Little has changed, but here is the latest for those who may not have seen it. I won't relist it here until next Monday.
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The National Rod Builders Show
February 26 & 27, 2005
Charlotte Convention Center
Charlotte, NC
"The World's Largest Rod Building Event"
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Admission fee is just $12 for one day, or $20 for both days. There is no charge for the Saturday evening social gathering if you have a show admission ticket. Door prizes will be awarded, but there is nothing to buy nor any fee required to enter.
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VENDORS:
All Star Composites
American Tackle
Batson Enterprises
Bingham Enterprises
Classic Custom Wood
Decal Connection
Donart
Dr. William Hanneman
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
St. Croix
Shakespeare
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
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 DEMOS
(On Show Floor)
**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:
Saturday
10AM • Bill Stevens - Unique Tools for Making Narrow Trim Bands
11AM • Mark Crouse - Thread Art and Decorative Wrapping
1PM • Ken Preseton - Color Changing Rod Finish
2PM • Mike Barley & Randy Parpart - Marbled Epoxy Finishing
3PM • Ralph O'Quinn - Tricks with Rod Bond
Sunday
10AM • Bill Stevens - Unique Tools for Making Narrow Trim Bands
1PM • Tom Kirkman - New Concept Guide Set-Up
2PM • Mark Crouse - Thread Art and Decorative Wrapping
3PM • Andy Dear - Understanding the Lathe and Associated Tools
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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.
Refreshments provided at no charge and there will be a cash bar for those who desire beer or wine.
Door prizes will include an American Tackle Power Wrapper and two Batson Enterprises rod building kits. More to be announced soon.
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HOTELS
The Westin (Host hotel, across street from Convention Center)
866-837-4148
Holiday Inn Downtown (About 5 blocks north of Convention Center)
704-335-5400
Days Inn (About 15 blocks north of Convention Center)
800-695-8284
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WEBSITE FOR LOCATING CAR RENTALS, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, ETC.,
[
charlotte.conventioncenterhotelsguide.com]
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LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
(Verbatim from the Convention Center Guide)
Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary
248 Ridgewood Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28209
Once a private residence, Wing Haven features four acres filled with woods, formal gardens and walks. The gardens, designed as a bird sanctuary, provide plenty of food and shelter for numerous species of birds. Visitors can also tour the home and visit the garden shop.
UNC-Charlotte Botanical Gardens
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223
704-547-2555
These gardens feature hundreds of varieties of flowers, from roses to rhododendron to crepe myrtles to cymbidium orchids. The Van Landingham Glen, one of the leading rhododendron gardens in the Southeast, and the Susie Harwood Garden with its Oriental gazebo, winter garden, and plants from around the world, are both open to the public daily during daylight hours. A special highlight of the Greenhouse is a two-story simulated rain forest. The Greenhouse also offers a number of other climate areas which house desert plants, winter-flowering orchids, carnivorous pitcher plants and many others.
The Energy Explorium at Lake Norman
13339 Hagers Ferry Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-5600
Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, the Explorium features a a number of hands-on exhibits and interactive games designed to introduce and educate kids about the wonders of atomic power generation. The Explorium also offers a mile-long nature trail, wildflower garden, and picnic area.
Paramount's Carowinds Water and Theme Park
14523 Carowinds Blvd
Charlotte, NC
704-588-2600
Paramount's Carowinds Water and Theme Park commands over 100 acres and includes more than 50 roller coasters and thrill rides. The WaterWorks boasts water slides, a river ride, and a wave pool. The Drop Zone hoists you and your loved ones up100 feet and gives you a serious scare as it (safely) drops you. The Carolina Cyclone coaster includes four consecutive 360-degree loops and a 450-degree uphill helix. Top Gun: The Jet Coaster is an inverted steel coaster (the only one in the Carolinas) with floorless cars suspended below the track; its six stomach-churning inversions challenge even veteran riders. For a break from the thrill seeking, visitors might want to head over to the Family Fun area that features kid-paced attractions and rides, with several life-size Hanna-Barbera and Nickelodeon cartoon characters roaming the streets.
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-6521
Visitors to the Carolina Raptor Center can watch wild birds of prey rip up their lunch and eat it on the spot. Located within the Latta Preserve complex, the Raptor Center is an outdoor recreation spot with an educational bonus. The center focuses on research and rehabilitation, helping injured birds heal and return safely back into the wild. Indoor facilities house a visitor center and exhibits, while outdoors attractions include plenty of aviaries where you can get up close to the scary birds of prey.
Charlotte Metro Zoo
4400 Cook Rd
Rockwell, NC 28138
704-279-6363
Large cats, primates, bears, and reptiles call this zoo home, and there's a large petting zoo for the kids. Bring a lunch and enjoy the picnic facilities.
Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Dr
Charlotte, NC 28215
Recently expanded to cover 36,000 square feet, the Charlotte Museum of History now emphasizes three themes: freedom, the influence of our environment, and the changing face of Charlotte. The museum is near the Hezekiah Alexander house, home to a Carolinian who signed the Declaration of Independence and co-framed the first North Carolina State Constitution and Bill of Rights. Built in 1774, it's the oldest original structure in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. On the homesite tour, guides in authentic colonial dress will show you around. After checking out the house, visitors can enjoy the museum's collection of art and objects from around the world, dating from pre-colonial times to the 20th century.
Charlotte Trolley and Museum
2104 South Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28203
704-375-0850
This museum features the last surviving trolley (since 1938) in Charlotte. The trolly ride will take you about 1/2 mile from Atherton Mill and back again. The conductors gladly point out items of interest along the way, making for a good tour of the area. The Museum contains several trolley cars in the process of being renovated; also offered are historical displays on the role of the streetcar in Charlotte's history, photos of trolleys around the world, and the trolly-themed gift shop.
Crowders Mountain State Park
25 miles west of Charlotte
701-853-5375
Crowders Mountain State Park will challenge the experienced as well as the novice climber, and is perfect for both lead and top-rope climbing. For the hiker, Crowders offers 12 miles of scenic, and somewhat strenuous, hiking trails. Spacious picnic areas and a nine-acre lake with canoe rentals are also available within the park.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
6500 S. New Hope Rd
Belmont, NC 28012
704-825-9286
Charlotte's newest attraction is located on the banks of Lake Wylie and has recently expanded to 110 new acres comprising four major gardens: the Perennial garden, the Cottage garden, the Four Seasons garden and the Canal garden. The gardens' managers have designed a Southern-style visitors center framed by enormous white columns and topped with an authentic stained glass roof. With many species ranging from crepe myrtle and gromfina to roses and sweet potato plants, the Botanical Garden offers plenty to see.
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-372-6261
This museum features some of the coolest science exhibits around, including the "Sparks, Anyone?" electricity demonstration of an enormous Van der Graaf generator crackling with menacing-appearing blue lightning bolts. There's also a giant walk-through replica of a human eyeball and an assortment of animatronic dinosaurs, complete with sound effects. A three-story rainforest, aquarium, NASA control-room simulation, and other hands-on areas offer plenty to keep kids and adults busy.
Historic Latta Plantation
5225 Sample Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-2312
The house, built in the early 1800s by prosperous traveling merchant James Latta, has been carefully restored and refurbished with antiques approximating, as closely as possible, the Lattas' original furnishings. Several personable and knowledgeable costumed guides lead tours throughout the two-story, Federal-style home. Visitors should be prepared to make a day of it -- Latta Place is just one of Latta Plantation Park's many offerings. The Carolina Raptor Center, an Equestrian Center, canoe rentals, and picnic areas also await guests.
Independence Park
Charlotte, NC 28204
704-336-3854
Newly remodeled Independence Park is located in the popular Elizabeth and Chantilly neighborhoods near the hospitals and downtown Charlotte. The park has big playgrounds with new, lead-free equipment for the kids including a special toddler area, as well as soccer fields, basketball courts and nearby tennis courts.
NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway
Concord Mills Shopping Mall
704-979-3000
Anyone who's ever thought about driving a real Winston Cup racing car should jump at the chance to visit this part of the Concord Mills Shopping Mall. Visitors strap themselves in to one of 12 fully-equipped, 750-horsepower interactive stock cars and take it for a virtual spin. All the motions, sights and sounds of the races are there.
The Bass Pro Shop is located at the Concord Mills Outlet Mall (The world's largest outlet mall - it's huge, you won't see it all in one day). This is located in Concord, about 20 to 25 minutes from the Convention Center.
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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!"
