Dallas Safari Club Convention Summary

[wesheltonj]

It’s really bizarre that people would say that. There are a certain element of people who feel uncomfortable anytime there are black people around.

I lived in Atlanta much of my adult life. I was downtown daily for many years. Atlanta has bad parts like any other major city, but honestly many of those neighborhoods have been gentrified. Places you would not dare set foot 20 years ago are now filled with yuppies and upper middle class families.

Approximately 3 million people a year visit the Aquarium which is basically across the street from the convention center. When you add in Mercedes Benz Stadium, Phillips arena, the World of a coke, the Capital, Georgia State University and centennial park, you are talking about many millions of people visiting downtown Atlanta every year. This would not happen if it were unsafe for visitors and families to be in that area.

For me it’s not the people. When I was practicing law I had a client that once or twice a year I would have to see in Marietta. The ATL airport is great if you are changing planes. Getting a rental car and driving is another story. If I HAD to go on business, sure I would go back, but for a pleasure trip not a chance.

 

[mdwest]

It’s really bizarre that people would say that. There are a certain element of people who feel uncomfortable anytime there are black people around.

I lived in Atlanta much of my adult life. I was downtown daily for many years. Atlanta has bad parts like any other major city, but honestly many of those neighborhoods have been gentrified. Places you would not dare set foot 20 years ago are now filled with yuppies and upper middle class families.

Approximately 3 million people a year visit the Aquarium which is basically across the street from the convention center. When you add in Mercedes Benz Stadium, Phillips arena, the World of a coke, the Capital, Georgia State University and centennial park, you are talking about many millions of people visiting downtown Atlanta every year. This would not happen if it were unsafe for visitors and families to be in that area.

A lot of it is tied to what you’re conditioned to…

Like I said in an earlier post, I grew up in Memphis… a city well known for its violent crime rate (much worse than Atlanta), gang activity, etc…

But… having lived there for most of the first 30+ years of my life, having worked the streets there as a cop for a while, etc.. and continuing to frequent there for the other 25+ years that I haven’t lived there (both my wife and I still have family there), I’m 100% comfortable pretty much everywhere I go…

People not from Memphis on the other hand aren’t typically nearly as relaxed when they are wandering around town..

I know what’s safe, and what’s not… what looks like a threat to others, I know is innocent… and what others might not detect as a threat at all, I know is a danger..

It’s my home turf…

I’m sure it’s similar for you in some ways in Atlanta…

You know where the great soul food restaurant in town is that welcomes anyone that walks through the door… while at the same time know what neighborhoods to stay out of at 2am…

Guys coming from other parts of the country don’t have that same knowledge or comfort level… and really only have things like watching shit they see on Cops (which for the longest time only seemed to be filmed in Memphis and Atlanta lol)… the antics of well known Atlantans like Fani Willis or Stacey Abrams, etc to go on (none of which speaks well for ATL)…

That’s certainly not everything that represents Atlanta… I’ve personally had a ball in Buckhead and the Underground more times than I can count back in the early 90’s when I was living in Columbus, GA for a brief while..

But it’s all most know…

So when they show up for DSC and there is a pack of thuggish dressed dudes wandering around the world congress center… what else are they going to think?

 

[Doug3006]

In my opinion, the DALLAS Safari Club needs to be held in Texas. If the KBH Center had actually been unavailable, which was fake news, then a suitable site in San Antonio or Houston would have been the next best thing. Atlanta was a poor choice. Too far from DSCs base of operations and the bulk of their members, who are in Texas. The lack of experienced volunteers, who make the show so successful, was noticeable.

If they had to move it out of Texas, what do you think about Orlando? Lots of large conventions are held there. The airport has international connections. The weather is better. I know this is revisionist history but surely there were better options.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

There are a certain element of people who feel uncomfortable anytime there are black people around.

Wow… lol! I don’t necessarily disagree with anything else you said but dang haha.

 

[sureshot375]

For me it’s not the people. When I was practicing law I had a client that once or twice a year I would have to see in Marietta. The ATL airport is great if you are changing planes. Getting a rental car and driving is another story. If I HAD to go on business, sure I would go back, but for a pleasure trip not a chance.

I agree with you that going to Atlanta for work is no fun. I still takes cases up there on the regular.

But since I’ve moved away, the occasional weekend in the city with the wife at a nice hotel, eating a good restaurants, and catching a concert is a good time.

But then those weekends turned into 2 little boys. So now we don’t do any of that stuff. Lol.

 

[pilar]

In my opinion, the DALLAS Safari Club needs to be held in Texas. If the KBH Center had actually been unavailable, which was fake news, then a suitable site in San Antonio or Houston would have been the next best thing. Atlanta was a poor choice. Too far from DSCs base of operations and the bulk of their members, who are in Texas. The lack of experienced volunteers, who make the show so successful, was noticeable.

If they had to move it out of Texas, what do you think about Orlando? Lots of large conventions are held there. The airport has international connections. The weather is better. I know this is revisionist history but surely there were better options.

I agree on it being in Texas , and indeed the the support system and fan base is here
To me Dallas is just as terrible a place and cruddy city as Atlanta, with Dallas only winning because I don’t want to spend my money in a place like Atlanta and paying for airfare to go there !
TTHA & Sheep Show will be where it’s at for my group till DSC gets back on its feet and gets its act together for a couple of years with vendors

 

[sureshot375]

Wow… lol! I don’t necessarily disagree with anything else you said but dang haha.

Also, want to clarify I was talking about these random unknown people who says it’s not safe for white people in Atlanta. I was not referring to Mr. Glass who is an absolute gentleman and who has earned my utmost respect from our limited interactions.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Also, want to clarify I was talking about these random unknown people who says it’s not safe for white people in Atlanta. I was not referring to Mr. Glass who is an absolute gentleman and who has earned my utmost respect from our limited interactions.

You referring to the random people who live there and work as Ubers driver telling out of towners that its not safe?
I don't think I had a Caucasian driver once, so Im interested who these people are that you are referring to.

 

[sureshot375]

You referring to the random people who live there and work as Ubers driver telling out of towners that its not safe?

Yeah. I mean honestly I find that hard to believe. In the hundreds of Uber rides over the years, nobody ever thought to tell me it wasn’t safe for white people.

There is a basic absurdity about the whole thing.

You also don’t really seem to know when to quit. You made some really dumb and low key racist comments, but seem to lack the experience and perspective to know when to stop.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Yeah. I mean honestly I find that hard to believe. In the hundreds of Uber rides over the years, nobody ever thought to tell me it wasn’t safe for white people.

There is a basic absurdity about the whole thing.

You also don’t really seem to know when to quit. You made some really dumb and low key racist comments, but seem to lack the experience and perspective to know when to stop.

Well, when I get falsely accused, then I wont let it go.
Please show me this racist comment that I made.

When Im wrong, I man up and apologize.
That is the difference between you and me.

 

[sureshot375]

My reference was aimed at the specific area and demographics where the show was held. We had to leave three places while trying to find something to eat because we were the only minority inside that place and I could feel that we were not welcome. Couple of comments thrown our way as well.
I was certainly not referring to all residents of Atlanta and you should know that and should have taken the comment for what it was, but if misunderstanding the comment offended you, then there is really nothing I can do.

Let me make sure I understand. You hold yourself out as capable of hosting foreigners in Africa, but couldn’t manage eating in a restaurant where there weren’t other white people?

Next time you find yourself in a restaurant without other white people, you are probably in for some really good food. Maybe try asking what’s good on the menu.

I don’t know where you ended up, and there are some bad areas around, but this story is just kind of ridiculous. This story really makes you look silly.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Let me make sure I understand. You hold yourself out as capable of hosting foreigners in Africa, but couldn’t manage eating in a restaurant where there weren’t other white people?

Next time you find yourself in a restaurant without other white people, you are probably in for some really good food. Maybe try asking what’s good on the menu.

I don’t know where you ended up, and there are some bad areas around, but this story is just kind of ridiculous. This story really makes you look silly.

As a host, I simply don't take our guests to these types of areas.
Would you like me to ask the Americans that was with us to come on here and vouch for us all leaving the one take out place due to not feeling safe? How about the Canadian that was with us?
We had some good meals, supported the Atlanta Breakfast Club for 6 breakfasts.
Almost knew us by name by the time came for us to leave.
Ted's Montana Grill was superb. Ate there twice. The reality is that there are many unsafe areas in downtown Atlanta. Something I never felt in Downtown Dallas.
How about the direct comments made at me and my Professional Hunter that we were looking for trouble being in a specific area. This was day time. Comments directed at us, not in a manner to warn us.

I take false accusations very seriously @sureshot375 Especially when my integrity comes into question.
You have chosen this route.

 

[sureshot375]

As a host, I simply don't take our guests to these types of areas.
Would you like me to ask the Americans that was with us to come on here and vouch for us all leaving the one take out place due to not feeling safe? How about the Canadian that was with us?
We had some good meals, supported the Atlanta Breakfast Club for 6 breakfasts.
Almost knew us by name by the time came for us to leave.
Ted's Montana Grill was superb. Ate there twice. The reality is that there are many unsafe areas in downtown Atlanta. Something I never felt in Downtown Dallas.
How about the direct comments made at me and my Professional Hunter that we were looking for trouble being in a specific area. This was day time. Comments directed at us, not in a manner to warn us.

I take false accusations very seriously @sureshot375 Especially when my integrity comes into question.
You have chosen this route.

I have chosen this route? What exactly does that mean? Is that some kind of threat?

I don’t doubt that you left somewhere because you were uncomfortable. I’m simply saying I find it hard to believe that your concerns were reasonable. Being in a city, any city, requires a bit of common sense. In 30 years or so of being in Atlanta on a regular basis, and on occasion being the only white person in a place, I have never heard of such a thing as what you have described.

I stand by my previous statements that your gangbangers comment was simply ignorant.

 

[sureshot375]

Well, when I get falsely accused, then I wont let it go.
Please show me this racist comment that I made.

When Im wrong, I man up and apologize.
That is the difference between you and me.

You literally told a story about having to leave restaurants because the other people there weren’t the same color as you which made you feel unsafe.

 

[MontanaPat]

Well I just received the Mar/April issue of Sports Afield and on page 37 is a full page DSC ad and on the bottom of the page it says “Mark your calendars! DSC 2026 Convention / Atlanta Georgia / Jan 8-11. So guess that makes it official, it will be back in Atlanta in 2026

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I have chosen this route? What exactly does that mean? Is that some kind of threat?

I don't make threats. You chose the route of false accusations. Taking a comment at face value and making it into something that its really not.

All the best to you sir.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Well I just received the Mar/April issue of Sports Afield and on page [emoji[emoji6]] is a full page DSC ad and on the bottom of the page it says “Mark your calendars! DSC [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji6] Convention / Atlanta Georgia / Jan [emoji[emoji6]]-

As I mentioned, I don't think it will be logistically possible for them to move it immediately. It is simply too big of an undertaking. If anything happens, it will be in 2027.
Too many pieces that need to come together.

I think what is more concerning is most are saying the same thing, but not many are coming up with a real solution. San Antonio is being mentioned but past that, there really doesn't seem to be many other options. Every other option mentioned, seems to come with its own set of problems.
Some said Vegas, but then also heard that Vegas could be too distracting. ( The idea is to have people focus on the show and not get swept up in , well, Vegas which is also understandable.) This made a lot of sense to me. Orlando was mentioned, but doesn't seem to get the stamp of approval as much as SA gets.