By Dan Fisher
American Axes was recently contracted to bring axe throwing to the Commodity Classic, held at the Colorado Convention Center in March 2025. This trade show features large farming equipment and various services for some of America’s biggest farmers. Our role was to provide an entertainment element for a 2,000-person dinner hosted by our client.
With two major hubs in Atlanta and Denver, we are approaching 500 events across 20 different states. Now, for the first time in our history, we can proudly say that we have brought axe throwing indoors at a major convention center. Every new request presents a challenge, and this was one of the most complex yet. We were asked if our trailer could fit through an entryway with a clearance of 116 inches and whether we could build additional lanes to accommodate demand during a short activation period.
Overcoming Space Constraints
First, fitting the trailer into the tight space posed a challenge. Initial measurements suggested we were 1 inch too tall. To resolve this, we prepared to remove the wheels and place the axles and tongue onto automobile rollers, which would provide an extra 4–6 inches of clearance. However, after slightly deflating the tires, our trailer measured 115.5 inches—just enough to squeak through. The tightest clearance we encountered was the banquet hall doorway at exactly 116 inches. Meanwhile, the freight elevator gave us a couple of extra inches to spare. In the end, everything worked out great and we just squeaked by!
Building Modular Lanes
Constructing the axe-throwing lanes was another adventure. When we first started American Axes, woodworking and construction weren’t part of our core skill set. Over time, however, we’ve learned the ins and outs of building lanes ourselves—something we now take pride in, as it saves both time and costs.
Our workshop is located in Atlanta, so we opted to build the lanes in Georgia and transport them to Denver in a box truck. The 26-hour drive was certainly not the highlight of the experience! Some even asked why we didn’t source lumber in Colorado, but the reality is that working in our own shop with access to our tools streamlined the process significantly.
Once we arrived at the Colorado Convention Center, we transported each panel to our designated space. Our team of five assembled everything in under 90 minutes, ensuring we were show-ready in short order.
A Successful Event
The finished setup turned out great! We introduced many first-time throwers to the sport, offering coaching from professional competitive axe throwers. Three of our team members—Clark Zimmerman, Walden Cox, and Dan Fisher—were there to guide participants. All three will also be competing in the World Axe and Knife Throwing Championship in Appleton, Wisconsin, this April.
Our company has deep roots in experiential and trade show marketing, and this event was a milestone for us. We’ve now proven that we can bring axe throwing anywhere—even indoors—while continuing to grow the sport and deliver a first-class experience.
A Family Effort
One of the most meaningful aspects of this event was the role of family. Family values are at the heart of American Axes, and this experience was a perfect example. This project allowed a father and son to work side by side—John Fisher stepped away from the golf course to help his son, Dan Fisher, owner of American Axes. From building the lanes to driving from Atlanta to Denver and setting up at the event, John was there every step of the way, making the journey even more special.
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunities we receive from our clients. Tackling challenges like this with a team of colleagues, friends, and family makes every project even more rewarding. Thanks for being part of our journey!