There are 44 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 & Columbia Attractions
Click here for the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center web site.
Click here for the Columbia, Missouri Convention and Visitors Bureau web site.

NTA 2001 Schedule of Events
Click here for the complete convention schedule.

NTA 2001 Evening Activities
Click here for planned evening activities.

NTA 2001 Registration Form
Click here for registration information.

Looking for a Getaway?
Columbia, Missouri -- You gotta see it to believe it!
Columbia, Missouri will provide you the experiences of four distinct seasons. Bass, Deer, Duck and Turkey -- The Holiday Inn Executive Center will provide the perfect blend of taxidermy and fellowship for you and your family this summer. With everything conveniently located under one roof this will be the perfect spot to enjoy the NTA in a relaxed atmosphere. So get your mounts ready, pack your bags, grab the family and we'll meet you there.

What do taxidermy; seminars, suppliers, auctions and awards have in common? The National Taxidermists Association Annual Convention, Competition and Trade Show. Taxidermists that support the NTA will converge on Columbia, Missouri in July. Serious taxidermists demand good information. The NTA and Columbia, Missouri plan on delivering a full schedule of exciting events and fellowship that will be fun for the entire family.

A long list of your favorite exhibitors and a variety of new ones will be displaying products and services within our convention halls. So, put your feet up, kick back and relax with the NTA in Columbia where you are sure to find something for everyone in your family.

Columbia International Airport is located just a few miles away. Roundtrip airport shuttle service is available but call the Holiday Inn Select for rates and reservations. Both St. Louis and Kansas City are only 125 miles east or west. They are serviced by several major airlines and rental cars are available. So, give Claire or Charlotte a call at Country Travel 1-800-229-1060 and they will be glad to help you with your travel arrangements.

Accommodations
The NTA has made arrangements for the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center to provide accommodations for our 2001 convention participants. Please make your hotel reservations immediately as all rooms will be sold out early. Cut off date for hotel reservations are June 11th if they still have rooms available. You will need to contact the hotel directly to make your convention room reservations. When making your reservations be sure to tell them you are with the NTA in order to receive the reduced rates. Room rates at the Holiday Inn Select are $77.00. So relax and find exquisite comfort and luxury by contacting the hospitable staff at the Holiday Inn at (573) 445-8531x 793 between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 p.m. Or click here to visit the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center web site.

All It Takes Is One Call
You don't have to be a perfectionist to enjoy making a small fuss over NTA members. We just take pride and enjoy getting the members ready to enjoy their mini vacation. First and foremost, remember that we are here to serve you, so feel free to ask for assistance on any subject. If we don't have the answer rest assured we'll find the right person with the right answer.

To register to attend the NTA Convention in Columbia, Missouri call (985) 641-4NTA (4682) or fax (985) 641-0191. We'll help you arrange everything quickly for attending the convention in Columbia. Those members taking advantage of the pre-registrations service can pick up their convention packets and conference kits before the convention starts. The first thing you'll always see at the NTA convention is just how easy it actually is to start your convention experience. So what's stopping you from registering? Check out the line up of events and phone, fax, mail or email your registrations and you're on your way to an exciting convention that will give you goose bumps.

How To Register
Look over the registration form and fill in your name, address and all member information. Make certain your 2001 membership dues are current at this time as the convention is for NTA members only. If they are not, please choose the membership category you wish and fill in the amount. The registration includes your spouse and children under 18. This will entitle you and your family to full access of the convention for three days. It includes admission to all of the educational seminars, trade show, and viewing the competition area. You will have the opportunity to attend our special "Hands-On" seminars, but sign up early as seating is limited.

If you are unable to attend for the full show you may also choose our new one-day registration and take in that day's schedule of activities. However, the one-day registration does not allow you to complete in the taxidermy competition or the sculpting and original art contest.

Choose what you and your family would like and then fill in the numbers and amounts. Total up your registration fee and check over items 1-6, sign the registration release statement, and return the completed form along with your check, money order or credit card number (Canadian & Foreign members credit card only), to NTAHQ, 108 Branch Drive, Slidell, LA 70461, or credit card registrations may be faxed to (985) 641-0191. If you have any questions please phone us at (985) 641-4NTA (4682).

Pre-Register And Save $$$
All pre-registrations postmarked by June 11th will receive the special discounted prices offered. Save money by taking advantage of this and send in your registration today! All of those who pre-register will have a special desk to pick up their convention packets and avoid any delays with those registering on site.

2001 Trade Show
July 11-15 will find the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center's exhibit hall jam packed with exhibit booths from the nation's best suppliers.

From individuals to companies you will have the opportunity to meet the people that produce the products you work with. These suppliers are waiting to meet and greet you and introduce you to their line of products. Whether you are here for the first time or are a long-time customer of theirs, they are here to help you. They want to show how your work can be made easier, faster, simpler, and more cost effective. This will put money in your pocket!

There are always some new innovative products that will be shown for the first time ever, so you may wish to take advantage of these latest developments. Most items are available for purchase at the show and many suppliers offer convention discounts or show specials. Almost everyone will have FREE handouts, catalogs, or samples for you to try. Some will even hold special drawing in their booths.

There is so much to see and do and the NTA convention is the only place where it all happens in one location.

2001 NTA Competition
There are many taxidermy and sculpting competitions across the country available for individuals to enter. However, over the years the NTA has deservedly earned the reputation of having the highest caliber of consistently fair and honest competitions of any being offered. One of the reasons is that volunteer NTA members to benefit the NTA membership as a whole operate the NTA competition. This allows all of our time and energy to be focused on giving the competitor the greatest opportunity of earning their place in the all-time records of taxidermy history. This is why the NTA has drawn almost 1500 participants and has had over 540 competition entries. No other nonprofit competition can come close to the honor and prestige associated with winning a major award at the NTA.

Competitors have come to know and trust the integrity of NTA judges. A committee set up by the NTA president and the competition-judging chairman, and then approved by the NTA board of directors has carefully screened these individuals. It doesn't matter which mannikin or form you use or whom you work for, as anyone can win at the NTA and everyone has an equal opportunity. Only official NTA scoresheets are used where you can see exactly the areas you need to improve and can easily understand what you need to work on in the future.

Awards are determined based upon how well you do against the scoresheet, not against someone else's mount. Multiple ribbons are awarded in the "Open Division" for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place. If you have further questions after receiving your scoresheets on Saturday morning you are encouraged to speak with the judges. Naturally, as with all major sanctioned NTA competitions, each entry earning at least a 3rd place award will receive valuable points that can be used towards your "Award of Excellence" and your "National Certification."

All major awards will be announced and presented at the Saturday night awards banquet so everyone should plan in advance on attending. Tickets will only be on sale until Thursday, 48 hours in advance, so purchase yours at the same time you register. With the most prestigious awards in the world of taxidermy being presented we try to dress up a little for this awards banquet and suggest a sports coat for this one night (although it is certainly not required.)

Could you be one of those in 2001 that receives worldwide recognition by winning "Taxidermist of the Year," "Judges Best of Show," or any of the other major awards up for grabs?

For further competition rules contact NTAHQ.