Discover Boating & Fishing Tour to expand
CHICAGO – Research conducted on the Discover Boating & Fishing Tour presented by Water Works Wonders shows that at least 3 percent of consumers have purchased boats since their visit to the mobile tour, the National Marine Manufacturers Association said in a release today. The research was conducted by Info-Link Technologies for NMMA, which produces the tour.
Because of the effectiveness of the tour, NMMA plans to expand it.
“This research sample is a strong representation of the total audience for the Discover Boating and Fishing Tour,” said Peter Houseworth of Info-Link Technologies. “Since the results of our analysis only represent people who have already purchased and registered a boat, this number can only go up.”
By the time the tour draws to a close in November, it will have traveled nearly 22,000 miles, creating more than 13 million impressions on the road, and nearly 10 million through public relations initiatives. More than 150,000 people are expected to experience the entire interactive exhibit, with the tour having generated more than 45,000 leads.
“I saw the results from the mobile tour at the Minnesota State Fair,” said Mike Menne of Premier Boats, which sold at least 11 boats after participating for a weekend in the mobile tour display. “Premier had been at this event in the past, but never with the truck and never with such phenomenal results. I saw for myself that the truck did its job. I would recommend participating in the tour to any other boat builder or dealer. We achieved uncommon results — unlike any we’ve seen in the past.”
Expansion planned for 2005
Discover Boating Director Steve Tadd said that expansion plans for next year are already in the works.
“The tour has excited the public and generated sales for the industry,” said Discover Boating Director Steve Tadd. “Based on this year’s success, and the impact the tour has had on consumers, we are planning on expanding the mobile marketing display in 2005.”
The layout of the mobile marketing display will be expanded to 6,000 square feet (compared to its current 4,000 square feet layout) and a new Mini Boat Show will be introduced, which will allow up to 10 boats to be showcased at each event, NMMA said.
Tadd and Discover Boating staff will host private tours of the mobile marketing display at IBEX. Free Virtual Tour DVDs are also available. To order a DVD or to schedule a tour, visit www.discoverboating.com/ibex. For more information, contact Tadd at (312) 946-6246; stadd@nmma.org.
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