Each year at the RodMaker Reception during the Expo, we give away roughly 75 to 100 door prizes. For 2011, thanks to the generosity of one of the magazine's advertisers., we’ll be expanding that number to roughly 200 door prizes. No kidding - a very large package arrived this morning and it's chock full of reel seats, guide sets, grips, etc., etc. Between now and then I’ll sort it all out and prepare the items for the free Reception drawings. The company making the donation will be credited, of course, at the Reception.

We usually have between 350 and 400 rod builders attend the Reception and it’s always been a goal of mine that everybody there get something. This donation puts us another step closer to that goal.

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I attended my first Expo & RodMaker Reception last Feb. and although I didn't get drawn for any of the "goodies" I did get something. Anyone who has ever attended the RM Reception knows what I'm talking about, and I know Tom you wish everyone could get some "goodies". However, the Recpetion is much more than that in my opinion.

Thanks!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

EVERYBODY there already gets something for free......free food and drink and admission to an event where they may win a free door prize from a Renzetti lathe to any number of rod blanks and components. Already a pretty great deal if you ask me.

Tom,, I have to congraulate you,, you take care of your posters and anyone thats just starting out as rod building, whether its as a hobby or as a new business you are the man

I attended in 2009 and I won a prize! It was great!!! I won a hat with the rod builders symbol on it.

The sad part is it was to cover up my bald head. he he heee!

Actually, along with the prizes, food and drink, the best prize was to be around some of the great rod builders I met. How nice it is to put faces on some of these names I see everyday.

I thought there was going to be top notch entertainment too. It turned out to be Billy in his wizard costume. That was entertaining enough!!! LOL

I really hope I can make it this year It is worth the trip.

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

It's fascinating to me that although women are outnumbered at the reception probably 4 to 1, they seem to win a heck of a lot of these door prizes. I'm not complaining-actually it's neat that they do, I just find it puzzling. At the last Expo in Charlotte, I brought a friend who does not build rods, and he won a Visualwrap program. He had no idea what it was. I, of course, convinced him to give it up. He did, although with reluctance. I love the door prizes and the whole reception. For one evening, all of the subscribers and vendors can talk without being rushed by the need for the vendors to conduct business.

I was another one at his first reception, not my first expo, and I didn't win anything. I had a great time too. Talked to a bunch of really nice people and have no idea who most of them were. I wish everybody had been wearing a name tag because it would help. I'll be back in February maybe I can win a reel seat!

I also noticed the high percentage of women prize winners along with the multiple prize winners.

You guys are just so lucky, we have nothing like this in the UK, just a few country shows where the manufacturers are trying to sell you stuff you probably dont really need.
Cheers,
Phil.

Les,

It may seem like it, but there are no multiple prize winners at the Reception. To spread the winnings out I remove the ticket of each winner from the "hat" once pulled. So you can't win twice.

Then, just before the grand prizes (Renzetti Lathe, Batson Power Wrapper and Rod Shop Eco Wrapper) are drawn for, I put all the names back in so that everyone has a chance at the grand prizes. Otherwise, each ticket is good for only one win. This ensures that the greatest number of people possible will all leave with some sort of door prize.

There are some additional door prizes given away at the Expo itself (Heritage Fishing Kayak for one) but that's a different event.

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Okay, it is never too early to plan. Can anyone give me a ball park idea to pack/ship a 7' to 8' salt water blank to miami (using the provided services)?

I'm trying to ascertain if I should rent a van on jump on amtrak and pay shipping.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Russell -

The expense is SURELY not something that would make one bit of difference in my chosen mode of transportation. There has been a shipping company at the last couple of shows. Even if they charged twice what FedEx or UPS would charge directly ... you are most likely only talking about $25-30 for a single tube full of blanks. My last shipment of a finished rod to California from Tampa was only $16.00 ... insured.

Jim -

You could likely carry something like that back on Amtrak.

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