Have you ever thought about sending your kids to the moon and back? Then come to Huntsville, where space exploration is a way of life. Huntsville is a small, friendly town and has made a name for itself as America’s space capital since 1950, when Dr. Wernher von Braun and 117 German scientists arrived to develop rockets for the United States Army. The 16,000-person cotton town that Dr. von Braun joined has blossomed into a city of 180,000. So come on, unleash your talent and make plans to attend a major family attraction this summer…the National Taxidermists Association Convention, Competition and Trade Show.

Come visit the NTA in Alabama and enjoy a perfect balance between on-the-go activities and evenings filled with blissful relaxation. The NTA is not just a convention…it’s an experience you can share with the entire family. We have designed an adventure for you and your family. Your Board has chosen the Holiday Inn Hotel and Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Alabama, as our host city for July 8-11, 2009.  With unrivaled seminars, competition judges, accommodations and great food, this summer getaway will provide members with a winning combination for a family vacation. 

WEDNESDAY  5:00-8:00 pm:   Our Registration Area will open at 5:00 pm and close at 8:00 pm as well as accepting competition entries.  While registering for the show you will have the opportunity to renew friendships and create some new ones while everyone takes care of their registration and competition entries.  Next you will have your choice of 8 seminars to attend Wednesday evening, in addition to a seminar just for children. 

THURSDAY 6:00-7:00 pm: The NTA will host a “Welcome to Huntsville Reception” at the Von Braun Convention Center. We want you to attend the welcome reception and then meet and greet 5 new people you have never met.  What a great way to meet friends at an NTA get together! We welcome the opportunity to celebrate our 38th Anniversary with you.  While not a meal, we’ll have assorted finger foods.  What a great way to open your convention vacation in Huntsville.  At the close of the welcome reception we encourage you to have family and friends time.  Take a few moments and go to dinner with friends, pizza and a movie in your room or just enjoy an evening of good conversation.  Whatever you and your family decide to do, just have fun in Huntsville!

FRIDAY 7:00 p.m. - until:
The Trade Show area will again remain open until 6:30 pm.  We will break and meet at 7:00 pm.  Rounding out our evening, we will be presenting our great membership prizes to those lucky enough to be drawn.

Recipients of the 2009 Charlie Fleming Educational Scholarship will be announced on this night.  We will announce this year’s election results and hold our annual auction of donations from the suppliers.  Members are encouraged to bring or make a contribution to the auction and participate in the bidding.  100% of the proceeds for this auction are designated to the NTA General Fund; there are NO commissions or percentages paid to anyone.  Be sure to attend and make some great purchases at discounted prices and help the NTA at the same time.  Our annual membership meeting will be held at the conclusion of the auction. Be sure to attend this meeting.  Dress will be very casual.  There will be no meal served at this meeting; there is no cost to attend.

SATURDAY: 6:00 pm-11:00 pm: 
Kids Pizza Party!  Kids from ages 3 to 8 and 9 to 12 can have loads of fun while Mom & Dad attend the Awards Banquet.  There will be pizza, videos and games with supervision.  You MUST pre-register on the convention registration form.  Be sure to bring your pillow and sleeping bag and don’t forget your appetite! Parents, located at the bottom portion of your badges are your NTA membership number.  Should an issue arise, we will announce your membership number at the banquet, not your name.  This is your signal to immediately proceed to the pizza lock in to reference the little issue.  (Tips encouraged and accepted for your sitters.)

6:00 pm- 7:00 pm: The Highlanders Quartet
From the Psalms of David to the Song of Mary and countless times in between, God has chosen to touch hearts with hymns and spiritual songs. It is in this light that The Highlanders Quartet travels from church to church proclaiming the glorious gospel of salvation. Saturday evening from 6:00 to 7:15, NTA Board Member Joe Kaiser and his quartet, The Highlanders of Highland Drive Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas will be presenting a good ole fashioned singing. In addition to the evening performance they will be singing our National Anthem at Saturday night’s banquet.

6:15 pm-7:15pm: 
The Von Braun is the place to be prior to the banquet, this will allow everyone a chance to unwind and contemplate on tonight’s big winners. A cash bar will be available.

7:15 pm:
Our Annual National Awards Banquet will be held at the Von Braun Center. The NTA salutes its volunteers, Board and staff and will present all awards tonight. Be sure to purchase your tickets by Thursday afternoon, as the cut-off is 48-hours advance notice.  Prior to the awards presentation the NTA will present an auction comprised of hunts, fishing trips and other surprise items, which may be purchased at prices our members can afford.

The prestigious NTA Award of Excellence recipients will be presented first and following that will be our 2009 NTA Director of the Year Award and President’s Award will be announced.  At the conclusion of our auction, we will carry out our installation of new officers and board of directors which you have elected. Then we will present the most celebrated ceremony in the world of taxidermy, the major awards presentation.  Everyone will be holding their breath as the champions are presented.  This night you will have the occasion to witness the industry’s leading artists of tomorrow as they earn their titles of recognition.  While certainly not required, we suggest a sport coat for this banquet as photographs are taken for promotional purposes.

NOTE: Banquet Tickets are required. Please reference your packet at the registration to ensure you take delivery of your tickets. This event has reserved tables. You may purchase and reserve a table for 8 @ $225.00. If you wish to sit with someone and reserve a table, we must receive the registration form for you and the other party together. There are 8 seats per table.

TUESDAY, JULY 7  
 3:00 p.m. until....................................NTA Board Meeting (Members welcome, 
        All State Presidents should attend)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 
7:30 am-2:30 pm................................ Set up backboards - Your Help Is Needed 
8:00 am-until..................................... NTA Board Meeting (Members welcome, 
        All State Presidents should attend)
2:30 pm-8:00 pm................................ Trade Show Booth Set Up 
5:00 pm-8:00 pm................................ REGISTRATION OPEN-Competition Entries accepted 
7:00 pm-9:30 pm................................ Seminars- On Going in Lobby-Antler Reproductions-AVES/Dave Hale
     Mounting & Finishing Boar-Richard Noles
     Hands On Whitetail Eye Setting Seminar (McKenzie)
     Beginner Whitetail-Mel Kincheloe (See description details)- Part 1
     Mounting a Snake- Dave Whitney 
     Art of Knife Sharpening- Charles Ritchie
     Adhesives in Taxidermy-Eric Steinbring (Newton Supplies)
     Mounting a Corsican Sheep-Olaus Lyons (Sponsored by Van Dyk)e
     Skinning, Painting, Bass-Archie Phillips (Sponsored by Archie Phillips)
Children’s Seminar-Von Braun Center 

THURSDAY, JULY 9 
 8:00 am-5:00 pm...............................REGISTRATION OPEN      
            Competition Entries Accepted 
                   NO Entries Accepted after 11:00 am
8:30 am-11:00 am.............................. Seminars-On Going in Lobby-Antler Reproductions-AVES/Dave Hale
Waterfowl-Bill Bowen
     Beginner Whitetail-Mel Kincheloe (See description details)- Part 2
Mounting Pedestal Bobcat-Brian Harness (Sponsored by Ozark Woods)
Successful Business A-Z -Archie Phillips (Sponsored by Archie Phillips)
     Skin, mount, Paint LM Bass-Frankie Thompson
     Fake Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend-DeeAnn Daniels (Premier Designs)
     Mounting Whitetail-(Sponsored by McKenzie)
     SCI-Master Measurers Course-Mandatory Instruction Session
     Children’s Seminar-Stacie Wolk-Painting T-Shirts (Sponsor: McKenzie)
10:30 am-1:15pm...............................Trade Show Opens 
1:30 pm -4:00 pm............................... Seminars- On Going in Lobby-Antler Reproductions-AVES/Dave Hale 
Ask the Taxidermists Q & A -Phillips/Holmes/Kaiser
Beginner Whitetail-Mel Kincheloe (See description details)- Part 3
Mounting Woodduck-Cody Bellanger (Part 1)
     Fleshing-Troy Thompson (Sponsored by Bettcher Industries)
     Mounting Squirrels-David Ellzey (Sponsored by Ellzey’s Squirrels)
     Painting Arp 3D Largemouth Bass-McKenzie Supply
     SCI-Master Measurers Classroom Scoring Available
     Ladies “Not So Seminar” by Linda Edwards
Children’s Seminar-Painting Aprons-JoAnn & Billy Hale
4:00 pm-7:30 pm................................Trade Show Open 
6:00 pm-7:00 pm……………………Welcome to Huntsville Reception-Supply Room (Sponsored by facility) 
7:30 pm-til..........................................Family & Friends Time

FRIDAY, JULY 10
8:30 am-4:00 pm................................ REGISTRATION OPEN 
8:30 am-11:00 am...............................State President’s Meeting 
8:30 am-11:00 am.............................. Seminars- On Going in Lobby-Antler Reproductions-AVES/Dave Hale
Beginner Mallard A-Z-Joe Kaiser
Animals in Motion- Sam Raby (Sponsored by Animals in Motion) 
Finger Painting Fish-Jim Allred (See description-pre registration required)
(Sponsored by Jim Allred Supply) 
Hands on Life-Size Whitetail (Part 1)-George, Michael & Sandy
Rock Making-John Will (Sponsored by Quik Rock)
     SCI-Master Measurer Classroom Scoring Available 
Children’s Seminar-Stranger Danger
9:30 am-11:00 am………………….. Cooking Class- Von Braun Chef
10:30 am-1:15 pm.............................. Trade Show Open 
1:30 pm-4:00 pm.................................Seminars- On Going in Lobby-Antler Reproductions-AVES/Dave Hale       Mounting Pheasant-Randy Life (Sponsored by Van Dyke)
     Mounting Whitetail-Tommy Hall (Sponsored by Van Dyke)
     Reproduction Fish-Mike Kirkhart (Sponsored by New Wave Replicas)
     Hands on Life-Size Whitetail (Part 2)-George, Michael & Sandy
     Adhesives-Mitch Webb/ Darrel Rollans (Sponsored by DermaGrip) 
Adult Seminar-Self Defense (Dress comfortable)
Mounting a Boar-Bones Johnson (Sponsored by McKenzie)
     SCI-Master Measurer Classroom Scoring Available
Children’s Seminar-Choices-Choices-Choices-JoAnn & Billy Hale 
3:30 pm-6:30 pm............................... Trade Show Opens 
6:30 pm-10:00 pm............................. Competition Area Open for Public Viewing 
7:00 pm-until..................................... Children’s Seminar-Painting Decoy & Pen with The Busy Bowen’s
General Membership Meeting, Election Results, Charlie Fleming   Educational Fund, Pioneer Awards, Membership Prizes, Auction

SATURDAY, JULY 11   
8:30 am-3:00 pm................................ FINAL REGISTRATION 
8:30 am-11:00 am...............................Seminars- On Going in Lobby-Antler Reproductions-AVES/Dave Hale 
     Drying & Fleshing Pressure Washing- Richard Noles (Outside SO Hall)      Painting Bills & Feet-Joe Kaiser
     Mounting Gamehead-Randy Life (Sponsored by Van Dyke)
     Mounting WT w/dry preservative-Jeff Martin
      (Sponsored by Second 2 Nature)
     George, Michael & Sandy-Hands on Life-Size Whitetail (Part 3)
     Proper Skin Handling-Ken Navas (Sponsored by Wildlife Fur Dressing)
     Ladies Seminar-Experience Scentsy-Michelle Bowen
     Business & Pricing-Mike Gillis (Sponsored by McKenzie)
SCI-Master Measurers-Scoring Closes @ 11:00 AM
Children’s Seminar
 9:00 am-4:30 pm...............................Competition Area Open 
10:30 am-4:30 pm.............................. Trade Show Open 
1:00 pm-4:00 pm............................….Safari Club International Official Measure’s Course 
        (All Will Become SCI Official Measurers) 
1:30 pm-4:00 pm...............................Seminars-Whitetail Instruction-Lou Gagliano
     NTA Judges Conference-Kaiser/Edwards/Vanderburgh 
     Finishing & Reference Woodduck (Part 2)- Cody Bellanger
 
     Painting Smallmouth Bass-Rick Krane
     Bird Taxidermy-Glen Browning
     Gamehead Critique-Paul Gallegos
     Children’s Seminar
4:30 pm-6:00 pm................................ Trade Show Area Move Out 
4:45 pm-5:15 pm................................ Competition Entries Removed 
5:15 pm-6:00 pm............................... Competition Area Breakdown   Your Help Is Needed! 
6:00 pm – 11;00 pm……………….. Pizza Party Lock In (ages 3-12)
6:00 pm-7:15 pm…………………... The Highlanders Gospel Quartet w/Joe Kaiser (Salon 3)
6:00 pm-7:15 pm................................ Social Hour (West Hall) 
7:15 pm – til…………………………Awards Banquet-North Hall 3, with  Auction, “Award of Excellence,” “Director of the Year, “President’s Award, “Major Awards Presentation,” Installation of Officers, (sports coat suggested.)
 

Please take the time to visit  The Taxidermist Emergency Relief Fund Site Mounts and taxidermy items for sale on www.taxidermistrelieffund.com Join the NTA now! Call, write, or e-mail Cindy at NTA Headquarters NTA Headquarters 108 Branch Drive Slidell, LA 70461 Phone 1-866-662-9054 E-mail: ntahq@aol.com Fax: 985-641-9463 Want to know about advertising rates with the NTA? Click here for our Media Kit Information Copyright © 2001-INFINITY National Taxidermists Association