The 2016 Tunica Manufactured Housing Show began with a strong stream of attendance on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The vast majority we heard from at the show reported plenty of traffic and results. The Daily Business News flash report is linked here.
One might jump back a day to Tuesday afternoon, when all of the professional education for retailers and communities took place. Exhibitors and many – but not all – attendees, liked the change. The basic thought for show management and planners was to allow for more time on the show floor.
A look at Day 2 and the pre-show plan…
One of the manufacturers with a large display of homes told MHProNews that while Day 1 was very good, Day 2 was lighter. That senior professional explained his thought that there may be advantages to having education during Day 2, as a way of attracting and keeping more attendees at the Show.
What made that observation interesting, was that an exhibiting supplier told MHProNews today (Friday) that in an automotive industry trade show they do, that event eventually went to having professional education each and every day of their 4 day event. He explained that it began slowly, but built into a major draw for that show and kept the traffic more even. We’ve invited him to write about that, we’ll let you know if he takes us up on that offer.
Weather, Communications and Tunica
Certainly, weather could have been a factor on Day 2 (Thursday, March 24th) too. But the reality was that the light rain cleared well before noon, leaving most of the day available. As one long time trade show pro told MHProNews, “I wouldn’t invest the time to go to a big trade show and let a little rain run me off.”
Attendees and Exhibitors Alike Praised the 2016 Show
Final numbers are not yet in, but the early reports were that Day 1 (Wednesday, March 23) was well over last year’s total, Thursday and Friday were reportedly down from last year. The overall mood was very good, and builders said that even with lighter traffic, the quality and engagement was good. Supplier exhibitors said that business was brisk Thursday morning, as well as Wednesday.
Given the observations noted above from veterans of the show, the overall result was good. And there are good reasons to think that adjustments in the show for 2017 could result in a record turnout.
Professional Education – a hit
The educational sessions were very well received, with literally every attendee raising their hands saying they found value from the insights and information that received during the seminars, workshops and panel discussion. Professional education will be part of our upcoming video report on the show.
The Bottom Line
All sectors of the industry that attended the 2016 Tunica Show that commented to the Masthead stated they were glad they came. Some attendees told us that they plan to bring more team or location members for 2017. We’ll have a video report of the Sights and Sounds from the 2016 Tunica Show, where you can see and hear first hand what others said on camera.
Top management at the hotel told the Masthead that the rooms stayed full most of the week, and they said it was up from the same time last year.
Learning from Mistakes and Successes – Good Friday and Easter Sunday
Some wondered if the show falling on Good Friday, just before Easter Sunday had an impact on attendees? There are still many – thankfully! – that are moved by their faith. Believers all should be. A manufacturer told me that the current show schedule for the Tunica Show means that roughly every 5 or 6 years, the last day of the show will land on Good Friday.
Speaking of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, our best wishes to all for this Holy Week celebration for some 2.2 billion Christians worldwide. One couldn’t help but be moved by the headline that ISIS has reportedly kidnapped a priest, who may be crucified on Good Friday.
There is far too much political correctness going on in the Western world these days, and innocent souls are paying the price. As a Daily Business News article reported, it is time to get past teddy bears and flowers, and time to pro-actively deal with the violence and threats that jihadists pose to the West.
One hopes that American will learn from the mistakes that have been made in Europe. We may want to be ‘tolerant,’ but if others are intolerant of others faiths and rights, there is then no choice but to have a robust response designed to win. Only one side will win this battle that has been going off and on for about 1400 years. ##
By L. A. ‘Tony’ Kovach.
