Anticipation is growing for Catfish Conference 2017. The event is set in a bigger venue because of the enormous success of the inaugural event in 2016. This year it is a two-day event, scheduled for Feb. 25 and 26, 2017. The Crowne Plaza Conference Center, Louisville, KY, offers excellent facilities and the two-day schedule opens up the opportunities of the conference to a much larger audience in the catfish community.
Catfish education is high on the priorities of the conference. Live seminars will be given by five well-known and knowledgeable catfish personalities. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn catfishing tips and techniques from the likes of Jason Bridges, Phil King, Tim “Doc” Lange, Joe Ludtke and James “Big Cat” Patterson. It doesn’t get much better than that!
More than 35 vendors will set up booths to display and demonstrate their wares. Catfish anglers will be able to see and touch the equipment these vendors have to offer. Sure, you can buy most of it on line, but there is nothing like having it in your hands to help make that final decision to buy.
The success of last year’s conference has attracted a long line of new vendors to the event. It is a great opportunity for manufacturers to gage the response of catfish anglers to their products. For example, first time vendor, Vicious Fishing, will be on hand to show their line of products.
“We continue to see growth in the catfish market,” said Vicious Fishing’s Greg Meunier. Given the recent introduction of our new Vicious No Fade Braid, the Catfish Conference just made a lot of sense for us to go check this show out! We are excited to see how the anglers react to both the No Fade as well as our standard Vicious Braid.”
Vicious Fishing joins a list of 40 other exhibitors, including many that are back for their second conference. A complete list of vendors can be viewed on the Catfish Conference website.
In addition to Catfish Conference, Louisville offers all kinds of interesting attractions. So, bring the family and see the sights depending on your own personal interests. Personally, I can’t think about Louisville without thinking about the Kentucky Derby and Louisville Slugger baseball bats. Both are on my list to visit while I am there.
With respect to the Kentucky Derby, my visit will be to the Kentucky Derby Museum/Churchill Downs – adjacent to Churchill Downs. A visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum reveals the history and pageantry of the Kentucky Derby.
“The thundering hooves of the thoroughbreds and the excitement of the fans that arises each Derby season is beautifully captured in a 360-degree, high definition, multimedia show,” said Louisville tourism spokeswoman, Susan Dallas. “The museum also features interactive exhibits, memorabilia, a gift shop and a café overlooking a paddock with a resident horse. Admission to the museum includes a guided tour of Churchill Downs.”
When I hear the name Louisville Slugger my thoughts go back to an earlier time in my life. I fondly remember swinging a few in my youth. My visit to Louisville is giving me the opportunity to tour the factory where the legendary Louisville Slugger baseball bat is made.
“Visitors can admire the world’s largest bat and discover a prehistoric baseball glove,” revealed Dallas. “You can also count the home run notches that Babe Ruth carved into his Louisville Slugger, and hold the actual bats used by such baseball legends as Micky Mantle, Johnny Bench, David Ortez, Derek Jeter and many more past and present baseball heroes. Finally, visitors receive their very own baseball bat sample from one of the city’s most iconic attractions.”
My list also includes a visit to a restaurant/bar on the famed Urban Bourbon Trail. As most folks know, Bourbon is a whiskey that has long been associated with Kentucky. The Urban Bourbon Trail consists of 34 bars and restaurants that showcase Kentucky’s best. You can also visit an actual distillery. There are several on Whiskey Row – Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Peerless Distillery and Angel’s Envy (the newest one to open).
Some of the Urban Bourbon Trail restaurants are located on Whiskey Row,” revealed Dallas. “They include the Bristol Bar & Grill, O’Shea’s Downtown, Sidebar @ Whiskey Row, Troll Pub Under the Bridge, Proof on Main, Jockey Silks, Down One Bourbon Bar and Doc Crow’s. All of these are good. Check them out and you can decide which menu sounds the best to you.”
Other Louisville attractions include the Muhammad Ali Center which celebrates the life and legacy of the world-class boxer. “It is a six-story multicultural center and award-winning museum,” reported Dallas.
“The museum features exhibits spotlighting the six core values Ali strived to live by throughout his life: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Respect, Giving and Spirituality. Highlights include a mock boxing ring, Ali boxing memorabilia, a theater that screens a short film showcasing Ali’s life, and a full-sized boxing ring, where a large projector displays “The Greatest,” his signature fight.”
Time permitting, I will add more attractions to my list as the February dates approach. I think it is safe to say, between the Catfish Conference and the numerous attractions available in the Louisville area it will be a trip to be remembered.
You can attend Catfish Conference 2017, stroll the isles, check out products and talk with the best of the best in the catfish industry. In your free time you can pick out an attraction or two that interest you and enhance your Louisville experience. I know I am looking forward to it. I hope you are too!
Fish with passion.
For more information on the Catfish Conference visit their website.
For more information on Louisville attractions visit the website at www.gotolouisville.com.
