THERE ARE BOAT SHOWS, BUT THERE IS THE FISHING SHOW!
A BREIF OVERVIEW OF HOW WE BECAME A PREMIER EVENT DEDICATED TO ALL FISHERMAN
FOR OVER 30 YEARS THE FISHING SHOW HAS BEEN HELD IN THE KNOXVILLE AREA, BUT WITH SEVERAL (DIFFERENT) OWNERS AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS THE SUCCESS OF THE SHOW HAD BEEN UP AND DOWN, AND ALMOST TO THE POINT OF FAILURE.
IN 2010 A NEW OWNER SHELIA BUNCH STEPPED IN WITH A DRIVE, PASSION, AND DETERMINATION TO CREATE THE BEST FISHING SHOW OF IT’S TYPE IN THE SOUTHEAST.
THE FIRST THING THAT TOOK PLACE WAS THE SHOW WAS RENAMED “THE EAST TENNESSEE FISHING SHOW”. THE NEXT STEP WAS TO REBUILD THE SHOW WITH EXHIBITORS, VENDORS, AND BOAT DEALERS WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON THE FISHING INDUSTRY.
AFTER MAKING MANY CHANGES, EACH YEAR THERE WAS STEADY GROWTH WHICH LED TO REACHING FULL CAPACITY AT THE JACOBS BUILDING AND A WAITING LIST OF EXHIBITORS. WE OUTGREW OUR VENUE.
DUE TO THE INCREASING DEMAND THE DECISION WAS MADE TO MOVE TO THE KNOXVILLE EXPO CENTER, WITH OVER 90,000 SQUARE FEET OF AVAILABLE SPACE. THE NEW FACILITY ALLOWED A MORE STREAM-LINED MOVE IN AND OUT FOR EXHIBITORS AS WELL AS BEING IN AN AREA THAT IS MORE CONVENIENT TO RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND THE ACCESS TO THE GREATER KNOXVILLE AREA.
THE FIRST YEAR AT THE NEW LOCATION IT WAS NEVER EXPECTED TO REACH FULL CAPACITY – BUT TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO OPENING DAY THE EVENT WAS SOLD OUT OF EXHIBITOR SPACE WITH A WAITING LIST FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A GREAT FAMILY FRIENDLY FISHING EVENT TO ATTEND FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS A PASSION FOR FISHING!
