Anyone heading to the Custom Rod Building Exposition next weekend (February 23rd & 24th) in High Point, NC?  Going to head out early next Saturday and check it out.

Lucky dog!   I wish I was going, but I can't.   :'(

I wish badly that I could make it.  Between the screaming deals and all the seminars and free knowledge, not to mention being able to "talk shop" with the best of the best would be incredibly educational and fun!!  I would bring some cash if you go on Sunday- there are a few dealers that will not want to ship all the blanks back and the deals are said to get silly by sunday afternoon!  

flechero,

When I saw you replied was hoping it was to say you were going to be there.  Dang!

I just saw the seminar schedule was posted recently.  Some good classes coming up.  Will definitely be sitting in on a few.  Thanks for the heads up on the deals.  This is my first trip to one of these.  Yes, think I may have to make a trip back to High Point Sunday afternoon.

This is scheduled every year only a week after my professional society convention. They have a gun to my head for "Continuing Professional Education" to keep my license. If Keith (flechero) will make plans to go next year, I will take some seminars this year and make it in 09. Sorry I can't go this year. Have fun and post up here and give us your feedback on the event.

Have fun!

Ronnie

Alpster,

Like with flechero, when I looked in the forum and saw you replied to this my - first thought was - Ronnie's going to be there?!?!  Double Dang.

Will let you all know how it goes.  Looking forward to it.  Know its a trip for you guys.  

I am lucky that I took an interest in this just several months ago and now this conference is happening in my "backyard" - couple hours away anyway.

Will definitely post how it goes.

If Keith (flechero) will make plans to go next year, I will take some seminars this year and make it in 09.

I'll make you guys a deal... I'll throw $100 in an envelope each month (starting today) and make plans to go. My only possible conflict would be my wife being 'very' pregnant at the time... but you'll have at least 6 months notice if that is a possibility. ...lol

We have continuing ed requirements for our real estate licenses... and it's "chair time" for $$$, little to do with the "ed" part!

I went the last 2 years and its one amazing event. It gets better and better every year. Its truely something that every builder or anyone thinking of building should experience.

I was planning on going, but do to some uncontrolable circumstances I will not be attending this year.

Sorry just now replying about the exposition - been one of those weeks.

Went Saturday and it was great. Got to attend a few seminars and met some great people. Met Jim Upton, the dragon master.

http://www.rodguild.com/mem_spotlight/JimUpton/index.html

Had seen his work on the net, but was really something to see how he does it. He gave a seminar on basic rod building that was really good. Had a lot of good insight and ideas. Really nice guy.

Picked up some really good information from Pac-Bay and Flex-Coat. The Flex-Coat guy, who was in the rod building video that was playing as you walked into the conference room, spent a great deal of time with me. Explaining finishes, types, differences, etc. very educational.

Was absolutely blown away by some of the craftsmanship of the cork handles and reel seats. Amazing what some people are doing with these components. Some were so pretty I would be afraid to use them.

Made a new friend from Cedartown Ga., "Fuzz" Morgan.

http://www.rodguild.com/mem_spotlight/FuzzMorgan/index.html

He's Retired from the power company in GA and been building custom rods for a long time. He makes some beautiful designs out of feathers. Absolutely amazing. I had seen feathers used as inlays and such, but, Fuzz makes pictures out of the feathers. He had one that was awesome. Was in the form of a crankbait and was the neatest thing I have seen in a while - all from feathers.  Another amazing thing - I went back and asked him a question before I left, about an hour or more after we talked, and he called me by name.

As far as damage........

I only spent $125. Picked up a Lamiglass CCB 84 MF5 blank going to build for cranking and rattle traps. Also picked up some basic supplies - brushes, mixing cups, finishes, thread, and one of the new Muddhole/Fuji "sprayed" real seats - very nice....

This was my first one, but hope to attend more. The venue was pretty nice. First time I have been to the conference center in High Point. Was really hard to hear in some of the seminars though. The seminars were in the same room as the vendor/display areas, so there was a lot of background noise. But, overall, was good and would go back in a minute.