DSC Convention Moving to GA

[mdsalern]

?????

Means he really wants to know the answer to the question as well.

I’m in Fort Worth and I’m surprised they didn’t move DSC to Will Rogers. Has to be a reason. I won’t be traveling to Atlanta and think the move will make Houston busier.

 

[WAB]

Well I guess we’ve got a few years to figure out the dinner. No offense intended to those in Atlanta, but I’d rather go to Nashville.

 

[MAdcox]

I understand the move due to the overhaul of Kay Bailey's place, but I don't understand the conference they want to hold in the summer. That is right in the middle of the hunting season for the Africa outfitters.
It must be a watered down version? Maybe someone with insight can enlighten us as to the objective.

They have had the DSC Foundation Gala in the summer for 2 years now. It has been a very successful one night event and they are looking to expand on it. Not planning for it to replace the Convention.

 

[MAdcox]

Hard to believe that Dallas would not build a new convention center prior to tearing KBH down. Five + years without conventions has to be difficult for the convention industry in Dallas.

The Anatole is too small to return to, but Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Houston should all have adequate space for DSC.

Competing with SCI seems to be a reason for the move.

Perhaps I will go to Houston or Nashville.

My understanding is the venue they looked at in Ft Worth that could accommodate the convention is also planning a major renovation starting in 2025 or 2026. So it wouldn't get them through the 5 years. And several of the other venues in Texas couldn't block the January dates for all the years. They didn't want to have it Jan 2025 then have to do May 2026, etc.
I'm like you on Dallas and the KBH though. I can't understand how they can just tear it down and not have conventions for 5 years. That is going to kill those downtown hotels and restaurants.
Personally, it bums me out. Dallas is 90 minutes from the house and that weekend has become a great time for my family. I always bring one of my kiddos down on Thursday to visit with everybody. They love getting to meet people from all over the world and the taxidermy blows their minds. Then I go home and pack my wife and I off for the rest of the weekend. All day Friday and Saturday on the floor, steak dinner with @cpr0312 and @GA Hunter and then Gilley's to have a ball with this crew. I may try and make a year or two in Atlanta, but it will probably be by myself and tougher to schedule in.
Looking forward to it being back in Dallas.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I guess we can all go get pictures laying on @TOBY458 kitchen counter, it is kinda famous

 

[Rare Breed]

I guess we can all go get pictures laying on @TOBY458 kitchen counter, it is kinda famous

I don’t care who you are, that’s funny!!!

 

[WAB]

I guess we can all go get pictures laying on @TOBY458 kitchen counter, it is kinda famous

And just where do you intend to post those pictures and exactly what will you be advertising?

 

[Bullthrower338]

And just where do you intend to post those pictures and exactly what will you be advertising?

Definitely not where FJB’s brother posted his!

 

[ACM]

Doubtful, HSC has already moved back to the Woodlands that severely limits its size.

Last year it was downtown at George R Brown center, I was there. Nothing like the Dallas convention. Is this a new change for next year.

 

[wesheltonj]

Last year it was downtown at George R Brown center, I was there. Nothing like the Dallas convention. Is this a new change for next year.

Yes, 2024.

 

[TOBY458]

I guess we can all go get pictures laying on @TOBY458 kitchen counter, it is kinda famous

I'll spread a zebra rug across it and you can wear your leopard skin thong.

 

[WAB]

I'll spread a zebra rug across it and you can wear your leopard skin thong.

I’ll pay you NOT to do that!

 

[Ridge Runner]

I think it is more likely that the old guard wants to compete with SCI for the same Southeast membership base.

I understand the move due to the overhaul of Kay Bailey's place, but I don't understand the conference they want to hold in the summer. That is right in the middle of the hunting season for the Africa outfitters.
It must be a watered down version? Maybe someone with insight can enlighten us as to the objective.

In a way,

IF....SCI & DSC were to combine in Nashville to take up a +/- week; I would consider visiting both conventions.

IF...SCI & DSC were to hold separate conventions; ie SCI in late January and DSC in mid March that would also be okay and I would most likely attend both.

HOWEVER, however, there is the Great American Outdoors Show in February in Harrisburg, PA; which is usually held around the last week of February.


This not only could for myself and many East of the Mississippi folks, but would create a "conflict of interest".

As for:
1. I do not have to be a member to attend. Thus I can save membership fees and

2. There is more to the Harrisburg Outdoors Show to see and to visit vendors, with greater opportunities to purchase relative "sporting/ outdoor/ shooting gear/ etc, and to visit with various "local"/US outfitters, as well as ZA, SA, NZ, & EU outfitters to gain information or plan a hunt with.

IMHO and perspective: Both SCI and DSC are (with uhmmm....maybe... with good intent, and come to realize that...) the Harrisburg Great American Outdoors Show has been a "perverbial monopoly".... and [SCI & DSC] want to break that " monopoly ", by catering to and gaining more nembers by actually "flip flopping " their respective convention site to cater to members and to gain new members and to retain members on both sides of the Mississippi.
___________________________________

I am in No way degrading SCI, DSC, HSC, NRA, etc, or any other local, state, national, or international organization that helps in the preservation of: hunting, hunters rights, promotes animal habit and conservation. IMO it takes ALL of these organizations assistance just to allow us hunters, and shooters/ gun owners to enjoy our passion(s).

Pardon my digression....

__________________________________

East of the Mississippi I would like to attend all three. If given a choice of going west of the Mississippi to an SCI and/or DSC, I'll save my money and attend The Great American Outdoors Show in Harrisburg.

 

[Dinsdale]

Harrisburg is always the first Saturday in Feb, and for the next 9 days through the following Sunday.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I’ll pay you NOT to do that!

I'll add $20 to the pot!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I don't think it's actually all that complicated in regards to DSC moving to Atlanta. They were forced, and I think much to their chagrin, to move due to KBH being torn down and rebuilt. I was not privy to the inside discussions nor have I heard any to know for sure.

What I do know is that DSC operates greatly with volunteers. There are very few paid employees. These volunteers do a FABULOUS job of getting the convention center set up, getting exhibitors in and just as importantly exhibitors out. And do so while expressing thanks to the exhibitors and making us feel valued and welcomed.

Now where do you think the vast majority of those volunteers call home? I would certainly think it would be Texas and the DFW area. It wouldn't surprise me if there are a few from close by states....OK, Louisiana, maybe Arkansas too.

So now what? This is going to be a pain in the butt for them to have it in Atlanta and I'm sure the decision was not made lightly giving the logistical challenges. But that's what was chosen and I can only imagine it was because it was the least painful of the various options.

 

[mdwest]

I don't think it's actually all that complicated in regards to DSC moving to Atlanta. They were forced, and I think much to their chagrin, to move due to KBH being torn down and rebuilt. I was not privy to the inside discussions nor have I heard any to know for sure.

What I do know is that DSC operates greatly with volunteers. There are very few paid employees. These volunteers do a FABULOUS job of getting the convention center set up, getting exhibitors in and just as importantly exhibitors out. And do so while expressing thanks to the exhibitors and making us feel valued and welcomed.

Now where do you think the vast majority of those volunteers call home? I would certainly think it would be Texas and the DFW area. It wouldn't surprise me if there are a few from close by states....OK, Louisiana, maybe Arkansas too.

So now what? This is going to be a pain in the butt for them to have it in Atlanta and I'm sure the decision was not made lightly giving the logistical challenges. But that's what was chosen and I can only imagine it was because it was the least painful of the various options.

I’m one of those volunteers… I work the show every year…

You’re spot on with the assessment.. the vast majority of volunteers are local, with a smattering of folks from other places/states mixed in…

I believe this will be a big challenge in ATL.. hopefully Corey and the rest of the leadership at DSC have a solid plan in place for overcoming it… most I believe will tell you the volunteer force and the overall “attitude” which translates into how participants attending the show “feel” is a big differentiator between DSC and SCI…

If the plan is to use contract labor like SCI does in light of not having enough volunteers (I can’t imagine ATL and the surrounding area is going to produce a couple of hundred volunteers.. and certainly won’t produce many experienced volunteers that have worked the show for several years and know how things work and what to do)… I think that will be both a cost detriment and a customer service detriment to DSC that could prove unhealthy for the organization in the future…

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I’m one of those volunteers… I work the show every year…

You’re spot on with the assessment.. the vast majority of volunteers are local, with a smattering of folks from other places/states mixed in…

I believe this will be a big challenge in ATL.. hopefully Corey and the rest of the leadership at DSC have a solid plan in place for overcoming it… most I believe will tell you the volunteer force and the overall “attitude” which translates into how participants attending the show “feel” is a big differentiator between DSC and SCI…

If the plan is to use contract labor like SCI does in light of not having enough volunteers (I can’t imagine ATL and the surrounding area is going to produce a couple of hundred volunteers.. and certainly won’t produce many experienced volunteers that have worked the show for several years and know how things work and what to do)… I think that will be both a cost detriment and a customer service detriment to DSC that could prove unhealthy for the organization in the future…

The folks working with move in/out is definitely a differentiator for the exhibitor. SCI is a great show and I won't run it down. But it is night and day in how things are run at the shows. DSC makes you feel much more welcomed and appreciated. In the end it all gets pulled off.

And yes I'd have to imagine if DSC will need to use contract labor, that will clearly be a cost detriment and may be reflected in ticket prices. But the show will make it back to Dallas, I'm certain it will survive.