Rod Builder Tables
By all accounts, the International Custom Rod Building Exposition has been immensely successful. The is one aspect of the Expo, however, that I wish more custom rod builders would take advantage of – the opportunity to present your business to serious fishermen.
It’s no secret that the Expo pulls in more than just rod builders – each year more and more general interest fishermen attend the Expo to see what’s new in the rod building world. They want to see the future of fishing rods, today, and the Expo allows them to do just that. Other fishermen attend in order to peruse and commission custom rod work. That’s right – they figure this is the place to be if you want to see the world’s best custom rods and perhaps place an order for a custom rod set.
To this end I long ago set aside rod builder specific booths (tables) that would allow custom rod builders to showcase their wares to interested fishermen. The rod builder tables sell for less than 1/2 of the regular booth price and the only prohibition is that you do not sell blanks and components. The tables also include a slightly smaller space than the standard 10×10 booths, measuring closer to 10×6 feet.
Considering the number of rod builders who spend many hundreds of dollars to attend, an additional $200 for one of the Expo rod building tables is only a small additional expense, and the sale of just one or two rods can easily pay for the table. Of course, as those savvy builders who already exhibit know, the goal of such a marketing presence at the Expo is less about sales at the show and more about building a brand image – name recognition and residual sales are the real goal.
As we wind down towards the Expo (February 25&26, 2012) there are still a few rod builder tables available. Interested rod builders should contact me ASAP for complete information. Shoot me an email at: rodmaker@earthlink.net and we’ll get you set up with all the details. This is a grand advertising opportunity for very little money.
Tom Kirkman
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This is also a great way to showcase any new techniques to other rod builders – and an ‘anchor point’ where other rod builders can find you throughout the show.