American Association of Woodturners - Raleigh, NC - June 4-7, 2026

[Nature Man]

Is anyone planning to attend this annual symposium? If so, please be sure to provide feedback on the event. Chuck

AAW International Woodturning Symposium

The American Association of Woodturning's Annual Symposium is the biggest woodturning event in the world and has something for everyone, no matter your experience level. Learn from the best woodturners in the world, experience the industry's largest tradeshow, and browse wood art exhibitions.

www.aawsymposium.org

 

[guylaizure]

I prefer SWAT.

 

[Eric Rorabaugh]

Looked at being a vendor at the AAW when it was in TN a few years ago. HECK NO!!! The booth fees were high and they want you to carry a $250k insurance rider. My entire SWAT fees (booth, lodging and expenses there and back) are cheaper. I can get 3 spots at SWAT for what I could get one spot at AAW.

 

[Nature Man]

Looked at being a vendor at the AAW when it was in TN a few years ago. HECK NO!!! The booth fees were high and they want you to carry a $250k insurance rider. My entire SWAT fees (booth, lodging and expenses there and back) are cheaper. I can get 3 spots at SWAT for what I could get one spot at AAW.

Too bad, since it is reasonably close to you this year. Chuck

 

[Mr. Peet]

Looked at being a vendor at the AAW when it was in TN a few years ago. HECK NO!!! The booth fees were high and they want you to carry a $250k insurance rider. My entire SWAT fees (booth, lodging and expenses there and back) are cheaper. I can get 3 spots at SWAT for what I could get one spot at AAW.

$250k is not much for a rider. Lot of shows in PA and NY want half mil. for venders. I carry 1 mil just because it covers other actions beyond trade shows, like limited roofing. I used to attend a few AAW events but then they wanted to charge me more than I could justify for a spot, and being I was not selling anything and only freely helping people with wood ID, I stopped attending. Saved a good bit on gas since then too.

 

[trc65]

Everything involved with AAW is expensive. Last I looked annual dues were $75, and that got you 6 glossy magazines a year.

Registration is $485 for members and $575 for non members. Then you have travel, lodging and meals. Too rich for my pocketbook.

I used to be a member, but during COVID year(s) they did an all video conference. During that, I was watching the professionals review the members gallery. A beautiful Basket Illusion piece came up and the woman reviewer went on a rant about "Cultural Appropriation" and refused to let the other two members get a word in edgewise. I had already decided to drop my membership as I wasn't getting much value for the $75. The same day I sent an email to AAW complaint about the reviewer and got total silence back from them. After 3 weeks of no response, sent another email informing them I was dropping membership.

After hearing everyone talk about SWAT, that will be the only convention I'd consider attending.

Rant over....

 

[Eric Rorabaugh]

After hearing everyone talk about SWAT, that will be the only convention I'd consider attending.

Only bad things is its in Texas and hot and you have to put up with us that go!

 

[guylaizure]

Everything involved with AAW is expensive. Last I looked annual dues were $75, and that got you 6 glossy magazines a year.

Registration is $485 for members and $575 for non members. Then you have travel, lodging and meals. Too rich for my pocketbook.

I used to be a member, but during COVID year(s) they did an all video conference. During that, I was watching the professionals review the members gallery. A beautiful Basket Illusion piece came up and the woman reviewer went on a rant about "Cultural Appropriation" and refused to let the other two members get a word in edgewise. I had already decided to drop my membership as I wasn't getting much value for the $75. The same day I sent an email to AAW complaint about the reviewer and got total silence back from them. After 3 weeks of no response, sent another email informing them I was dropping membership.

After hearing everyone talk about SWAT, that will be the only convention I'd consider attending.

Rant over....

Turn on Chicago is pretty good.

 

[Mr. Peet]

Turn on Chicago is pretty good.

Ya, but I hear it is near Chicago.....

 

[Nubsnstubs]

Only bad things is its in Texas and hot and you have to put up with us that go!

Eric, have you registered yet? I did on the 6th. If we can and you approve, I'd like my booth next to yours with all those Texans visiting. let me know. ............. Nubs

 

[trc65]

Turn on Chicago is pretty good.

I'll have to check that out.

Ya, but I hear it is near Chicago.....

True, but that's only a 3-4 hour drive depending on where it is in "Chicago". Could also take Amtrak from Galesburg into Chicago cheaper than it is to drive/park. Galesburg from home is just 20 minutes.

 

[guylaizure]

I'll have to check that out.

True, but that's only a 3-4 hour drive depending on where it is in "Chicago". Could also take Amtrak from Galesburg into Chicago cheaper than it is to drive/park. Galesburg from home is just 20 minutes.

It is at the Hilton in Northbrook

 

[Eric Rorabaugh]

Eric, have you registered yet? I did on the 6th. If we can and you approve, I'd like my booth next to yours with all those Texans visiting. let me know. ............. Nubs

I did. Ready to go! And I don't mind you being neighbors

 

[JonathanH]

Everything involved with AAW is expensive. Last I looked annual dues were $75, and that got you 6 glossy magazines a year.

A beautiful Basket Illusion piece came up and the woman reviewer went on a rant about "Cultural Appropriation" and refused to let the other two members get a word in edgewise. I had already decided to drop my membership as I wasn't getting much value for the $75. The same day I sent an email to AAW complaint about the reviewer and got total silence back from them. After 3 weeks of no response, sent another email informing them I was dropping membership.

After hearing everyone talk about SWAT, that will be the only convention I'd consider attending.

Come on down in August, Tim! As the saying goes, "the water is fine!". Seriously, it has been a great time each time I've been there.

I was also a AAW member and didn't renew for the same reasons. A few months later a very nice older lady called and asked why I didn't want to renew. She was very persuasive & persistent but I didn't renew. I found SWAT in the meantime and the big AAW event doesn't even tempt me. I did meet up with Tony at the recent event in Nashville, Tennessee and enjoyed that one as well, but not as much as SWAT.

Vacation time for this years SWAT was put in for last September.

 

[trc65]

Probably won't be this year, but I will be there sooner or later.

 

[300LW]

I will be at Raleigh and will be meeting up with many friends there. Also, Waco is only a 2 hour drive so of course I will go SWAT.

 

[Mr. Peet]

Anybody want to go to RI?

 

[Nature Man]

Anybody want to go to RI?

Would love to go, but it’s a tad too far without advanced planning. Chuck

 

[Mike Hill]

I did meet up with Tony at the recent event in Nashville, Tennessee and enjoyed that one as well, but not as much as SWAT.

Danged, I really hated to miss that and miss the meetup. Wasn't about to leave my wife in the dark and without electricity. Unfortunately no refund was available, and they did not record any of the demos. Would have like to seen a couple of them at least.