On Sunday Rich Walton and I met up at DFW Airport and flew to Columbus, Ohio for the ATA Archery Trade Show 2012 at the Columbus Convention Center. We caught a cab and went to our hotel across the street from the convention center.
We ate an early dinner at Barley’s Irish Restaurant and walked over to the show.
This morning (Monday) we had some meetings and then went to the show to get our badges. Although the start of the actual show is not until Tuesday, there were people at the show.
The big attracton on the eve before the show begins is the Outtech Show for archery retailers and media. Outtech is the largest manufactures rep group in the industry and covers multiple sides of the hunting and shooting sports and they put on a great show every year.
Fred Lutger called me when he arrived in Columbus and he, Rich and I went to the Outtech event. I took a few pics while we were there.
A guy introduced himself named Tim Endsley. Tim has been around Bowhunting.net since the early days and was on our live chat back in the late 90’s and early 00’s. He told me he once won one of our many Sweepstakes and got a bunch of archery gear. It was good to meet him.
Tim is a true professional rodeo star and he retired last year. Now he has a company named Bad Medicine Archery. They make arrow wraps, caps, T-Shirts and more.
Below is a pic of Fred Lutger and Jay Liechty.
Here is another bowhunter who has followed Bowhunting.net for years, Jon Qinnell of Overdraw’N Archery in Loyal, Wisconsin.
One of the fun things about the annual Outtech event is they have live entertainment. This year it was country western chart topper and singer songwriter Josh Kelley.
Josh Kelley sung his own country hits but he also threw in a Tom Petty tune and some southern rock.
Well, the Outtech event is over now and it’s time to turn in. Tomorrow will be the actual opening day of the ATA Archery Trade Show.
Look for more updates … right from the show floor.
