NWTF NEWS 2023 Custom Callmaking Competition

[Greg Massey]

The 2023 Grand National Custom Callmaking competition is now open for registration. This year celebrates the NWTF 50th anniversary. Now they have a few things to share with everyone concerning this year's competition. This year the contest is NOT going to be in the convention hall as in past years. Long story short it's moving from inside the convention center to another building called the Gaylord Opryland Events Center. You can check the website for details and a map of the new location. I know a lot of people go to see all the calls etc so this is just some recent news from the NWTF... They are also going to have a couple of new divisions this year, Wildlife Art and new JAKES divisions for new call builders that are designed for young callmakers to build turkey calls.. So for more information check out the NWTF website.

[GobbleGitr]

Is that building attached and within easy walking distance of the old location? Would be great if you can share directions and/or map

[Yoder409]

Wow........

Is it just me ??  Or does this seem like a total slap in the face to callmakers ??

Anyone know what was behind this move

[callmakerman]

Wow........

Is it just me ??  Or does this seem like a total slap in the face to callmakers ??

Anyone know what was behind this move

There's a few call makers that are not happy with this move. In the old location you could walk over check things out at any time during the show. Not sure how this will help bring any attention to the custom calls or the auction being that it's in a separate location.

[greentrout]

Logically I would assume they're expecting a bigger turn out for the 50th anniversary and are wanting it to be a bigger deal.

Now, knowing the NWTF and how it's been going it won't turn out that way and will backfire bigly.

[HookedonHooks]

Wow........

Is it just me ??  Or does this seem like a total slap in the face to callmakers ??

Anyone know what was behind this move

The auction is now totally online rather than having a silent auction for all the calls and ending on Sunday in person. They did a hybrid approach, of in person/online bids the last couple years and are moving to a totally online format with a longer bidding window.

The competition was moved to accommodate more vendor space in the competition area and to separate the judging of the calls from the chaos. It's definitely a double edged sword, the separation is nice for the judges, but definitely a slap to the call makers being kicked to the side and moved elsewhere. It's on Opryland campus, but it's not directly hooked into the convention center building. The biggest issue is the call makers used to be front and center and the main reason people attended the show, as booth prices increase and push them out of affordability/practicality they're all but a lost cause(dollar) to the NWTF. I hate it for the makers that have poured their heart and souls into it for many years, but I don't expect to see much change in the near future.

[tal]

 The NWTF had told some call makers earlier that the move was because a prior vendor couldn't vacate in time for them to set up. On the website now they say it's for the "benefit" of the call makers providing more room etc. NWTF speak with forked tongue. I think it's a good example of how the NWTF has lost it's way. Personally I could spend my time with the calls and never set foot in the convention.

[Yoder409]

I think the old "front and center" for the competition call display was the way it SHOULD be.

I don't see this move being very well-received or successful, either one.

[doublespurs21]

 i believe all that was said above is wrong.. the email i have recieved states that a different company has leased out that space for another kind of show, for that week, and the NWTF would not get that space back in time to set-up the callmaking competion , so NWTF move it. no slap in the face there..

[Sir-diealot]

One more reason I see not to renew.

[greentrout]

I will be spending my time wherever the call makers are. Always been the draw for me.

[greentrout]

I visited Opryland over the weekend and made the walk over to the event center. Not a far walk. Center looks every bit as big as one of the convention rooms. I can't say that it's convenient or anything, but I think it could be nice having a space just for the call makers and none of the other vendors.

[ol bob]

I've went  to the NWTF convention for 20 years, in 4 different states, an as far as custom call makers it does not compare to Unicoi.