Handloaders Expo?

[jpr9954]

I just spent the weekend at the International Custom Rod Building Expo in High Point, NC. It attracted almost 2,000 custom fishing rod builders, 30-40 manufacturers and dealers to a two day show. It featured manufacturer's exhibits, custom rod builders, and many seminars. People came from all around the US and there were a few from Japan and Europe as well. I've put the link the the Expo's website below so you can see exactly what I'm talking about.

http://home.earthlink.net/~icrbe/

Also see http://www.rodbuilding.org

I'm wondering if something like this has ever been in the reloading field. It is not like the SHOT Show where you have manufacturers selling to dealers and publicizing new products to writers. It also isn't like a gun show where you have a lot of dealers selling their product. Instead, it features like-minded enthusiasts getting together with dealers and manufacturers to put on a show that features a number of booths PLUS seminars. It combined education, sales, and product awareness into one complete package.

I see many similarities between the custom rod builders and handloaders especially the desire to make a product that is better than they can buy retail and to make it fit your needs exactly. I could see a magazine like Handloader being the sponsor and running with it similar to RodMaker Magazine sponsoring the ICRBE.

I'd love to hear what others think about this.

John

 

[dmftoy1]

I think you should set it up . . preferably somewhere within 200 miles of where I live.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[scout26]

I second dmftoy1's motion. I think McCormick Place in Chicago would be ideal. Give Da' Mayor a heartattack, and close to where I live.

 

[jpr9954]

I'll leave it to someone who knows more about setting up these things and the players in the industry to set it up.

However, I think Saint Louis may be a more central location. You wouldn't be that far from MidwayUSA, Grafs, Sierra Bullets and Starline Brass and it is a major city. Moreover, Winchester is just across the river in East Alton, IL. There are a lot of other companies like Hodgdon and Hornady that are also in the MidWest.

I know from the organizer of the Rod Building Expo that he has gotten calls and offers of support for next year's expo from St. Louis and Milwaukee to the tune of $40K.

John

 

[FieroCDSP]

I think I'd go to that. Especially if the manufacturers could advertise 25% discounts or other such great deals. I'm running low on 40cal bullets.

 

[tbtrout]

I like the idea, you could always contact the marketing department of one of the component companies or try a big company like "Sponsored by Cabelas", The East Coasts First Annual Reloading Expo at the Valley Forge Convention Center. Use their contacts for the component companies.

Dude, you have to put this together. You owe it to the rest of us. We want discounts and it is your fault for the suggestion.

 

[dmftoy1]

St. Louis works for me!!

Let's schedule it for a weekend when the cards have a home-stand . .perferably against the cubs.