I've finalized the seminar schedule for the 2006 event. Because the show hours will be a tad shorter each day this year (closes 5:30 Sat and 4:40 Sun) we're a little backed up on the available hours. I didn't want to run multiple seminars in the same time slot but I ended up having to do so with just a few in order to get everything in. Two seminars are run both Saturday and Sunday due to the many requests I've had for them from people who won't be there both days. Consult the show website (link at top left of the sponsor column for the latest update.)

Overall, I dropped the total number of seminars by just a tad. Most of the seminars last year were very well attended, but a couple only drew 20 to 30 people. The seminars with round table discussions by the manufacturers didn't go over too well. It never occured to me that since these folks were all downstairs in their own booths, builders already had access to them and could ask any questions they had right there on the show floor. Thus, those two seminars won't be run this year.

The demos done on the main show floor will take place in the rod builder tables this year. These new "booths" will feature builders doing interactive demos nearly all day, both days. Here is a chance to see builders turning grips, prepping and wrapping guides, laying out guide placement systems, finishing, etc. In short, you can watch guys building rods right there on the show floor, all day both days. This will add a lot to the show.

The RodMaker Magazine booth will be twice as large this year. I'm taking extra space to give some of the "legends" a place to hang out and talk rod building with interested parties. I'll have a list of some notable builders for you in a couple weeks once I nail everything down.


In short, anything you want to learn about rod building, you can learn at this event. From the seminars, to the demos, to straight questions and answers with builders in the booths and on the floor, if it has to do with rod building, it will be at the show.

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Because the show closes a half hour earlier this year, I'm moving up the RodMaker Reception from 6:30 to 6:00. This actually works in our favor as we can finish up a bit earlier making it easier for people to attend to their dinner plans. Figure that we'll be done around 7:30. We'll have a ton of rod building items to give away (about 100 or so) and will get right to work doing that shortly after 6 PM. Refreshments will be provided (improved a bit over last year) and we'll have a cash bar for beer or wine.

There's nothing to buy - come on in, grab a door prize ticket and some food and meet your fellow rod builders.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/08/2005 08:22PM by Tom Kirkman.

I really, really, really, really wish you would consider moving the show to the first part of February next year.

North Carolina is subject to snow and ice through the end of March. The further we push it back in February or even into March, the more we duck the odds that we'll have bad weather for the event.

No date is ever going to be perfect for everybody. Most likely the show will always fall on the 3rd to 4th weekend of February from this point forward.

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Legends? Which ones are confrimed?

I guess that depends on who you or what you consider a legend. Like it or not, Ralph O'Quinn has been stuck with the mantra after last year's encounter with a fan. Rich Forhan is pretty well known by not only rod builders, but fishermen in general. Plus there is a decent chance that a couple other very well known builders from days gone by will be on hand, but I'd rather not mention them until I'm sure they're committed to attending. I'm hoping that they will decide to attend and renew some old friendships and give autographs and that sort of thing.

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