildlife enthusiasts. More than 150 booths of new products and fishing boats, pontoons, canoes, kayaks, deck boats and runabouts are in the show. Outfitters from across North America and beyond will be present at Outdoorama so show patrons can get the early jump on booking a hunting, fishing or adventure trip. Over 50 free hunting and fishing seminars by national experts including Mark Romanack, Mark Martin and Fred Abbas are scheduled, along with special appearances by Michigan Out-of-Doors TV hosts Jimmy Gretzinger and Jenny Olson. Big Buck Night,” “Wildlife Encounters,” a daily Fish Fry, deer, turkey, bear and elk scoring by Commemorative Bucks of Michigan, a Trout Pond for kids, and Milt Wilcox’s “Ultimate Air Dogs” are among many special features and crowd favorites. The show is held in conjunction with the 7th annual Cottage and Lakefront Living Show – Detroit, providing patrons with two major shows for one admission. Hours: Thursday, 3 to 9:30; Friday, noon to 9:30; Saturday, 10 to 9; Sunday, 10 to 5. Admission: $10 adults, $4 children 6 to 14, free for children 5 and under. Information: www.Outdoorama.com or 800-328-6550.
The 69th Annual Ultimate Sport Show—Grand Rapids, March 20 to 23 at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW in downtown Grand Rapids, is one of the largest and longest-running outdoor shows in the country. The show covers over four acres and includes an outstanding display of fishing boats, more than 350 exhibitors showcasing fishing tackle, hunting gear, outfitters, lodges, guides, charter fishing and adventure-travel destinations throughout North America and abroad There will also be more than 100 non-stop fishing and hunting seminars on four stages, including 110,000-gallon Lake Ultimate. Walleye professionals Marianne Huskey, Mark Martin, Mark Romanack and Tommy Skarlis, bass pro Joe Thomas along with hunting experts Denny Geurink and Fred Abbas highlight the star-studded seminar lineup. The Michigan Taxidermists Association will hold its statewide competition right at the show so patrons will be able to view hundreds of the state’s best mounts. Special features: Milt Wilcox’s “Ultimate Air Dogs,” “Big Buck Night West,” The Hawg Trough, the Trout Pond for kids, carvings by the Woodland Woodcarvers, NWTF turkey calling competition and more. Hours: Thursday, 3 to 9:30; Friday, 11 to 9:30; Saturday, 10 to 9; Sunday, 10 to 5. Admission: $10 adults, $4 children 6 to 14, free for children 5 and under. Information: www.UltimateSportShow.com or 800-328-6550.
