Landed an opportunity to run a program in Atlanta...just so happens to coincide with Blade Show Granted, I will be busy till about 5 or 6pm on Friday, but I finally get to be there!! Looking for some insight from those that have participated in the past.

What events are a must (days / times)?

Best places to stay? Preference for Sheraton or Embassy? What's closest to the action?

Besides mentally preparing for the trough stomp...what else should I consider as a show newb?

Thanks!

Ishi, the show runs from Friday through Sunday afternoon. The first hour on Friday usually offers a 10% discount for the first hour only, then regular show prices. Saturday is a great day to be at the trough for the "feeding frenzies", usually every two hours. Later on after the show closes for the day, Busse rents out the Jocks & Jills restaurant for a nice buffet style meal, then the fun begins! Inductions, and you never know what else Jerry might come up with. Then in the patio area are games/contests for shop credit prizes and socializing with fellow Dogs, Rats, and Hogs. You DON'T want to miss it...LOTS of fun!

There's a LOT of hotels/motels near the Cobb Galleria to choose from. I usually go cheap and stay at the Extended Stay Homestead motel, about 1 mile or so from the Cobb
Galleria. I would rather spend my money on knives than a motel room I won't see much of! It's also about 1/3 the cost of the Rennaisance Waverly next to the Galleria. Just Google Smyrna Georgia hotels and motels or Atlanta hotels/motels for location, cost, etc.

It really is a great experience that every knife afficianado should attend at least once in their life!

I should add that the Cobb Galleria is way in the northwest corner of the Atlanta area, practically in Marietta. Nicest place to be for Atlanta!

Remember decent footwear!

Last year, I had on some crappy, but cool shoes, which killed my feet.

And have a good time!
Look out for this Tom Kanik caracter, though!

Lucky Dog!

Not that I've gone, but I say have fun touring all the other knife makers as well...

Check out Winkler Knives hawks please...I need info!!

Thanks guys! So, other than the 10% discount, looks like I will be ok. Looking forward to the opportunity.

Have fun

I think that ANYBODY who attends the Blade show has fun!

I am surprised Blade West didn't pick up enough momentum to stick around. As you mention blade sounds like a blast. We need more blade shows.

I hope that we can keep the Blade show in Atlanta in light of all the doom and gloom the economic experts are predicting! It always draws a HUGE crowd!

True, I have read some doom and gloom articles but there is always room for the right knife

I always carry some sort of small backpack or manpurse to a show like Blade (haven't been to blade, but use to frequent the huge 1500+ table gun shows) so I can keep my hands free while still acquiring some goods.

That is an excellent suggestion; a lot of folks have packs or bags to hold their goodies.