I wanted to bring this back up top for the weekend. The show name has been changed and registered to better reflect the nature of the event and a couple more vendors have been added to the list below. I'll update again in a week or two as more confirm.

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It's still early, but I did want to get out a list of those vendors that have committed and actually bought booth space for The Rod Builders' Show in Charlotte, NC for February 26 &27.

I expect the list to grow as we move through the next few weeks, but for now here is a list of those who will have booth space at the show.


American Tackle
Batson Enterprises
Bingham Enterprises
Classic Custom Wood
Decal Connection
Fish Sticks 4U
Flex Coat Company
Kens Custom Rods
Lamar Manufacturing
Mickel's Custom Rods
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
Renzetti, Inc.
RodMaker Magazine
Schneiders Rod Shop
Shakespeare/All Star
Trondak U40
Visual Wrap

Following are vendors who have told me that they may have booth space at the show, but who have not yet made an actual committment at this time.


Custom Tackle Supply
G. Loomis, Inc
St. Croix

I will continue to update the list periodically as more vendors come on board.

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SEMINARS AND DEMONSTRATIONS (Upstairs in Seminar Rooms)

Saturday

10:00 AM • Basic Rod Building by Jim Upton - This in-depth overview of the rod building process is sure to delight and educate anyone interested in building their first custom rod. Jim will spotlight the process, highlighting each step required to take a blank and handful of components and turn them into a better performing rod that anything you can buy off the shelf. Handy hints on required materials and tools as well!


10:00 AM • Rod Repair by Ralph O'Quinn - With the proper expertise, almost any damage can be rectified and your favorite rod put back into action with no loss in performance. Master repairman Ralph O'Quinn will demonstrate the proper procedures for fixing nearly any type of rod breakage or damage. A must see.


11:00 AM • The Custom Saltwater Rod by Ken Preston - The saltwater environment and the fish that live there require rods that are built to withstand the most demanding conditions. Long time builder Ken Preston will explain the particulars along with how to build the type rods than can handle the largest fish, year after year. Expect special techniques for surf and stand-up rods.


11:00 AM • The Hanneman Common Cents System by Dr. William Hanneman - The Common Cents System is the first objective and relative system for measuring fly rod action and power. The inventor himself, Dr. Hanneman, will fully explain his system and show you how to use it to make your fly fishing and rod building experience that much better.


1:00 PM • Wood Turning for the Rod Builder by Andy Dear - Being able to turn and shape your own cork and EVA grips or wood or exotic reel seats and handles will only expand your custom rod building experience. Andy Dear will explain how to select the best lathe and tools as well as how to use them once you get them. This is one seminar you don't want to miss.


1:00 PM • Thread Weaving by Jim Upton - A complete introductory course on decorative thread weaving by the inventor of the "Wonder Weaver" himself. Learn how to create your own "left lists" and even perform "color change" weaves.


2:00 PM • Introduction to Decorative Cross Wraps by Mark Crouse - This seminar provides any anyone, novice to pro, with a sound grasp of the basics involved in making decorative thread cross wraps. Covered will be set up, open wraps, closed wraps, multiple axis wraps and taper offset spacing.


3:00 PM • Manufacturers Spotlight - A panel made up of the industry’s leading blank and component manufacturers and suppliers answers your every question concerning blank manufacturing, guide plating, ceramic polishing, warranties, etc. A question and answer session will follow.

Sunday

10:00 AM • Basic Rod Building by Jim Upton - This in-depth overview of the rod building process is sure to delight and educate anyone interested in building their first custom rod. Jim will spotlight the process, highlighting each step required to take a blank and handful of components and turn them into a better performing rod that anything you can buy off the shelf. Handy hints on required materials and tools as well!


10:00 AM • Everything You Wanted To Know About Rod Building - A panel of some of the best rod builders in the world answers your rod building questions in this open forum on the craft of custom rod building. No question is too difficult nor too simple. Ask and you shall receive.


11:00 AM • Thread Weaving by Mark Crouse - A tutorial by one of the most innovative thread artists working today. All aspects of thread weaving will be covered, including design and set up.


1:00 PM • Making Multi-Piece Rods by Ralph O’Quinn - Can’t find your favorite rod or blank in as many sections as you desire? Learn to fabricate your own ferrules and create multi-piece rods that feel and act like the one-piece counterparts.


2:00 PM • The Hanneman Common Cents System by Dr. William Hanneman - The Common Cents System is the first objective and relative system for measuring fly rod action and power. The inventor himself, Dr. Hanneman, will fully explain his system and show you how to use it to make your fly fishing and rod building experience that much better.


2:00 PM • Using Computer Software in Decorative Thread Art by David Boyle and Jim Upton - Learn the ins and outs of specialty software for the design and lay-out of cross wraps and weaving patterns.


3:00 PM • Creative Design for Custom Fishing Rods by Tom Kirkman - We’ve grown accustomed to fishing rods having to look a certain way. Step outside the box and discover how to design highly functional rods that defy age old configurations.


*Dr. William Hanneman will be available both days for rating your blanks or rods in the Common Cents System booth on the main show floor.


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Featured Rod Builder Booth

**Additional Seminars will be ongoing on the show floor in the “Featured Rod Builder Booth” during both days of the show. Here is a list of the presenters for the Featured Rod Building Booth Demostrations:

Bill Stevens - Unique Tools for Making Narrow Trim Bands
Mark Crouse - Thread Art
Ken Preseton - Color Changing Rod Finish
Mike Barley & Randy Parpart - Marbled Epoxy Finishing
Ralph O'Quinn - Tricks with Rod Bond
Tom Kirkman - New Concept Guide Set-Up
*More to be announced soon

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Rod Builders' Social Gathering

Event will be held on Saturday evening in one of the upstairs seminar rooms. Refreshments served at no charge. 6:30PM to 8:30PM. Event is open to all Rod Builder Show ticket holders.


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The National Rod Builders’ Show • Charlotte, NC February 26 & 27, 2005
Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC

The World's Largest Rod Building Event



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I am wondering if you have made arrangements for the National Guard or the Active Duty Marines to get all of rod the builders out of the social hour meeting room at 8:30. This thing is getting close enough for me to ask my shrink to up my medication.

Gon Fishn

We actually have access to the room until 11:30PM, if we want. I assume that after a couple hours most guys will make dinner plans or whatever.

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I have a conflict with the dates but might be able to attend for one day. I assume that Saturday is the better day to attend if you can only show up for one??

Yes and no. If last year is any indication, then Saturday will have a few more seminars and perhaps the better bargains on rod parts. However, it's also much more crowded. There were several people who contacted me after the show and told me that they tried to get into my booth on Saturday and even after several attempts were not able to do so. It was just too crowded all day.

If you want attend on a day that is less crowded and has nearly as many seminars, Sunday might be your better choice. Although with the seminar line-up and vendor awareness this year, I don't think either day is going to be much different this time out.

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Tom,
Just a couple quick questions on the seminars.
With the attendance possibilities your speaking of, will there be enough room available for most of those waniting to attend a given seminar to attend.

Will there be some type of advanced regestration for these, of just a long line forming prior to each seminar.

Thanks
Bob

The seminars are pretty much first come, first served. However, there is seating for approximately 200 to 250 per seminar room. I think we'll have room to accomodate all who wish to see the various seminars. Remember, there will be two seminars taking place at all times, plus you'll have a lot of guys who won't be interested in a particular seminar. In other words, not every rod builder there will be trying to attend each and ever seminar. I think you'll be able to attend about any of them with no problem.

And if we do end up with standing room only at each one, we'll plan to have larger rooms the following year.

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