Iowa Deer Classic 2010 Recap!

CollegiateCamo just returned from a fantastic weekend in Des Moines, Iowa where we attended the Iowa Deer Classic show. Our booth was well-attended by all collegiate outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen, and it was a real pleasure to meet all of you!

It was a struggle but we managed to calm the rivalry at our booth between the Iowa Hawkeyes fans and Iowa State Cyclones fans. We were very careful not to let any of the merchandise intermingle. Who knows – it could have started a fire, or something worse!

And-we quickly learned not to assume what loyalty our customers have – the scowls and verbal beating that we took if we assumed wrong was stifling! So we learned to ask the question “What is your favorite school?” on a regular basis, haha!

We heard comments like, “You can’t tell me there’s any other school in Iowa other than the Iowa,” or perhaps, “We don’t recognize that school over there with the big yellow bird!”

It was especially fun to see how fired up Iowa State University (IA State) fans were about their big win Saturday night over #5-ranked Kansas State Wildcats.

So who won out in the ultimate battle to show their team pride along with a healthy dose of camouflage? It was a tie! The sales were about even for both schools.

The Northern IA fans were thrilled to see that we had their merchandise.  They say it has been extremely hard to find Northern Iowa Panthers stuff! (Not anymore thanks to CollegiateCamo.) And their panther looks so good on our caps and decals. Congrats to NIA for clinching their title game – Missouri Valley Tournament Championship over Wichita State!

Then of course we had the fan of the Bradley University Braves that scoffed at the public institutions, but was both shocked and excited to visit our website to find buy the Bradley University camo decals and apparel.Surprisingly, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers came in as the 4th biggest seller at the Iowa Deer Classic! Those guys really love their “Big Red.” Camo combined with the big “N” – just gotta have it!

People really came out of the woodworks for the Iowa Deer Classic show. We sold Mizzou Tigers stuff, Pittsburg State Gorilla stuff, Arkansas Razorbacks, Kansas State Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks stuff too. One of our customers, the parents of a who son plays on the Minnesota Mankato baseball team, was excited to send some of our cool Mankato stuff his way! Hope he loves it – send him our well wishes for this baseball season! (Browse CollegiateCamo Schools to find your favorite college sports team in camo.)

One of the best kept secrets about the Iowa Deer Classic shows is one of the most amazing drives just south out of Des Moines headed toward Kansas City (witnessed it many times).  The herds of deer (yes, herds) on both sides of I-35 are unbelievable!  It’s truly like driving in a national park. And the beauty goes on for miles. We highly recommend it.

Thanks again, Iowans, for giving us such a great experience from the Iowa Deer Classic show to the local restaurants, the local people and the beautiful drive home with a glimpse of the wilderness that keeps us in business. It was a great experience.