World Finals vendors report slow sales

A record number of vendors attended this year’s International Jet Sports Boating Association World Finals at Crazy Horse Beach. However, some vendors and local business owners saw a slower trend in spending.

“We have 77 vendors this year,” said Johnny Walker of DSM Events. “We usually average about 64-65 vendors each year.”

Even with a record number of vendors in attendance at the IJSBA World Finals event, the crowd was not at their usual maximum spending capacity. Vendors seem to still appreciate the event and their company’s presence there.

“It’s been slower than last year. Saturday, so far, has been the best attendance day,” said Shari Butler, owner of The Flip Flop Shop in Lake Havsu City and IJSBA World Finals vendor. “The event has still been good and strong, but definitely not as strong as last year was.”

However, the slow spending trends did not blemish the attitudes of the vendors.

“I thought it was going to be busier, but we are having a good time. It’s so fun, all the diversity, all the people, it’s really cool,” said Judge Hammond, manager of Utility Board Shop in Lake Havasu City and IJSBA World Finals vendor. “It’s been cool and we would love to come back next year.”

“Sales are a little bit down from last year, and attendance is down, you can tell. It’s still a good event. You can tell people are watching what they spend,” said Sarah Whitehead, vice president of Jettribe, a watercraft accessories and clothing vendor from the Los Angeles area.

A wide diversity of cultures makes the vendor area an interesting place, in its own right.

Local accommodations for the IJSBA World Finals events show a trend in longer stays and a peaked interest in vacation rentals.

Jeannette Clayton of Lake Havasu Vacation Rentals said, “We had a really good turnout this year. They come from all kinds of countries, Brazil, Norway, Spain, China and the European area. The numbers are up from last year.”

Hampton Inn General Manager Jim Compton said, the hotel’s occupancy is “a little down from last year” in regard to the IJSBA World Finals event.

Island Inn Assistant General Manager Sarah Shetto said, “Occupancy is definitely up. We have guests from Argentina and Australia staying as many as 13 nights. We had to turn quite a few away. The Lake Havasu High School reunion booked the entire hotel and was in conflict with the dates to accommodate (IJSBA World Finals) guests who were interested in the longer stays.” Shetto said, during the World Finals last year, occupancy was about the same, possibly a little lower.

Crazy Horse Campground’s main office receptionist Jackie Boger said, “We are not as full as last year, we had more (guests) last year.”

Crazy Horse Campground’s gate security Eric Facciuto said, “The campground is very busy with vendors, racers, and several parking lot shuttles coming and going.” He said the Marine Corps League comes through all day long as they tend to trash detail in the (race) pits and vendor areas.

“The Marine Corps League does a very, very good job,” Facciuto said.

Local bars and restaurants have felt the impact of the IJSBA World Finals event in their sales and many report steady patronage in comparison to previous years.

“We are showing very strong sales right now. We are open for business and here to stay,” Golden Corral’s kitchen manager Ricky Pender said.

“Visitor counts seem to be down a little bit from last year, but things are going great this year,” said London Bridge Resort General Manager Cal Sheehy.

The IJBSA World Finals event mainly impacts the resort’s food and beverage sales at Kokomo’s, Martini Bay and Style Nightclub. “In comparison to last year, there is not an influx of visitors by any means, but sales have remained stable,” Sheehy said.

Mudshark Brewing Company General Manager Diane Wiland said, “Business is very, very good. It’s about the same as last year.”

You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.