The National Taxidermists Association
invites you to attend and be a part of promoting and perpetuating the art of taxidermy. Don't miss this opportunity to compare techniques and exchange ideas and information in the heart of America. Centrally located, Lubbock is a prime location at the entrance of the vast "Llano Estacado" of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. Lubbock's location provides easy access to the Southwest, the Rocky Mountains,and the Great Plains region. So pack your bags and head to Lubbock, where the NTA Convention, Conpetition, and Trade Show provides the perfect beginning for a "westward" vacation.

There are 46 Fantastic Seminars Lined Up!
Click here for a complete listing of seminars.

Outstanding Competition Judges
Click here for a complete listing of judges.

Great Accommodations & Lubbock Attractions
Click here for to find out the particulars.

NTA 2000 Schedule of Events
Click here for the complete convention schedule.

NTA 2000 Registration Form
Click here for registration information.

All Work and No Play? No Way!
Wednesday:
Our registration area will open at 6:00 P.M. While registering you will the opportunity to renew old friendships and make some new ones while everyone gets their registration and competition entries taken care of. The NTA and the Holiday Inn will host a Welcome Reception at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center beginning at 6:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. in the registration area. You will also have the opportunity to meet with your NTA officers and directors to offer suggestions and ideas. This will be a great way to open your convention vacation in Lubbock.

We will hold a special "Hands On" seminar at 7:30 P.M. NTA past president Don Holt will teach you how to set whitetail deer eyes. This seminar is being sponsored by Van Dykes and each participant will have a change out whitetail head, eye, and clay to work with. Please bring your favorite modeling tools. Don Holt will explain the basics and then he and other deer head specialists will walk around to offer individualized and personal instruction and advice. You are free to take your completed head home with you to use as a future reference.

We've lined up two additional seminars for wednesday evening to start your NTA vacation off right. Ken Walker will be hosting a seminar on form alterations and Dan Rinehart will be hosting a seminar on fish mounting. These two individuals are proven winners and will share their expertise and knowledge to bring your work to the forefront of taxidermy.

Thursday:
The Trade Show closes at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday to allow NTA members the opportunity to take a bus trip and tour the National Ranching Heritage Center and outdoor exhibits. The buses will depart the Holiday Inn at 6: 15 P.M. for the Heritage Center. You will feel the historic presence of times past when you visit and take a tour of the exhibits. Round-trip bus transportation, tour admission, Bar-B-Que brisket, chicken, beans, potato salad, cherry & apple cobbler, bread and tea included. Please see the Convention Registration form for details. We should be back at the hotel in Lubbock by 9:45 P.M.

Friday:
The Trade Show area will stay open again until 6:30 P.M. We will break and meet at 7:00 P.M. at the Civic Center in the Theatre. We will be giving out our great membership prizes to those lucky enough to be drawn, including a fabulous Alabama Whitetail Deer Hunt for our 100% affiliated chapters. This Alabama hunt was donated by NTA board member Al Holmes.

This year's recipients of the Charlie Fleming Educational Scholarship Fund will be announced on Friday night. We will announce this year's election results and hold our annual auction of donations from suppliers. All of our members are encouraged to donate something for the auction and participate in the bidding. 100% of the money raised at the auction goes to the NTA General Fund as there are no commissions or percentages paid to anyone. You can make some great buys at discounted prices and help the NTA at the same time. Dress will be very casual. Since there will be no meal served at this meeting, there is no cost to attend.

Saturday:
6:15 P.M. - 7:15 P.M. Cocktail hour and cash bar in the Atrium of the Holiday Inn to give everyone a chance to unwind and speculate on tonight's big winners.

7:15 P.M. - The Awards Banquet, held at the Holiday Inn in the South Plains Conference Center Rooms, will begin with a meal of tossed, mixed greens with Ranch & Italian dressings, 8 oz. herb encrusted prime rib au jus, twice baked potato, country style green beans, dinner rolls with butter, Chef's choice of dessert, coffee, decaf, and ice tea. Childs meal will be tossed mixed greens & dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy and fried chicken fingers. All awards will be announced and presented tonight so be sure to get your tickets by Thursday afternoon as the cut-off is 48 hours advance notice. We will be holding a limited Special Auction to benefit the NTA Wildlife Conservation Fund. This will be made up of hunts and fishing trips at a price our members can afford. (Nta board members Archie Phillips and Al Holmes have been hard at work gathring some fantastic items for this auction).

Director of the Year and the President's Award will be announced. We will then be holding the most prestigious ceremony in the world of taxidermy, the major awards presentation. Everyone will be holding their breath as winners are named in 24 divisions. Tonight you will have the opportunity to see the industry's leading artists of tomorrow as they earn their titles of recognition. Finally, we will conduct our installation of new officers and board members that you have elected.

Above & Beyond...
is where the NTA will go to make your family vacation a mix of learning and pleasure

A drawing from all individuals that enter the taxidermy competition (1 chance per entry) will be held. The lucky winner will receive a "Joe Coombs Classics Whitetail Rifle" Browning A-Bolt .270 with Synthetic Stock & Boss Barrel, 3x10 Nikon Scope with Lifetime Warranty. (Donated by Joe Coombs Classics, Inc.) Winner must be present when drawn.

A drawing from all members registered for full convention for a 7' popping plug rod by Crowder Rods, A.B.U. Garcia Ambassador Reel filled with Ande #12 line (donated by Crowder Rod and Mike Kirkhart). Winner must be present when drawn.

Evening Activities
We've made plans for Wednesday night... Our registration area will be the place to be for a "Welcome to Lubbock" reception from 6:30p.m. - 7:30 p.m. While registering you will have the opportunity to renew old friendships and make somenew ones while everyone gets their registration and competition entries taken care of. The registration area will be open from 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.

We've made plans for Thursday night too... We're taking a bus trip to the National Ranching Heritage Center and eating Bar-B-Que...a unique museum comprised of more than 35 authentic dwellings and ranch structures from some of the country's most historic ranches. All structures on the 14 acre site have been authentically restored and furnished. Dating from the late 1700s to 1920, they include: Victorian Home, One-room School House, Dog-trot, Commissary, Historic Windmills, Barns and Corrals, Dugout, Blacksmith Shop, Cattle Train and Depot, Spanish Compound, Ranch Headquarters and Bunk House.

If you want to enjoy good Bar-B-Q, fellowship, walk back in time and experience the real American West then be sure to register for this on your convention registration, item #6.