The 2005 National Rod Builders Show is now half over yet and it's already met the expectations of most, if not downright exceeded them. Even though we more than doubled the number of retail vendors this year, those who are there for the second year have told me that their sales totals today alone, have eclipsed those of both days total last year.

Within minutes of the doors opening, the ailse of the Rod Building Show was jammed. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of rod builders. The seminars, even though they're taking place three abreast, are packing in anywhere from 40 to 100 builders each (and the exhibit hall show floor of the Rod Builders Show remained jammed). Only one had a somewhat so-so attendance. The rest have been very well received and very well attended. The estimate for number of rod builders has been 1,000+, although my personal feeling is that it's just a little shy of that. But, we'll likely hit that figure easily with more builders attending tomorrow.

The RodMaker Reception was a very low key but fun affair. The list of door prizes doubled during the day today, with more and more companies throwing their hat into the ring. I think we ended up giving away about 75 or 80 prizes. No speeches or structured event, just some food, drinks and free rod building stuff.

You'll be hearing more abou the show in the coming days. All I can say thus far, is that it isn't perfect (what is) but it has easily met everyone's expectations and then some and we're only halfway through. Tomorrow is just gravy. It's just been in incredible event.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2005 11:21PM by Tom Kirkman.

I'm very envious of everyone who was able to attend. I'm glad it went so well! I think the more interest that is shown to the companies, the more interest the companies have in us. The more that is learned at the show will lead to better product by us, leading to more interest from fishermen.

Nothing but good can come from this show! Many thanks to you Tom, as well as to all of the sponsors who helped make this happen!

just curious... any local media in charlotte covering the event? i should have thought of this before... but a simple press release sent out to local media could have churned up some local coverage for the sat evening news, pumping up attendence even more so for sunday. it's never too late to place a call to a couple of news desks at local tv stations.. people working sundays at my newspaper are sometimes bored, it's slow and something unique might be worth checking out.

eric
fresno, ca.

I saw a few TV cameras set up, but you really had to have your head up once in a while to notice them. And it was hard to see the big picture with all to see!! They weren't there long and I ran the other direction when the lens turned! This is a wonderful event; wish more of you could have found a way to be here!

Putter

"wish more of you could have found a way to be here!"

me too :-(

eric
fresno, ca.

We were on top of that. The local FOX news affiliate did 6 live broadcasts and the outdoor writer for the Charlotte Observer was given the red carpet treatment. He plans to write an article on the rod building show to run in a near future issue of his paper's outdoor section.

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Congrats to all!

Regards......Doug@
TCRds

Wish I could have went too.... work @#$%& sometimes.

REgarding the TV Crew - I was scribbling my E-mail address in Andy Dear's booth, when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I got stage fright, spelled my e-mail address wrong, and goofingly asked the cameraman - "Hey, How are you doing". THen, I turned to teh microphone guy, asking him how he was doing. I hope that didnt or doesn't make the cuts, lol.

What a SUPER time I had, I cannot begin to explain it.

I'm right with you, Billy-this is hard to explain. It's Monday evening here in Virginia and I still can't completely digest everything that has transpired. What a wonderful time; a tremendous group of people that we just met and made friends with! Where do we begin trying to explain all that was done and learned in those two days?

Putter