2023 SCI Convention in Nashville

[Doug3006]

I read that the SCI convention will be in Nashville next year. I’m surprised. The moves from Reno to Vegas to Reno seemed like shopping for the best deal. Nashville is a real break from tradition. I’ve never been to SCI but have always enjoyed the DSC show. With Nashville just a 4.5 hour drive I’m more willing to try the SCI in addition to the DSC. I wonder if the SCI faithful will make the trek to Nashville. What are your thoughts about the move?

 

[LivingTheDream]

I am excited about it and will be going in 2023.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I'm going to wait until it comes to Denver. LOL

 

[kevin masters]

That's awesome I will definitely attend!!! the only outdoor show on the east coast
is Harrisburg PA. the nwtf has their annual convention in Nashville and we always enjoy it!

 

[Red Leg]

Neither Nancy nor I "get" Vegas. We are excited about going to Nashville. Will probably generate a lot of other DSC membership to attend as well.

 

[sierraone]

I believe there is already a thread covering this. Apparently there are more than a few members that live within 2-3 hours of Nashville. I have never been to SCI either, just too far for me to go to Vegas. But Nashville is the same distance as Dallas, just the other direction. And since it is 5-6 weeks after Dallas, I may very well attend for the first time. Time will tell.

 

[Tanks]

Never been to Nashville. So, looking forward to it. I think SCI at Vegas had hit the point of diminishing returns. I know there was Covid scare, but still sparse crowds. Outfitters I talked to stated a lot more business was done in Dallas.

 

[Leelanau Man]

I enjoyed SCI in Vegas, but I’m excited for it to be within driving distance!

 

[jpr9954]

Other than the downtown traffic in Nashville, I am very pleased to see it there. It is a tank of gas away instead of a plane ticket. Though, the way gas prices are going, soon they will cost the same.

I did the NRA Annual Meeting there a few years ago. The location of the convention, the Music City Center, is very nice.

 

[Bearskinner]

Either place is a very long drive, but I just do not like Las Vegas. I have not attended an SCI convention, but in Nashville I am planning on going. The location worked on getting me to attend.

 

[TheGrayRider]

I plan to attend SCI 2023. Nashville - 3.5 hour drive. Las Vegas - 20 hour plus drive. Much closer and convenient.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I read that the SCI convention will be in Nashville next year. I’m surprised. The moves from Reno to Vegas to Reno seemed like shopping for the best deal. Nashville is a real break from tradition. I’ve never been to SCI but have always enjoyed the DSC show. With Nashville just a 4.5 hour drive I’m more willing to try the SCI in addition to the DSC. I wonder if the SCI faithful will make the trek to Nashville. What are your thoughts about the move?

The problem with Reno is that it's Reno. A dump of a town. But Reno did open it's arms to SCI and bent over backwards for them. But as I understand it, SCI had grown beyond what the convention center could hold. Indeed the one time I went to SCI in 2011, there were exhibitors in the hallways outside the main convention room.

Vegas has plenty of room, but it also has a much higher cost I'm told. And Vegas couldn't care less if SCI shows up or not. Your just one more convention there. I'm sure it was due to Covid, but I found that after the show this year, the casinos were dead. The "usual crowd" at the Aurora bar at the front of the Luxor was not there. This particular bar if you've not been there would generally have a lot of outfitters and clients there before and after dinner. This year it was just empty most of the time. In the end Vegas is nicer than Reno, but it's grown old and expensive.

What will Nashville bring? Well I hope that many more east coast folks to a major show. I hope southern hospitality as the folks in Dallas do so well with will also be present.

Dallas will certainly still pull in hunters from western states. And there's also the Western Hunting Expo in Salt Lake City. This show isn't quite the sized of SCI or DSC, but it's sizable and growing.

 

[YancyW]

I like Nashville, and I am excited to go to the show next year.

 

[wesheltonj]

Downtown Nashville is great. I may have to go.

 

[Aaron N]

I just asked the wife if she wanted to go to Nashville next February.

Without hesitation, she said “Sure!”
Then she said “Wait a minute, there some sort of hunting expo there, isn’t there”

But she never said no! Looks like im going to Nashville!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Question: To attend the SCI convention, do you have to be a member of SCI? It seems like I recall someone stating the difference between SCI and DSC conventions is DSC is open to the public while SCI is a members only deal. I've never had a yearning to join SCI, especially after the Cecil the Lion fiasco and throwing one of their own members under the bus before the facts were known.

 

[Tanks]

Question: To attend the SCI convention, do you have to be a member of SCI? It seems like I recall someone stating the difference between SCI and DSC conventions is DSC is open to the public while SCI is a members only deal. I've never had a yearning to join SCI, especially after the Cecil the Lion fiasco and throwing one of their own members under the bus before the facts were known.

It is only $65 a year. Also, without SCI, African trophy imports and hunting would be in much worse shape today.

 

[spike.t]

Well I liked it in reno...the conventions in the 90s in ballys as it was called then...were so much more fun than now...was smaller and one big party...and most people knew a lot of the people there...and we got to know people who worked the different places...as Phil said they loved the convention there and made a big effort....when it got bigger and moved to the convention centre the whole atmosphere changed....but was still good ...Vegas doesn't give a monkey about sci convention as its tiny in comparison to a lot of conventions there.....and not a fan of Vegas....everyone should go once....so will have to see what nashville is like I suppose.....presuming can make it that is....sci this year first missed since 1990.....so fingers crossed....

 

[WAB]

We will probably go to Nashville as it’s only a 3 hour drive. Nashville is a great town to visit. If I never see Vegas again it will be too soon.

 

[Scott CWO]

Wife already booked our room in Nashville. We’ve enjoyed Vegas and the 2017 Hank Jr concert and the usual George Strait concert at the same time in 2018 & 2019. SCI 2022 was fine but we are looking forward to Nashville and a new experience.