WisBusiness: Canoe extravaganza brings thousands to town

By Brian E. Clark
WisBusiness.com

MADISON – Dave Johnson wouldn’t miss Canoecopia for the world.

“I plan my spring around it,” said Johnson, a retired Dane County businessman and outdoor enthusiast. “I’ve even invited friends from out of state to come to the show because it’s such a great thing.”

Johnson is just one of an estimated 20,000 people who will traipse through the Alliant Energy Center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for what is billed as the largest canoe and kayak extravaganza in the world. The show is produced by Rutabaga, a paddle sports shop on Madison’s east side.

Johnson isn’t sure how much money he will spend at this year’s show, although he bought a new canoe for $1,000 a few years back. He said he always buys something, whether he needs it or not.

According to officials from Rutabaga and the Alliant Energy Center, visitors to the gathering will pump at least $3 million into the Madison-area economy.

Darren Bush, a co-owner of Rutabaga, said his store will sell $1 million worth of canoes, kayaks and gear during the show’s three-day run. And Ted Ballweg of the Alliant Center said visitors to the show – a third of whom come from outside the area – will spend another $2 million on hotel rooms, meals and additional shopping.

Ballweg called Canoecopia “unique.”

“There isn’t anything else like it,” he said. “Not in Milwaukee or Minneapolis or anywhere else I know of.

“It draws people who are really passionate about this activity,” he said. “It’s amazing how many canoes or kayaks they might have hanging up in their garages.”

Of the 530 shows the Alliant Energy Center puts on a year, Ballweg said Canoecopia is most like the Midwest Horse Fair, which draws 50,000 people over three days; and the Deer and Turkey Expo, which brings in 35,000 during a three-day weekend.

“The hardcore will stay for all three days and see and experience as much as they can,” he said.

Rutabaga’s Bush said Canoecopia produces “a significant part” of his shop’s annual business.

“It’s a big chunk,” he added, declining to be more specific. The shop is closed from March 9-16, so employees can dedicate their efforts to the show.

“A lot of money comes in from other states and doesn’t go away,” he said. “We draw people from all over the Midwest and even some from the West Coast.

“I know one guy and his father – who used to live in Madison – who fly out from San Francisco just to attend the slide shows and presentations.

“The dad is in his 80s and doesn’t paddle anymore, but he still enjoys listening to the tales of people who do,” Bush said.

Bush said it can be difficult to find a hotel room during the Canoecopia weekend.

“If you wait until the last minute, you’ll end up staying out in Cottage Grove,” he quipped. “Some people will book their rooms for the next year when they are here.”

Bush said he knows of a paddling club from the Ozarks who will rent a 15-passenger van and come north for the show. In addition, canoe and kayak trade organizations hold their annual meetings during the event because so many officials are in town.

“I know a guy from Scotland who is coming, too,” he said.

Ken Barmore, a Rutabaga employee and the Canoecopia coordinator, said many paddlers in the region are chomping at the bit for spring to arrive.

“They’ve got cabin fever,” he said. “The sap is starting to flow in their bodies and they want to get out on the water.

“And in some ways, this is sort of like a family reunion for vendors ad exhibitors,” Barmore said. “Many of them have been coming for 20 years.”

In addition to shopping, Barmore said show visitors can learn about trips outfitters offer to the Boundary Waters, Costa Rica, Scandinavia, Alaska and beyond. Environmental groups will also have displays.

The show will also feature 108 presentations during the weekend, including slide shows and talks ranging from how to properly use a global positioning system unit, manage medical crisis on a wildnerness trip and cooking for paddlers.

“A lot of the show is about education,” he said. “Paddlers can meet and talk with people who design their boats.”

For more information on Canoecopia, see www.canoecopia.com. The show will be held in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center. Hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $10 per day or $15 for all three days. The event is free for youths 17 and under.