CHICAGO (January 2020) – Chicagoland’s ultimate outdoor expo, the 2020 Progressive Insurance Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo, will make a splashy return to the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 North Thoreau Drive, Thursday, January 23 – Sunday, January 26, 2020, introducing new features and events. A one-stop shop for fishing fanatics, families, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for the latest products and best deals on fishing gear, boats, kayaks and dozens of travel destinations, the “Sportfishing Spectacular” will introduce a “Women in Fishing” panel and meet and greet this year, featuring some of the top women in the industry.
New to the expo this year, guests will have the chance to meet with female fishing guides, anglers, and owners of women-owned fishing businesses, in addition to participating in a Women in Fishing ‘Meet & Greet’ at 9 a.m. and panel at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 26. Heather Hodson, Geri Meyer, Jen Ripple, Cheryl Smith, and Linda Leary are successful business owners, guides, and writers excited to share details on enjoying the great American past-time of fishing and how to make it a career. Both events are included with the purchase of a ticket.
Manufacturers will be on-site to answer questions and educate attendees on the best products for their fishing goals. Guests may then make purchases based on that information from one of the local retailers exhibiting in the show. In addition to gearing up for the next adventure, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with travel planners from more than 75 lodges, resorts, charters and guides from North America and beyond at the Travel Pavilion to book their next outdoor getaway directly at the expo.
Offering several family friendly features and educational opportunities, guests are invited to try their hand at the expo’s indoor fly-fishing pond, interactive fishing simulator, and a 5,000-gallon Hawg Trough s tocked with bass and pan fish. Friday through Sunday, kids may learn about fly tying and entomology, the study of insects. The expo continues to give attendees a taste of the wilderness with the Wings and Talons booth, which will be filled with live raptors and trained Raptor Handlers from Raptor Education, Stewardship and Conservation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Plus, aspiring anglers are invited to attend Fishing 101 at the popular Chauncey’s Great Outdoors, offering beginners tips on how to get started in fishing.
More than 50 Fishing Seminars are available for anglers of all skill level, featuring notable names in fishing, from Jordan Lee, the 2017 and 2018 Bassmaster Classic Winner; Oliver Ngy; and Brandon Palaniuk, 2018 Angler of the Year and pro BASS Elite angler; to Jim Saric, and James Watson, MFL Bass Fishing Pro. All seminars and demonstrations are complimentary with expo admission, and the full schedule can be found here.
One night only, the expo is offering $5 after 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 23rd.New this year,tickets can be purchased for $5 after 5 p.m. (online only). Additional deals include $5 fish sandwiches or hotdogs and $5 beer, wine & seltzer beverages. Explore the show the evening of opening day for the best deals of the weekend.
The Progressive® Insurance Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo will be open Thursday – Sunday, January 23-26, 2020. Show hours are as follows: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday, January 23 and Friday, January 24, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, January 25, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, January 26. Tickets can be purchased in advance online for $13 and $3 for children ages 6-11; children 5 years old and younger are free. Children 11 and under get in free on Family Day (Sunday, January 26) and can participate in a scavenger hunt to explore the show floor. The first 100 children 11 and younger to enter the expo on Family Day will also receive a Daiwa fishing rod/reel combo. Discounted weekday tickets can be purchased for $10 online in advance. Tickets are $5 after 5 p.m. on Thursday (online only).
For more information, please visit https://chicagoland.sportshows.com/ or connect on Facebook, or Twitter.
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About Progressive® Insurance Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo
The Progressive Insurance Progressive® Insurance Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat and sportshows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org. To learn more about Progressive Boat Insurance, which insures more than one million watercraft, please visit www.progressive.com/boat or contact Julie Kolencik at Julie_Kolencik@Progressive.com, (440) 395-2019.
Need to clarify – attendees are not able to “try their hand” at the 5000 gallon Hawg Trough. They are able to see how fish react to different presentations of lures and learn from expert speakers.