2022 Gibtown Trade Show Wrap up - Part II
Industry Optimism Drives New Sales in all Sectors of the Amusement Industry
“People were very optimistic”, said Cody Downs of Waterloo Tent and Tarp about the 2022 IISA Trade Show. He said the “first two days were really good”, taking several orders and speaking to a bunch of clients.
Downs' read on the business is similar to many other suppliers but, like others, labor and supply chain issues are a challenge. Downs says the company is attempting to hire more people, but the labor market is a challenge.
Downs is thankful for the orders and business but laments, “I only wish we could get the products to them sooner”.
Tim Duoos of Gautier Manufacturing echoed Downs' sentiments. The company had a very successful show, selling 4 trailers on just the first day and taking 7 orders. Production is booked now through August of 2023. The company is operating at maximum capacity and while building more equipment, the rising cost of supplies limits their bottom line. Duos has said he has had to even send some business to friends and business partners when he is unable to take on new projects.
On display at the show was a huge basketball game built for Ben Pfeffer of Tons of Fun Amusements. The specialized trailer has 8 foot wings, lockers that hold the amplifiers and speakers, a huge scoreboard, and two air compressors. There is even a parquet floor and play designs on the counter, touches Pfeffer personally came up with.
The impressive trailer garnered a lot of attention and 2 more versions were sold at the show.
Also on display was a Fair Play Blockbuster trailer for Dale Negus. The trailer includes what Duoos calls “Negus walls”, false walls where the roof can fold down without having to remove the stock from the ceiling and walls. The design is a big hit with customers and Duoos plans to build several of his new trailers with the new design.
Dalton is booked up for the year on new rides, but is still able to provide parts, accessories and aluminum products for his many customers.
He is also making replacement cars for customers who need new vehicles or are looking to replace existing ones on one of his rides.
Galaxy has sold video walls to fairs and concessionaires including several to Ray Cammack Shows for use with their concessions.
In addition to the video walls, the company sells truss assemblies that can be fitted with the video walls for maximum impact. Custom signage is also available.
“We had a really good show”, declared Kunz concurring that attendees were optimistic about the 2022 season, spending on new equipment and upgrades.
Jim Frederiksen also had a busy show. While not his best year ever, the veteran builder sold 2 slides and fiberglass replacements. Unlike some other manufacturers, Frederiksen still has the ability to build for the coming season.
Frederiksen said he had about 20 leads or so from the show but only the capacity to build for several of them. “The ones that place the orders are the ones that will get the products”, he said. “The others will be left out”.
In the past, it was not unusual for Frederiksen to have inventory ready to go with slides on the shelf, ready to ship, but that is not the case any more as there is a backlog in production.
Frederiksen, who made a major donation to the Museum of the American Carnival, recently donated 1.5 million to the Tampa Veteran's Civic Center and Tampa Green Beret Association for a special forces building.
Wadkins is building a new wheel for Kissel Amusement Company in 2022 and version for Big O Amusements in 2023. Other deliveries and sales include CDAC, Modern Midways, Pride of Texas Shows and TDK LLC.
Roger Wadkins, Jr. also said they had a great year and were booked into 2023.
While they had a smaller footprint than normal, the team at Rides 4 U did not hold back in the sales arena.
“It always pays to come to Gibtown”, declared Len Soled of the company. “I'm very pleased by the quality of the buyers. I sold 8 attractions at the show in just three days”, he added. Soled is going to increase his footprint in 2023 and increase the number of rides on display.
On display at the show in 2022 was a Mini Crazy Dance, from Visa. The ride on display was purchased by North American Midway Entertainment and themed Raptor Run. This is the second version of the ride for NAME and they currently have a third on order.
The Beach Buggies ride, made by SBF, is going to Big Rock Amusements. A second ride was sold to Bates Brothers Amusement Company.
A dog themed Mini-Jet with new special rack was sold to Andy Schoendienst and Durant Amusements purchased a mini Pirate ride themed the Flying Dragon. Another Mini Pirate was sold to Houghton Enterprises.
Soled also sold a used Freak Out to Rainier Amusements of Washington.
Commenting that “the park business is really good”, Soled told Carnival Warehouse of his sale of a 36' Chance carousel to Icon park in Orlando.
After a solid run at the IAAPA convention, the Gibtown success was a nice follow up. “We had a good run. We are working on a bunch of deals while we are here and we will be working leads after the show. I expect to see more sales in the coming weeks”, he concluded.
Downs' read on the business is similar to many other suppliers but, like others, labor and supply chain issues are a challenge. Downs says the company is attempting to hire more people, but the labor market is a challenge.
Downs is thankful for the orders and business but laments, “I only wish we could get the products to them sooner”.
Gautier
Tim Duoos of Gautier Manufacturing echoed Downs' sentiments. The company had a very successful show, selling 4 trailers on just the first day and taking 7 orders. Production is booked now through August of 2023. The company is operating at maximum capacity and while building more equipment, the rising cost of supplies limits their bottom line. Duos has said he has had to even send some business to friends and business partners when he is unable to take on new projects.
On display at the show was a huge basketball game built for Ben Pfeffer of Tons of Fun Amusements. The specialized trailer has 8 foot wings, lockers that hold the amplifiers and speakers, a huge scoreboard, and two air compressors. There is even a parquet floor and play designs on the counter, touches Pfeffer personally came up with.
The impressive trailer garnered a lot of attention and 2 more versions were sold at the show.
Also on display was a Fair Play Blockbuster trailer for Dale Negus. The trailer includes what Duoos calls “Negus walls”, false walls where the roof can fold down without having to remove the stock from the ceiling and walls. The design is a big hit with customers and Duoos plans to build several of his new trailers with the new design.
Dalton Kid Ride Rebuilders
Kevin Dalton, short on help as well, is reluctant to book “big work” — building whole rides — due to the labor shortages. “I sold what I wanted to sell”, he said of his show experience.Dalton is booked up for the year on new rides, but is still able to provide parts, accessories and aluminum products for his many customers.
He is also making replacement cars for customers who need new vehicles or are looking to replace existing ones on one of his rides.
Galaxy
“The future is video”, declared Scott Kunz of Galaxy Amusement Sales. “You have to wow the public and our video walls are high quality and affordable enough to get maximum return on investment”, he added.Galaxy has sold video walls to fairs and concessionaires including several to Ray Cammack Shows for use with their concessions.
In addition to the video walls, the company sells truss assemblies that can be fitted with the video walls for maximum impact. Custom signage is also available.
“We had a really good show”, declared Kunz concurring that attendees were optimistic about the 2022 season, spending on new equipment and upgrades.
Frederiksen Fun Slides
Jim Frederiksen also had a busy show. While not his best year ever, the veteran builder sold 2 slides and fiberglass replacements. Unlike some other manufacturers, Frederiksen still has the ability to build for the coming season.
Frederiksen said he had about 20 leads or so from the show but only the capacity to build for several of them. “The ones that place the orders are the ones that will get the products”, he said. “The others will be left out”.
In the past, it was not unusual for Frederiksen to have inventory ready to go with slides on the shelf, ready to ship, but that is not the case any more as there is a backlog in production.
Frederiksen, who made a major donation to the Museum of the American Carnival, recently donated 1.5 million to the Tampa Veteran's Civic Center and Tampa Green Beret Association for a special forces building.
Wadkins
Wadkins is building a new wheel for Kissel Amusement Company in 2022 and version for Big O Amusements in 2023. Other deliveries and sales include CDAC, Modern Midways, Pride of Texas Shows and TDK LLC.
Roger Wadkins, Jr. also said they had a great year and were booked into 2023.
Rides 4 - U
While they had a smaller footprint than normal, the team at Rides 4 U did not hold back in the sales arena.
“It always pays to come to Gibtown”, declared Len Soled of the company. “I'm very pleased by the quality of the buyers. I sold 8 attractions at the show in just three days”, he added. Soled is going to increase his footprint in 2023 and increase the number of rides on display.
On display at the show in 2022 was a Mini Crazy Dance, from Visa. The ride on display was purchased by North American Midway Entertainment and themed Raptor Run. This is the second version of the ride for NAME and they currently have a third on order.
The Beach Buggies ride, made by SBF, is going to Big Rock Amusements. A second ride was sold to Bates Brothers Amusement Company.
A dog themed Mini-Jet with new special rack was sold to Andy Schoendienst and Durant Amusements purchased a mini Pirate ride themed the Flying Dragon. Another Mini Pirate was sold to Houghton Enterprises.
Soled also sold a used Freak Out to Rainier Amusements of Washington.
Commenting that “the park business is really good”, Soled told Carnival Warehouse of his sale of a 36' Chance carousel to Icon park in Orlando.
After a solid run at the IAAPA convention, the Gibtown success was a nice follow up. “We had a good run. We are working on a bunch of deals while we are here and we will be working leads after the show. I expect to see more sales in the coming weeks”, he concluded.
Hitch-Hiker Mfg.
Holly Swartz talks about Gibtown 2022, Hitch Hiker's actions during the Pandemic and a look at what's to come in our video interview below.
2022 Gibtown Trade Show Coverage
- Trade Show Photo Gallery
Photos of equipment, displays, and attendees at the show - 2022 Gibtown Trade Show Wrap up - Part II
Industry Optimism Drives New Sales in all Sectors of the Amusement Industry - 2022 Gibtown Trade Show Wrap up - Part I
Lifetime Products Celebrates 50 Years in Gibtown | Technical Park Sells Street Fighter Revolution | Schantz Sells 6 Trailers - Attendees Gather to Shop & Socialize on Day 3 of the IISA Trade Show
- Positive Vibes Lead to Strong Sales at Gibtown Trade Show Despite Supply Chain Woes
- Wisdom Announces New 1-Trailer Giant Wheel at 2022 Gibtown Show
- Carnival Warehouse Announces New Print Magazine
- We Can Work it Out: Florida Week Focuses On Labor & Other 2022 Challenges
- Gibtown Trade Show: Ready for the Post-Covid Season
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