Dallas Safari Club Convention Summary

[LimbNoMo]

I’ve had experiences similar to both what Safari Dave and 375 Fox have described at the shows. They both can be true.

I went to TTHA this year, but have been to DSC twice.

Most outfitters don’t engage show attendees. They’re PH’s, the lady that does the book-keeping, the wife. They’re not professional brand ambassadors or salespeople. They wait for you to talk to them. Quite a few this year are splitting their people between two shows and understaffed.

Once you’re talking to them, they have to qualify you as a potential client. Hunts take disposable income and nice clothing or like a gold Rolex helps do that. Their time at the show is finite and have to decide who gives the best ROI.

You mentioned Holland and Holland and I would assume that Guy from the Dallas showroom was with whom you spoke. My experience has been that he is the epitome of the professional salesperson.

You’re selling them on you becoming a client too.

 

[Jared640]

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp placed Ga under a State of Emergency from this past Thursday-this up coming Tuesday. This was a major factor.

 

[Daisy]

Again I find this very odd considering many outfitters are standing at their booths. There were also a number of AH sponsors with booths there. If you think you needed a Rolex. I think you created the situation in your mind. Your perception is very different than mine.

Seems like wearing a gold Rolex is a good way to get the price jacked up above normal.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Most outfitters don’t engage show attendees. They’re PH’s, the lady that does the book-keeping, the wife. They’re not professional brand ambassadors or salespeople. They wait for you to talk to them.

I’ve found this to be the case for me. Quite a few of the PHs that I hunt with are not comfortable in a sales situation. Not the type of personality you’d typically find manning a convention booth in a technical or service industry convention. A good number are quite shy, and are much more at home in the jess or in a safari camp. I try to cut them some slack regarding this, and often notice a look of relief as I introduce myself and engage them in conversation, essentially breaking the ice. Outfitters with an outgoing, never met a stranger attitude have a big advantage in this environment.

That said, I usually know who I’m gonna try to book a hunt with before I walk through the door.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

I’ve texted with a few PH friends of mine who confirmed bookings were way down at the show. They are pinning their hopes on Nashville. Based on a standard booking performance in Nashville I’m predicting some awesome deals after the show as they cannot make up for Atlantas poor performance. Up to you all but it might be worth the wait.

HH

 

[Doug3006]

I think you have your days a little wrong. Thursday was clear and Friday snowed/sleeted all day. I had a great time attending the show on Thursday because it was very empty, but I thought it was very concerning for outfitters. If anyone wanted chance really talk to outfitters and book a hunt Thursday was the day because you could spend all the time talking you’d like. I’m told Friday was a little busier even with the snow. I had my badge issued very quickly, maybe a minute.

I think it’s difficult to judge because of the severe weather. One PH told me on Friday they were unable to make it to show until 2 hours late because they couldn’t get an Uber but they had to get out and push the uber a few times at stops due to snow. I had planned to attend most of Friday too but changed my flight to try and avoid the weather and reach airport before roads possibly shut down. Ultimately with delays and cancellations it took me 27 hours to get home. Thousands of flights were cancelled Friday due to weather in Atlanta and elsewhere, so very unfortunate timing for the show.

You’re right! I did have my days mixed up. Thur was fine. Fri it snowed. Sat was fine. It was great on Fri for the intrepid attendees who could make it. The exhibitors were super attentive! I’m glad we drove. The roads were clear all the way from ATL to STL.

 

[Red Leg]

I’m headed back from Atlanta with @Jeff505 at the wheel and thought I’d share my opinions about the DSC convention. It was great to meet up with PHs I’d hunted with and talk to outfitters that I’ll hopefully hunt with in the future. Same as Dallas.

The downsides include:

1. The elephant in the room….the weather sucked! Nothing DSC could do about this, but it snowed then sleeted all day Saturday. As a result, attendance was minimal. I’m not exaggerating when I say the total was less than 1000. It was like having the place to ourselves. My PH friends say it wasn’t any better on Friday when the sun was shining.
2. Atlanta traffic did not disappoint…it was slow moving hell. It took 2 hours to drive the last 20 miles into downtown Atlanta via I75. Admittedly in the afternoon rush.
3. The folks working the ticket counter were clueless. It took the 3 of us 30 minutes to get our admission badges…and we were the only people in line! If they had the number of attendees as in Dallas, they’d have crashed and burned.
4. Based on talking with quite a number of exhibitors, DSC may have a rebellion on their hands. Everyone we talked to said that DSC made the decision without asking for any input. They all complained about the lack of promotion/ advertising. They all feel handcuffed because if they drop out until the event gets moved elsewhere, they’ll lose their their coveted booth locations for the future.

I wouldn’t say to avoid the show next year. The weather most likely won’t be a factor and DSC will learn and make adjustments in how they promote and administer the show. I will say to those who skipped this year….well played!

Your point four is exactly correct. No one brought up the weather, Dallas can be ugly as well, but we were stunned that the leadership seemed oblivious to Atlanta traffic concerns. The city makes Houston or Dallas look like exemplars of city planning.

Secondly, compared to SCI, their support planning seemed somewhat naïve. For years they depended on a firm foundation of very experienced volunteers working an environment they knew.

Apparently there was quite a bit of pushback from Houston and those who support the Houston show as using it as an alternative site. Austin, does not really have a venue large enough.

I do not know what sort of contract was signed with the Atlanta convention center.

And yes, spoke to and chatted with a number of friends, and to describe them as unhappy would be a huge understatement.

 

[Red Leg]

After going to the show on Thursday, I could see why exhibitors might be disappointed.

The attendance on Thursday was poor.

It may have been even worse Friday and Saturday, considering the weather.



IMO, Georgia (and most likely, other southern USA) hunters like more interaction with safari companies than was offered in Atlanta.

I am fairly experienced with African operations, compared to the average Georgia hunter, and I experienced less interaction with hunting operations at the DSC than I do at more localized events.

Oh, I could have worn my solid gold Rolex, but, I intentionally wore a Seiko.

Because, even the richest Georgia hunters that have class, don't flaunt affluence.

Most of the exhibitors didn't even get up from their chair, or acknowledge me when I was at their exhibit.

That tells me all I need to know...



I own a fishing outfitting operation.

If my service treated patrons of a convention the way I was treated at DSC, I wouldn't have booked anything with anyone.

It must be the look on your face. I have been attending DSC and SCI conventions for over two decades, usually in jeans, and have never had the experience you describe.

 

[pilar]

I’ve had experiences similar to both what Safari Dave and 375 Fox have described at the shows. They both can be true.

I went to TTHA this year, but have been to DSC twice.

Most outfitters don’t engage show attendees. They’re PH’s, the lady that does the book-keeping, the wife. They’re not professional brand ambassadors or salespeople. They wait for you to talk to them. Quite a few this year are splitting their people between two shows and understaffed.

Once you’re talking to them, they have to qualify you as a potential client. Hunts take disposable income and nice clothing or like a gold Rolex helps do that. Their time at the show is finite and have to decide who gives the best ROI.

You mentioned Holland and Holland and I would assume that Guy from the Dallas showroom was with whom you spoke. My experience has been that he is the epitome of the professional salesperson.

You’re selling them on you becoming a client too.

After spending 30+ years of my life sitting in Booth’s @ TTHA & Houstons Robby Miller hunting and fishing expo, I always broke up the clientele in to three groups, Friday afternoon where serious business people looking for a hunt for self, friends, clients, then wanting to get home for family time, Saturday was usually tire kickers and brochure collection guys, Sunday the deal seekers and guys from Friday coming to ask follow-up questions.
All this was dependent upon the weather/ pray for rain so folks who would normally be cutting grass, going fishing or doing kids sports will be able to come .
And never judge a book by its cover, not everyone is a hedge fund manager or oil company executive, tons of blue collar folks , plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors
Are the bread and butter of the industry.
It’s to bad the weather across the USA was bad enough to effect the DSC new venue
But everyone is now stacking shows in the same time period, sheep show , DSC , SCI/TTHA expo , so it’s now getting watered down by location of convenience.
I personally think Atlanta and Nashville are poor places to hold the events if you are a shopper over a vendor

 

[wesheltonj]

Your point four is exactly correct. No one brought up the weather, Dallas can be ugly as well, but we were stunned that the leadership seemed oblivious to Atlanta traffic concerns. The city makes Houston or Dallas look like exemplars of city planning.

Secondly, compared to SCI, their support planning seemed somewhat naïve. For years they depended on a firm foundation of very experienced volunteers working an environment they knew.

Apparently there was quite a bit of pushback from Houston and those who support the Houston show as using it as an alternative site. Austin, does not really have a venue large enough.

I do not know what sort of contract was signed with the Atlanta convention center.

And yes, spoke to and chatted with a number of friends, and to describe them as unhappy would be a huge understatement.

Austin airport has the flights, BA, Lufthansa & KLM, plus a large number of AA and DL flights. But their convention center is too small. San Antonio has the convention space, but no foreign carrier flights.

There was a rumor at DSC that they were going to back out of Atlanta and move to San Antonio. That would be a 5 Million hit from what I understand. However, they made an announcement that they would be see everyone in Atlanta next year.

Someone a DSC, needs to tell the truth about KBH convention center and the Atlanta move because it’s not being “torn down.” TTHA announced they are there for the next five years and they used all the space except floor F that DSC uses.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Because, even the richest Georgia hunters that have class, don't flaunt affluence.

Most of the exhibitors didn't even get up from their chair, or acknowledge me when I was at their exhibit.

It must be the look on your face. I have been attending DSC and SCI conventions for over two decades, usually in jeans, and have never had the experience you describe.

I am with @Red Leg on this one.
I am certainly not a well healed mega-millionaire. Rather, Pennsylvania stump jumper (hillbilly twice removed) farm boy brought to you by an enlisted to officer career in the US Marines followed by a middle class second career.

Notice my watch in the photo of me sighting in on building rafters for safety with a new MRC .375 H&H? It’s a four-year-old Garmin that monitors my heartrate, steps, floors climbed, sleep quality, and has GPS mapping capability and a hundred other functions. Cost was $600 when new. Trust me, I do not own a higher cost watch.

Being a typical rather blunt US Marine in a retired duty status (Yes, Good night Chesty…) everyone was still very nice to me. They were nice to my wife also.

Heck, we or mostly she was looking at $30,000 saphire ear rings and gosh knows how much the other things she tried on were. A nice jewler from South Dakota gave her as much attention as she would anyone. Same for another jewler who in a quite conversation told me that some guys would shop with with wives just as I was with my wife and end up “dropping” two to three hunderd thousand (dollars). The key to this was these are good people, the jewlers, and they never know if a farm boy Marine like me had just won the lottery!

To the above Richard of @W.J.JEFFERY & CO. was please to allow me to handle their $80,000 .404 rifle.

Same for Diggory Hadoke at Westley Richards who handed me a slightly used droplock double rifle priced at an even $100,000. I was needless to say “careful” handling with this and other rifles that I may never be able to afford!

As for outfitters, I had great conversations with both Dalton and York and their PH assigned to guide me named Johnny. I also very much enjoyed conversing with Buzz Charlton and Miles McCallum of CMS. I talked to a few other outfitters briefly but mostly I was in deep conversations with all the rifle and optics vendors. I handled high end Rigbys and other rifles. Matthew of MNR and I conversed for a half hour or more about the advandages and other aspects of various actions. Tony of Heym USA and I had a couple of long talks while Chris of Heym was measuring a couple gentlemen for presumably new Heym double rifles. I also gathered more information about Leupold, Aipoint, and Trijicon products. All in all, no one was uppity toward me. I had a great time at a relatively empty convention.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve had experiences similar to both what Safari Dave and 375 Fox have described at the shows. They both can be true.

I went to TTHA this year, but have been to DSC twice.

Most outfitters don’t engage show attendees. They’re PH’s, the lady that does the book-keeping, the wife. They’re not professional brand ambassadors or salespeople. They wait for you to talk to them. Quite a few this year are splitting their people between two shows and understaffed.

Once you’re talking to them, they have to qualify you as a potential client. Hunts take disposable income and nice clothing or like a gold Rolex helps do that. Their time at the show is finite and have to decide who gives the best ROI.

You mentioned Holland and Holland and I would assume that Guy from the Dallas showroom was with whom you spoke. My experience has been that he is the epitome of the professional salesperson.

You’re selling them on you becoming a client too.

I agree with a lot of what you’ve said, especially on selling yourself as a client. I don’t think everyone realizes that. That said showing you’ve done some research about them and their hunts goes a long way. Wearing a Rolex isn’t going to help or hurt your case to any quality outfitter. It’s how you present yourself. I can tell a difference when I approach a booth I’m seriously interested in vs one I might be interested in at later date. I would guess it’s because I approach them very differently and ask different questions.