Paintball Magazine Paintball Extravaganza Special Edition | Page 5

A Message
From Rick Chard

Paintball Extravaganza’s Host

Every year of planning Paintball Extravaganza has seen a
challenge of some sort and of varying degrees and impact on
the overall event. The event has seen many tournament series,
associations, manufacturers, stores and fields come and go. Of
the original 18 exhibitors at the first Paintball Extravaganza held
in 2005, there are only 2 remain in same name and ownership.
Most exhibitors, store and field owners know the challenge that
was faced for the 2016 event and with varied opinions into the
actual impact on the event. Paintball Extravaganza persevered
and while the actual exhibit space occupied was reduced, the
number of exhibitors remained the same as in 2015.
While paintball was the obvious main thrust of show exhibits
outside services were introduced to the show in 2016. Outlaw
Haunt Productions displayed many costumes, masks and
props including a custom trailer. Pekin Paintball and Firstcall
Paintball was on board sharing their experiences with running
haunt events at paintball fields. Quik N Crispy returned with a
greaseless fryer to allow an economical method of providing
good, profitable concessions at a paintball field. Conversion
Pipeline, Lily Pad POS and Paintball Loyalty all provided
information and services covering mass media promotional
methods. Paintball Promos, Paintball Tickets and Paintball
USA presented ticketing services and products for fields.
PaintballWaivers.com, Party Center and Vantora Reservations
& Waivers shared their expertise and services to field owners.
Attendees of Paintball Extravaganza consistently list reasons
of attending the event as:
FIRST – TRAINING • SECOND – NETWORKING • THIRD – EXHIBITS

Over 75 hours of technical and 25 hours of business classes
and seminars were presented in 2016. Over 40 people stayed
on an extra day for additional training and field tour at Pev’s
Paintball. The Hyatt Lobby Lounge was filled each evening
with manufacturer representatives and store and field owners
sharing information and war stories. Many of the long time
paintball business owners list the evening networking as their
number one reason for their continued attendance. Behind
The Bunker provided their onsite evening broadcast covering
the event including many new
product reviews. PbNation,
Paintball.Media and Social
Paintball along with many
others provided excellent
review and coverage of the
event so those who choose
not to attend the industry’s
“Can’t Miss Event” of the year
a chance to see what they
missed!
Thanks for reading,
RICK