Just found out that the National Rod Show is actually not the largest rod building event, at least not in terms of having the largest number of "dedicated" rod builders attending! Seems another event has already "shaped up" as having the greatest numbers of "dedicated" rod builders on hand. LOL!

Gosh, I don't think that's possible. Between the people IN the booths and the people attending I don't know of another show that comes close to having as many knowledgeable people in attendance.

Nonsense!

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Well that's probably just a play on words. At the National Rod Builders Show in Charlotte, we draw over 1,000 rod builders from all over the world. I would think that builders who come in from foreign nations or even have to drive or fly in from hundreds of miles away would be considered "dedicated" rod builders. Maybe not. Depends on how you define the word, I guess.

I do know is that this is the largest gathering of custom rod builders in the world. It was in 2004, it was again in 2005, it will be in 2006 and it will be again in 2007 and beyond. And I doubt that any of the vendors really care if the builders buying their wares are dedicated or non-dedicated rod builders. The end result is the same.

Aside from the National Rod Builders Show being the very largest rod building event, the numbers alone aren't really what makes it special. It's a combination of so many builders plus all the rod building supply manufacturers and dealers, plus the many excellent educational seminars and demonstrations, plus the general camraderie and sharing of information and techniques that takes place when you get such a fantastic gathering of rod builders together from all over the world.

For all I know, it may well be that none of the 1,000+ builders that attend this year are what somebody might term "dedicated" builders, All I know is that they will be in Charlotte in two weeks, buying, learning, sharing and having a great time. Besides, between Andy Dear, Sammy MIckel and a few others I know will be there, I'm postive the National Rod Builders Show is the largest gathering of "bald" rod builders in the world.

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/2006 03:58PM by Tom Kirkman.

Maybe you're thinking National Rod Building - "hot rods" as in cars? I've been to several of those too... (and I'm definitely on the 'fast track' for joining the "bald: crew LOL)

this should be renamed to the INTERNATIONAL rod builders show

I am SHOCKED, absolutely flabagasted and almost beyond words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TK does have a sense of humor

Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.

I have not been to Charlotte or any other rodbuilding shows so I'll bite -

Shawn what show do you feel is the largest?

Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.

Sammy has taken offense and informed me that he still at least a little hair left. So he's asked me to substitute his partner, Rodney Powell, as one of our bald attendees. Not sure if Joe Emig is bald or just shaves his head, but I really do believe that the Charlotte event will feature more bald/clean shaven rod builders than any other event anywhere in the world.



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Just something I read and got a chuckle out of. I'm thinking of having my own rod building event in upstate New York in 2009. It's already shaping up as the largest gathering of henpecked husband rod builders in history!

Good promotion makes good sense. Outlandish promotion doesn't make good sense. It's not hard to judge accuracy by past performances.

Having attended last year's Rod Builders Show in Charlotte, I have no trouble believing the advertising that promotes it as the world's largest rod building event. Seeing is believing. Similar claims made by others do seem a bit outlandish when past performances are considered.

Any event where you can learn something new and positive is worthwhile, IMO. For what I've learned at the Charlotte Show, and I've been to two, it's by far the very best continuing education rodbuilding event ever conceived. That is not to say that other venues don't have their positive value as well, they certainly do very good educational things - all of them, including NERBS. (had to throw that in, Billy - no offense).

But there's nothing quite like the Charlotte Show, thanks to T. K.'s ideas/initiative/planning.

Stan

All the shows are good including the many fine Rodcrafter seminars going back about 30 years now. You would be hard pressed not to benefit from any rod building seminar or show within your ability to travel.

I will say that the show in Charlotte has set a completely new standard for rod building events. The size and quality of it does make it something special. It is the one rod building event I don't mind traveling long distance to attend. Well worth the time and trouble. It's defintely a cut above and something the other show promotors can look to and learn from.

James A Sewell - You were in Charlotte last year?

We need nametags.

He said he was in an email to me...

Putter
Williston, ND

Yes I was-----------YOU SHOWED ME HOW TO GET THE STARS IN THE BLUE AREA OF A UNITED STATES FLAG WRAP!!! Aren't you the dude with the funky Fu-Manchu thing going on????

ZAPP! Alan Sewell for President!!

Add me to the Bald count!!

Bill in WV