December 2011

Regarding retail walk-in companies, we often hear it said – “Location, Location, Location!”  No doubt, for that type business, the physical location is extremely important and can make or break a company regardless of anything else they’ve got going on.  For non walk-in companies, of course, location isn’t terribly important. But something else is –…

The forerunner to the International Custom Rod Building Exposition was first held in 2004 as the National Rod Building Show.  I partnered with Barry Serviente and his Fly Fishing Shows network and utilized a portion of the hall he had leased at the enormous Charlotte Convention Center.  At the same time our shows were taking…

RodMaker Volume 14 #6 is in the mail now. Most of you will receive it sometime just after Christmas. Articles include, The Prism Wrap, Stamped Leather Grips, Grip Coring, Guide to Building Centre Pin Rods, RF LIte Seat Legacy, Guide Evolution, Burnt Cork Facts, Rod Building News, History, Q&A, Reader Letters, Reader Photo Gallery, and…

Following is the tentative seminar presentation list for the upcoming 2012 International Custom Rod Building Exposition. Expect it to change slightly over the new few weeks with a few more additions and perhaps a change or two. Tom Kirkman ……………….   Saturday February 25, 2012 Room A 9 AM – Basic Rod Building with Jim…

Below is the tentative floor plan for the 2012 International Custom Rod Building Exposition. Expect a few changes and/or additions over the next few weeks as more exhibitor contracts arrive. For now, this is where we’re at.   More information on the event can be found on the official event website at http://www.rodexpo.com   Tom…

My attorney once told me, “When there’s trouble, check the low man on the totem pole – he’s the one most likely to cause a ruckus.”   In 9 years of hugely successful International Custom Rod Building Exposition events, we’ve had literally tens of thousands of people and millions of dollars of product, displays, currency, etc., move…

The Volume 14 #6 issue of RodMaker mailed today. Most subscribers will receive it just after Christmas. Tom Kirkman …………………

Depending on who you ask, the U.S. economy is either getting worse or leveling off. But almost nobody believes it’s on any sort of serious upswing. I tend to agree.   For this reason I’m actually feeling pretty darn good about the upcoming International Custom Rod Building Exposition. You see, booth sales have been exceptionally…