Preliminary numbers show increase in sales, crowds at 2018 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
February 19, 2018
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) celebrated 36 years of excellence in wildlife art and the sporting life February 16-18 with very positive preliminary numbers. Along with an increase in advance ticket sales and sold out VIP packages, overall SEWE weekend sales were up a significant amount from the 2017 event.
SEWE’s mission is to positively impact the local and statewide economies through increased tourism; to showcase the finest wildlife and sporting art available in the world; to invest in and positively influence wildlife and nature education through specialized programming; and to assist in the conservation of wildlife and the environment by creating awareness and supporting designated programs. The annual event is now considered the premier wildlife art event in the Southeast.
With an estimated 45,000 and counting attendees at the 2018 event, SEWE experienced a 15% increase in advanced online ticket sales, a 10% increase in attendance and a 40% increase in weekend art sales. In addition, the SEWE VIP program sold out in mid-December, a record for the event.
“We don’t have all the numbers in, but I think we broke several records,” said SEWE Executive Director John Powell. “While every year is a little different, there’s a spirit among SEWE attendees, artists, exhibitors and corporate partners that’s impossible to try to create – it has just evolved over the past 36 years. And it makes a special thing called SEWE a part of Charleston that is unique to any other place in the world. Partners and the people we work with believe in the event and know it’s a part of the fabric of this community. We are very fortunate to have such good friends and supporters.”
As an annual, not-for-profit organization, SEWE has less than a week to drive in most of its revenue for the year. Unseasonably warm weather for all three days of the event attributed to the crowds and overall increase in attendance at SEWE’s five venues throughout downtown Charleston. “Incredible crowds, incredible sales, and we couldn’t be happier for our event and the city of Charleston. I hope this is an indicator of what is to come for the 2018 tourism season,” added SEWE President and CEO Jimmy Huggins.
Planning for the 2019 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is underway with continued enhancements in artist recruitment and programming. The 37th annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition will be held February 15-17, 2019. For more information on participating as an artist, exhibitor, VIP member or corporate partner, visit sewe.com.
