If you were to ask five of the more than 100,000 fans who annually attend the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors what they love most about the event, you are likely to get five different answers. However, it is common knowledge that the crown jewel of the world championship, to be held this year in Tulsa, Okla., March 22-24, is no doubt the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by GSM Outdoors. B.A.S.S. announced today that this massive show will become even bigger with MTN DEW signing on to sponsor the Go Outside experience.
The Outdoors Expo draws more than 200 exhibitors from around the world and is in no small part responsible for last year’s Classic breaking the all-time attendance record, with 163,914 fans flocking to Knoxville to attend the event. The 2023 Bassmaster Classic also won the 2023 SportsTravel Award for Best Professional Event, and the Outdoors Expo was in large part responsible for the $35.5 million economic impact from the event, which produced more than $2.85 million in state and local taxes.
“One of the most fulfilling aspects of the Classic Outdoors Expo is the opportunity to give families a platform to spend time together and get closer to outdoor pursuits,” said Chase Anderson, CEO of B.A.S.S. “With the support of MTN DEW, the Go Outside experience portion of the Classic Outdoors Expo will be a festival of activities that anglers of all ages will enjoy.”
The Go Outside experience will feature the popular Super Retriever Series dog jumping competition, where competing canines launch themselves through the air to land in a pool of water and are judged on the distance traveled. Fish and wildlife presentations will abound, as well as many activities for kids. To add even more flare to the Go Outside experience, MTN DEW will host popular bass fishing influencers to meet and greet the fans in attendance.
“MTN DEW has been a trusted sidekick for outdoors enthusiasts, so naturally we felt it was a perfect fit to sponsor the Go Outside experience at this year’s Bassmaster Classic,” said JP Bittencourt, Vice President of Marketing at MTN DEW. “MTN DEW will be on-site with our Googan Squad partners and pro-angler Macy Watkins to mingle with the passionate fishing community and showcase our upcoming MTN DEW Outdoor Gear program, providing our fans the opportunity to get epic Dew Gear with specially marked packages of MTN DEW.”
The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by GSM Outdoors will be held in the Cox Business Convention Center. Doors will open to the general public at noon on Friday, March 22, and then again at 10 a.m. the following two days. The MTN DEW Go Outside experience will be held on W. 3rd St., just south of the BOK Center where the Classic weigh-ins will be held daily.