Dallas Safari Club Convention Summary

[Red Leg]

TTHA will likely be bigger but it will remain a smaller and more regional show. There is no intention for it to replace DSC.

Until it isn't and it does. Vendors will want to access the Dallas and greater Texas market. If they can't through DSC (think about that a moment), then they'll do it through TTHA. I know several vendors who had booths in both places this year.

And I am not going to Atlanta.

 

[wesheltonj]

No inside information, but if you look at the 990's of DSC, HSC and even SCI they are not actually flush with cash. I suspect, DSC will have to stay in Atlanta (for the big show) next year and maybe the next and next before they would have the free cash for a buyout and to find adequate space at the days desired.

I read elsewhere where DSC & HSC in October 2023, did talk joint convention and maybe more, but nothing happened.

 

[sureshot375]

Yep… got the same email…

Honestly, a price increase in Atlanta, and hitting up life members to give more money for a “new” status, smells of desperation to me… and tells me the organization isn’t really understanding the position it’s in

The decision to move out of Texas was questionable. In terms of not Texas places I think Atlanta has received a lot of unwarranted criticism.

A price increase for vendors??? That is completely tone deaf.

 

[Philip Glass]

Until it isn't and it does. Vendors will want to access the Dallas and greater Texas market. If they can't through DSC (think about that a moment), then they'll do it through TTHA. I know several vendors who had booths in both places this year.

And I am not going to Atlanta.

I also knew exhibitors at both shows this year. The ones at TTHA did better. What that means for next year I am not sure. Atlanta is finished. One and done!
We are anxiously waiting for the next DSC announcement.

 

[Philip Glass]

No inside information, but if you look at the 990's of DSC, HSC and even SCI they are not actually flush with cash. I suspect, DSC will have to stay in Atlanta (for the big show) next year and maybe the next and next before they would have the free cash for a buyout and to find adequate space at the days desired.

I read elsewhere where DSC & HSC in October 2023, did talk joint convention and maybe more, but nothing happened.

They are talking again now! It will not be in Atlanta again. The latest from the grapevine is San Antonio.

 

[Philip Glass]

I think you may have your info crossed. I sat and chatted for about an hour with 2 very well-known Zimbabwe outfitters. I was told that Dalton and York were banned from SCI because of a booth infraction last year. They allegedly sub leased a booth which is apparently against the rules. According to my source they are banned from even entering the SCI convention center. SCI has strict rules about "brief casing" and this runs afoul of those rules. Seems like a major penalty for a minor infraction. It could be that my sources had bad info, but they are generally credible and we were all sitting at the DSC convention so it seems unlikely.

Maybe someone with a direct D&Y contact could clarify.

D&Y did lose the booth they were sharing for this year. They are not banned from SCI and were in attendance in Nashville. I am sure they will be back soon!

 

[Philip Glass]

The email sent to exhibitors to renew their booth last week has a 2026 DSC Atlanta logo attached.

Wow!

 

[Philip Glass]

If DSC doesn’t listen to its exhibitors and stays in Atlanta next year, they risk a boycott. Maybe not all, but even a few would be devastating. Outfitters can’t afford another sale less convention!

It will be the nail in the coffin.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

It will be the nail in the coffin.

Not sure its logistically possible to be in a new venue by 2026. I would love to believe, but can't see it happening.

 

[Yukontom]

It will be the nail in the coffin.

Would also be interesting to hear how the merchandise vendors fared. Imagine trying to sell jewelry or decorator stuff in an empty hall.

 

[wesheltonj]

They are talking again now! It will not be in Atlanta again. The latest from the grapevine is San Antonio.

The latest gossip I heard was Houston 2028, until then Atlanta

 

[Yukontom]

The email sent to exhibitors to renew their booth last week has a 2026 DSC Atlanta logo attached.

And I wonder if this is a test to see what they get back in order to survive another year or two in Atlanta.

 

[mdwest]

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The latest gossip I heard was Houston [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]], until then Atlanta

I’ve heard the same..

That might be the best overall option for DSC… but, if it is, they may seriously want to think about upping their communication game, and really focus on getting the messaging right…

Neither vendors or attendees are going to want to hear that…

And a substandard 26&27 show in Atlanta will have long term negative impact that may not ever be recoverable..

 

[kscowboy01]

Coming from Kansas, DSC was easy. I’ve been doing it since I was 7 years old and this was the first I’ve ever missed in 34 years. Even if it’s moved to San Antonio or Houston, Nashville is approximately the same distance driving and the fiancé LOVES Nashville. We will be sitting out of DSC until it’s that easy 5.5 hour drive again. The appeal of Nashville is too good for us as a couple to not do it again next year.

 

[ActionBob]

If DSC does come to San Antonio we will need to see if @Just Gina is up for an AH get together at our place.

Is a good hour drive. Is that too far or would people come?

 

[ActionBob]

The latest gossip I heard was Houston 2028, until then Atlanta

Houston or San Antonio especially that time of year seem like the best options. I hope DSC can get it accomplished to move to one of them sooner than later. Or get back to Dallas.

 

[Russ16]

Would also be interesting to hear how the merchandise vendors fared. Imagine trying to sell jewelry or decorator stuff in an empty hall.

I wonder about the couple of vendors selling Texas ranch properties. Seems like there would be a much smaller audience for that in Atlanta compared to Dallas.

 

[Green Chile]

Yep… got the same email…

Honestly, a price increase in Atlanta, and hitting up life members to give more money for a “new” status, smells of desperation to me… and tells me the organization isn’t really understanding the position it’s in

I got the same email and was surprised (yet again) at how poor they are at communications and marketing. I mean they are so bad right now that it reminds me of the Nate Bargatze joke about how Chuck E. Cheese is trying to go out of business and can't. Well, DSC is showing everyone how to go out of business and now Chuck E. Cheese is taking notes.

 

[Philip Glass]

Not sure its logistically possible to be in a new venue by 2026. I would love to believe, but can't see it happening.

I know but another year in Atlanta? I don't see how that is possible either.

 

[ActionBob]

Was Atlanta so bad because it was Atlanta? Or was it the weather?

I'm sure both contributed but had the weather been good, would it at least have been an ok show?