Although we’re still a long 9 months out, time goes by fast and we’ll be in full swing on the 2008 International Rod Building Exposition in just a few weeks. Following are the companies that we expect to have on hand. All but 4 or 5 have recently given me verbal commitments to attend and display at the 2008 event. Contracts will go out next month and by mid summer I’ll be able to lock in exactly who will be there, but as I said, with just 4 or 5 exceptions, all the following companies have expressed a desire to exhibit at the 2008 event. New additions are listed at the bottom of the list.


Batson Enterprises (Rainshadow/Forecast)

Renzetti, Inc.

Scott's Custom Rods

Fish Sticks 4U

RodMaker Magazine

Pacific Bay International

Sticks & Bones

MIckel's Custom Rods

Donart

Lamar Fishing

Angler's Resources (Fuji)

St. Croix Rods

Composite Tube Systems

Lamiglas

Decal Connection

Swifty/Diamondite

Mud Hole Custom Tackle

WoodCraft

Swampland Rods

The Rod Shop

Trondak U-40

Ken's Custom Rods

Black Dog Tackle

Sevier Manufacturing

G. Loomis, Inc.

Custom Tackle Supply

RBI (Rod Builders International)

NERBS (Northeast Rod Builders)

Matagi Components

REC Components

American Tackle

Calico Creek Rods

TightLine Rods

Legacy Paddlesports/Get Outdoors

Cork Specialties Company

Dave Male Bamboo Rods


New Additions for 2008

Seeker Rod Company

Hook and Hackle

Wheel’s Reels

Flex Coat Company

Acid Rod

Visual Wrap

By mid June I'll have the website updated with firm commitments but I do not expect this list to change very much. A few may be replaced and a few more added, but overall we're looking at an increase in vendors again in 2008.


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Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2007 02:36PM by Tom Kirkman.

Tom, Instead of Steve's Custom Rods don't you mean Scott's

Yes, sorry. I'll fix it now.

I left a few others and I'll put them in now as well.

It's looking like another full house. We might even need that additional 40,000 square feet across the hall for more rod building stuff if things keep going like this.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2007 02:27PM by Tom Kirkman.

Impressive list. Good to see you getting an early start. Time flies as we grow older.

Believe it or not, another group hosting a supposed rod building event this summer is keeping their vendor list a secret. I didn't understand the reasoning behind that and when I asked if they could let us know who their vendors were they removed the question and banned me from accessing their site ever again. Why would any show promoter get mad at you just for asking who their vendors are going to be?? Unless they don't have any vendors, maybe??

Ken,

I was also permanently banned from their site for posting a response to your question. I guess it's supposed to be a surprise!! The only way to find out is to pay

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Guys,

The topic here is regarding the 2008 International Custom Rod Building Exposition. Not any other event.



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Has there been any decision made about adding a tag along general fishing or fly show with the rod builders show next year? Not really a big deal to me as there are plenty of fishing shows around, just wondering in advance. I'll return either way.

I've had inquiries from several general and fly fishing show promoters about joining us in 2008. However, I am less and less inclined to add another show to what we’re currently doing. I’ll explain.

For the first three years, we held our show in conjuntion with the Fly Fishing Show in Charlotte, NC. On some counts this surely helped us. At least that’s what I’ve thought all along. Now, I’m not so sure. In 2007, on our own, we drew a larger crowd, had a better show and all the vendors reported the best sales figures they’ve ever had. In short, when done as a stand-alone event, we had a better event than when done in conjunction with another event, on all accounts.

Adding more general interest fishermen to our event does not necessarily improve anything in terms of the actual rod building emphasis. Sure, I want to see more fishermen there to buy custom rods from the rod builders who display there. However, the number of fishermen who buy custom rods is a very tiny percentage of the overall fishing market. Putting a thousand or more additional general interest fishermen into the hall might not generate more than one or two custom rod sales. And... it would mean longer lines at the concession area, more traffic in the hall, greater drain on our resources, possible parking problems, etc.

Sure, adding another show would put more money into my pocket - I charge $8 a head so more people through the door is good for me. But it may not necessarily be good for the Rod Expo, the rod building attendees or the rod supply vendors. My goal in doing all this is to provide something special for custom rod building. I have no interest in hosting general interest fishing shows. There are things to be done insofar as getting more customers for the rod builders into the hall and we have some things underway at this time that I think will be very productive. But if we’re going to have general interest fishermen there, I want them to be potential rod builders or potential customers for custom rods. Not tire kickers just filling the rod building hall. (No offense to general interest fishermen - I am one.)

I know everyone has an opinion on how best to handle things but I’ve done this for 4 years now and each event has been very successful and each one better than the one before. I know what I’m doing and have decided to keep the emphasis on custom rod building. I’ll add or remove whatever is necessary to make the rod building event better. After all, custom rod building is what it’s all about.

What I’d like to do, is use that additional 40,000 square feet for more rod building “stuff.” I have the entire building leased and opening up that additional hall only costs me what it costs the Showplace to light and heat it, and put up the booth walls and provide the extra security (about $5,000 additional above what I’m already paying). If I could justify it, I’d certainly do it. It’s early yet and nothing has been ruled out. Maybe RBI will want to host their yearly meet here. Maybe I’ll have enough additional exhibitors that we’d need it for that. We’ll see what happens as we move on through the summer.


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Sorry, Tom!! I know better!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

That "other" group says their show is going to be the "largest gathering of dedicated custom rod builders ever assembled." I wonder about the truth of that!

It's not true in any way. It's a deception; a prevarication; a play on words - "dedicated."

The last ICRBE event had over 1500 verified custom rod builders attending. No one who was actually there will dispute that number - we have the figures to back it up. The last national event held by the group you mention drew less than 60 rod builders according to at least two of the vendors that were on hand there. Compare for yourself, 1500 against 60. Which would you say is the larger gathering? As far as which group was more "dedicated," you'll have to judge that for yourself.

Either way, it doesn't change the facts - the International Custom Rod Building Exposition is the world's best attended event for custom rod builders, and by a wide, wide margin. It's also the very largest, with 40 vendors on hand last year and nearly 50 already commited to attend in 2008.

I don't have to use word play nor any sort of deception in promoting the ICRBE. The world's rod builders know it for what it is and they attend in droves.


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Interesting! I asked about the vendor list of this conclave thing and was almost immediately banned from the site. What gives? Something is not on the up and up I'd say.

That's not my event. Mine is the International Custom Rod Building Expostion. Ask anything about it you wish and I'll be happy to provide an answer. You can visit the website for more information, although it will be mid-May before I get everything ready for the 2008 event. www.rodexpo.com


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