DSC 2025 in Atlanta....are you going?

[Green Chile]

Typically they do…

I’m pretty sure this was a deliberate move by SCI though to take advantage of the opportunity to grab a ton of people from about a 200 mile radius around Dallas that normally attend DSC, but won’t be going to Atlanta (DSC has always been easy, and ATL isn’t worth the effort… or they’re pissed.. or whatever)…

TTHA has always been in FT. Worth and always been in August…

It’s not a coincidence that it’s now at the Dallas Convention Center, in January, on the exact same weekend as DSC in Atlanta..

I don’t blame them for that. You could say it’s a great strategic decision. If my job was to grow the organization, I would have considered the exact same thing.

 

[WAB]

Not great to have one leading conservation organization taking it to another if that is what is happening. If they get in a pissing match the loser will be conservation.

 

[Hunt anything]

Not great to have one leading conservation organization taking it to another if that is what is happening. If they get in a pissing match the loser will be conservation.

isnt that what gave birth to DSC?

 

[WAB]

isnt that what gave birth to DSC?

I have no idea. You must go back further than I do!

 

[Hunt anything]

I’ve only heard the story but don’t remember any of the details at all. Heck I could’ve dreamed the whole thing.

 

[wesheltonj]

isnt that what gave birth to DSC?

That would be correct. And the Houston Safari club too.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Typically they do…

I’m pretty sure this was a deliberate move by SCI though to take advantage of the opportunity to grab a ton of people from about a 200 mile radius around Dallas that normally attend DSC, but won’t be going to Atlanta (DSC has always been easy, and ATL isn’t worth the effort… or they’re pissed.. or whatever)…

TTHA has always been in FT. Worth and always been in August…

It’s not a coincidence that it’s now at the Dallas Convention Center, in January, on the exact same weekend as DSC in Atlanta..

I have no factual info to support my opinion and don’t talk to anyone on the board for DSC or SCI but each organization in my eyes, though they have similar missions are competitors. Regardless of what each of us views SCI and DSC as, in many Hunter’s eyes they’re an organization for the rich, they cater to African or International Hunter and don’t do anything for the average deer hunter. Part of why they use the SCI and DSC name to eliminate the “Safari connotation”.

Any way you slice it, the pie is only so big and they’re ultimately competing against one another to grow. If this is true then they need to be run like any other business, except they’re competing against each other for membership, funding, and donations. As such it wouldn’t surprise me if the higher-ups saw this as an opportunity to gain market share from a competitor, expand their membership base, tap into a new market/demographic, and hold/host a smaller more regional type event that could morph into a smaller convention in the fall if TTHA reverts back to their traditional dates.

If I were in charge of growing SCI in terms of membership, attendance, or funding you can bet that’s something I’d have done. If there wasn’t so much open dissent and frustration with the move then it wouldn’t have created the opportunity.

I think DSC will do well in Atlanta. The they’ve held NRA and other outdoor trade shows there with great success. I personally think this is SCI capturing the audience that isn’t willing to make the commute to Atlanta, while DSC will capture that audience plus the Southeastern Audience who already doesn’t make the commute to DSC.

 

[mdwest]

isnt that what gave birth to DSC?

Sorta…

Both DSC and HSC were at one time chapters of SCI..

There was a major falling out with SCI corporate with several of the larger chapters that were contributing the most money, had a large percentage of the overall membership, etc…

SCI’s response was to throw some of the chapters out of the organization…

Which was the birth of DSC and HSC…

SCI had no competition prior to that fairly stupid move (I wasn’t in either organization at the time.. it happened a long time ago.. but based on on what I’ve been told by people that were around, and the handful of articles and other information you can find online.. the move was made out of bravado and arrogance of the then SCI chairman.. and obviously bit them square on the ass hard and they have now had significant competitors for decades as a result that they have to vie against for contributions, show attendance, etc…

 

[wesheltonj]

I have no factual info to support my opinion and don’t talk to anyone on the board for DSC or SCI but each organization in my eyes, though they have similar missions are competitors. Regardless of what each of us views SCI and DSC as, in many Hunter’s eyes they’re an organization for the rich, they cater to African or International Hunter and don’t do anything for the average deer hunter. Part of why they use the SCI and DSC name to eliminate the “Safari connotation”.

I have heard a rumor that some think "Dallas" is "too regional" and suggesting a name change along with other changes.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I have heard a rumor that some think "Dallas" is "too regional" and suggesting a name change along with other changes.

This doesn’t shock me at all, it’s why I think they’ve started to use and brand DSC more. It’s also why I think they wanted to do the east coast show and separate from the Dallas or Texas regional association. I’ve got no evidence, or first hand conversations to go off, just an objective observation from the lens of their target customer, and background in sales and marketing.

 

[sureshot375]

I have heard a rumor that some think "Dallas" is "too regional" and suggesting a name change along with other changes.

It is a poor name for an organization that wants to be an international organization. They kind of outgrew their name.

I think they have done some great work for wildlife. I need to join.

 

[TheGrayRider]

What’s up with this email sent out today by DSC? Anything related to the move to Atlanta??

Good afternoon DSC Members, Volunteers, Exhibitor Partners and Sponsors,

I’m writing to share an important update about the evolution of our leadership team. Our CEO, Corey Mason, will be transitioning to a new professional opportunity. Corey has been a pivotal force in driving numerous successful national and international initiatives and strengthening our organization. While we will certainly miss his leadership, we fully support his decision and recognize that this move is a testament to the high regard in which he is held within the world of wildlife conservation. We wish him nothing but the best and are deeply grateful for all he has done for DSC.

 

[Green Chile]

I got the email. I was told ahead of time that it was coming our way and is definitely related to recent decisions. It sounds like there is a lot going on behind the scenes and there is a good amount of turmoil. I think there are going to be more issues going forward. I'm told that the volunteer base that is needed to make the big show happen is a huge concern in Atlanta. I also heard that the Dallas dates have been booked way ahead by the other organization, which is really SCI. I've had some very high level conversations (confidentially and I will leave it there) that seem to show DSC trouble is here to stay on this subject.

 

[Rare Breed]

I’m two hours from Atlanta so I will likely go.

I am an Atlanta native born and raised I will be there

 

[jpr9954]

I am an Atlanta native born and raised I will be there

I plan to be there. For me, it is about a 3.5 hour drive from WNC.

 

[DPHunter4570]

I got the email. I was told ahead of time that it was coming our way and is definitely related to recent decisions. It sounds like there is a lot going on behind the scenes and there is a good amount of turmoil. I think there are going to be more issues going forward. I'm told that the volunteer base that is needed to make the big show happen is a huge concern in Atlanta. I also heard that the Dallas dates have been booked way ahead by the other organization, which is really SCI. I've had some very high level conversations (confidentially and I will leave it there) that seem to show DSC trouble is here to stay on this subject.

I'm definitely not up to speed on all this, and certainly not in the know at all. But I have to ask, how did DSC not see this coming? The turmoil over the Atlanta decision that is. Right off the bat the volunteer thing seems obvious to a layman like me. And it just blows my mind that in the whole of the Dallas Fort Worth mega city there wasn't another suitable place to have the show.

Like I said, not in the know and not up to speed, but it just all seems obvious.

 

[Hunt anything]

I thought SCI was booked in Nasville for the foreseeable future?

I'm definitely not up to speed on all this, and certainly not in the know at all. But I have to ask, how did DSC not see this coming? The turmoil over the Atlanta decision that is. Right off the bat the volunteer thing seems obvious to a layman like me. And it just blows my mind that in the whole of the Dallas Fort Worth mega city there wasn't another suitable place to have the show.

Like I said, not in the know and not up to speed, but it just all seems obvious.

 

[Green Chile]

I thought SCI was booked in Nasville for the foreseeable future?

Yes to Nashville but also in Dallas through one of their smaller companies. It’s all discussed earlier in this topic. Many of the DSC local members will be attending the Dallas SCI event during DSC dates in Atlanta.

 

[Hunt anything]

Probably read that before but didn’t go back over the whole thread.
I’m planning to attend the Atlanta show, my daughter works in Atlanta so we can visit her and attend the show.

 

[IronRanger]

Picked up airline tickets n reservations last week for Jan 9th to 13? Will attend the Friday dinner and hopefully one of the DSC dinners. Already booked a PG hunt in Nambia 2026 but looking forward to the convention