On behalf of the NCTA I would like to thank everyone who came to the show this past weekend. We had an amazing time and I hope everyone felt welcome, learned a lot, and plans to return for another great show next year.

The caliber of work in the showroom took center stage, I want to congratulate everyone who entered their work into the show. The time and sacrifices to put a showpiece together are recognized and greatly appreciated! Congratulations to the winners, well done!

For the third year in a row the gamehead/lifesize categories took home the Breakthrough best of show. As a fish guy I challenge my fellow fish heads to step up and give those mammal taxidermists a run for their money! As we have done in the last two years, our 2027 show shirts will have the previous year’s Breakthrough winning piece displayed as the art design.

I want to publicly thank the NCTA board and officers for all their hard work, it takes quite a bit more work than just what is seen at the show. Our committee chairs were the real MVPs of the team. The auction was very well done, thanks in very large part to Mr John Cranford and his team and a nod to Mr. Jake Rouse for his outstanding job as lead entertainer and auctioneer.

AND to the showroom committee chair Mr Doug Shores and the Shores family for managing the monster job of that showroom, thank you all so very much! I want everyone reading this to know the planning and work for next year’s show started yesterday, I cannot express enough gratitude to adequately satisfy all the Shores family has done for North Carolina’s Taxidermy Association. Their work and sacrifice to contribute to the NCTA is recognized and greatly appreciated. The showroom is the centerpiece of the show and it delivered with flying colors!

Gratitude to the judges Cory Foth, Frank Williams, Ronnie Galliard, Brad Domangue, Steve Tugwell, Brandon Brown, David Beamon, Manny Reiner, and Tyler Whisner for their work and seminar presentations. Judging that show was no joke. It takes time to look at 232 entries and I appreciate their time and attention put into judging every-single-entry!

I could write at least another 3 feet of text wall thanking and congratulating everyone, but for the sake of our readers I will cut it short by saying THANK YOU to everyone that attended and played a part in putting on this years show. I especially want to thank those who served before us, we are only great today because we can stand on the shoulders of those who have lifted us up in the past.

Thank you all so very much!!!!!!

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Brian Piro

NCTA President