SCI Convention 2026 - Who Is Joining Me?

[Philip Glass]

My wife and myself will be there Thurs-Sat at the show and AH dinner Fri, but not attending any of the SCI nights events as I find the tickets prices a little crazy considering I won't be bidding on any of the auction items. $250-$500 per person per night on top of all the other expenses involved in getting there. I'm a budget African hunter

Maybe sell some bobcat skins to pay for tickets?

 

[Russ16]

My wife and myself will be there Thurs-Sat at the show and AH dinner Fri, but not attending any of the SCI nights events as I find the tickets prices a little crazy considering I won't be bidding on any of the auction items. $250-$500 per person per night on top of all the other expenses involved in getting there. I'm a budget African hunter

I’m with you there. And last thing I want to do is get dressed up for banquet dinner. I do that enough for work. I’m not paying a bunch of money to have a mediocre meal and I’m not into music so the concert stuff doesn’t interest me.

There is a great sushi place walking distance to the convention center that’s a good spot for dinner with some good friends.

 

[buck wild]

Maybe sell some bobcat skins to pay for tickets?

 

[Wiley64]

so if i get an SCI life membership that covers my floor entry? really want to make the AH dinner this year if possible. What are the best days to attend, and does the SCI show have more to offer than DSC? the floor map appears that way.

 

[Anbessa Gedai]

Looking forward to the upcoming 2026 SCI Convention along with the numerous events.

All veterans of any service and any country, please attend the complimentary SCI Veterans Breakfast at the Omni on Saturday morning. I believe immediate family members can also attend.

Safe travels and happy hunting to all, TheGrayRider a.k.a Tom.

Thanks GrayRider . . good point!

I can add that the Veteran's Breakfast fills up fast, so don't delay in signing up.
Veterans are free, and if memory serves non-veterans $60. Watch carefully for the "attend veterans breakfast" option when purchasing the show admission tickets on-line. Make that selection and when you obtain your admission badge at the show, it will include the vet' breakfast admission ticket.
As the breakfast is usually "sold out", there is no guarantee that you can just "walk-in" on Saturday morning.

 

[mdwest]

I’m with you there. And last thing I want to do is get dressed up for banquet dinner. I do that enough for work. I’m not paying a bunch of money to have a mediocre meal and I’m not into music so the concert stuff doesn’t interest me.

There is a great sushi place walking distance to the convention center that’s a good spot for dinner with some good friends.

The first few years we attended conventions we attended banquets almost every night…

At this point we haven’t attended a banquet in years…

We bid on auction hunts, but do it online rather than in person… and we much prefer doing the smaller, more private events with other hunting/outdoors organizations, the AH dinners, outfitter gatherings, etc..

We generally have something going on every night of every convention we attend… but it’s never rubber chicken dinner banquets anymore..

 

[Wildwillalaska]

so if i get an SCI life membership that covers my floor entry? really want to make the AH dinner this year if possible. What are the best days to attend, and does the SCI show have more to offer than DSC? the floor map appears that way.

Where did I miss this? May have messed up if that’s accurate since I both upgraded to Life and bought a 4-day pass.

 

[farmer_john]

Where did I miss this? May have messed up if that’s accurate since I both upgraded to Life and bought a 4-day pass.

You get a free ticket for 4 days for 2 people
For the floor other stuffs an upgrade cost

 

[Rare Breed]

The first few years we attended conventions we attended banquets almost every night…

At this point we haven’t attended a banquet in years…

We bid on auction hunts, but do it online rather than in person… and we much prefer doing the smaller, more private events with other hunting/outdoors organizations, the AH dinners, outfitter gatherings, etc..

We generally have something going on every night of every convention we attend… but it’s never rubber chicken dinner banquets anymore..

I don’t care for them either but I will say they are well done

 

[Flipper Dude]

Does the Thursday Night at the Ryman include dinner or just cocktails and munchies ?

 

[Hedge774]

Let's see how close I get to the menu:
Chicken "marsala"
Green beans with almonds
Baby new potatoes
Lettuce with basalmic vinegrette
Don't forget the brownie type thing for desert.
All we need is some spreadsheets and PowerPoint and I'm right at home!

 

[Hedge774]

The first few years we attended conventions we attended banquets almost every night…

At this point we haven’t attended a banquet in years…

We bid on auction hunts, but do it online rather than in person… and we much prefer doing the smaller, more private events with other hunting/outdoors organizations, the AH dinners, outfitter gatherings, etc..

We generally have something going on every night of every convention we attend… but it’s never rubber chicken dinner banquets anymore..

I'd really like to bid on some auction hunts, but I know what kind of money will be walking around that place...

 

[Russ16]

Let's see how close I get to the menu:
Chicken "marsala"
Green beans with almonds
Baby new potatoes
Lettuce with basalmic vinegrette
Don't forget the brownie type thing for desert.
All we need is some spreadsheets and PowerPoint and I'm right at home!

Don’t forget the preset salad with a vinaigrette.

 

[Hedge774]

Oh, I put it on my list. The "lettuce" part...

 

[mdwest]

I'd really like to bid on some auction hunts, but I know what kind of money will be walking around that place...

Don’t let that stop you.

Pick a handful of hunts… intentionally try to pick things you’d like to do but you think will likely draw a low level of attention… set a low “max” that you’re willing to bid, and be prepared to walk away if it goes above your max and then move on to the next hunt on your list..

I won a very nice hunt in Ireland a few years back for $1200… I’ve won two different Argentina hunts for less than $2000… I won a New Zealand hunt for less than $2000, we won a duck hunt in Peru for $900… etc etc…

Granted I typically “upgrade” once I’m hunting and add animals, switch animals, etc and try to give the outfitter a little value in the process..

But generally speaking my wife and I win a hunt every year.. and we typically pay less than 1/2 the actual retail value (hunts are often presented with inflated values at auctions so it’s important to know the real value as opposed to the stated value)…

If you chase hunts in Africa at auctions it can be hard to land a bargain…

But if you’re willing to step off the beaten path a little.. it’s honestly not that hard to land a great deal..

 

[Hedge774]

Don’t let that stop you.

Pick a handful of hunts… intentionally try to pick things you’d like to do but you think will likely draw a low level of attention… set a low “max” that you’re willing to bid, and be prepared to walk away if it goes above your max and then move on to the next hunt on your list..

I won a very nice hunt in Ireland a few years back for $1200… I’ve won two different Argentina hunts for less than $2000… I won a New Zealand hunt for less than $2000, we won a duck hunt in Peru for $900… etc etc…

Granted I typically “upgrade” once I’m hunting and add animals, switch animals, etc and try to give the outfitter a little value in the process..

But generally speaking my wife and I win a hunt every year.. and we typically pay less than 1/2 the actual retail value (hunts are often presented with inflated values at auctions so it’s important to know the real value as opposed to the stated value)…

If you chase hunts in Africa at auctions it can be hard to land a bargain…

But if you’re willing to step off the beaten path a little.. it’s honestly not that hard to land a great deal..

Thank you, Sir! I will do just that. Pulling out the catalog now.

 

[WAB]

The first few years we attended conventions we attended banquets almost every night…

At this point we haven’t attended a banquet in years…

We bid on auction hunts, but do it online rather than in person… and we much prefer doing the smaller, more private events with other hunting/outdoors organizations, the AH dinners, outfitter gatherings, etc..

We generally have something going on every night of every convention we attend… but it’s never rubber chicken dinner banquets anymore..

Agreed. We like fine food and fine wine, neither of which are offered at these dinners. Small group events are much more to our liking.

 

[farmer_john]

Agreed. We like fine food and fine wine, neither of which are offered at these dinners. Small group events are much more to our liking.

What usually is around ? This will be my first year attending

 

[mdwest]

What usually is around ? This will be my first year attending

Don’t miss the AH dinner… it’s always fun.. and it’s cool to actually meet a bunch of active members, put faces to usernames and get to know their real personalities, etc..

Also check in with outfitters that are sponsors here that will be at whichever convention(s) you’re going to.. some of them will be doing “house parties” or will have hospitality rooms and will invite potential clients to attend and get to know them a bit better, etc..

If you happen to be coming to TTHA, we’re hosting a party on Saturday at our home… it’s looking like we’ll have 45-50 people this year and several vendors from the show are coming as well… you’re more than welcome to join us..

 

[farmer_john]

Don’t miss the AH dinner… it’s always fun.. and it’s cool to actually meet a bunch of active members, put faces to usernames and get to know their real personalities, etc..

Also check in with outfitters that are sponsors here that will be at whichever convention(s) you’re going to.. some of them will be doing “house parties” or will have hospitality rooms and will invite potential clients to attend and get to know them a bit better, etc..

If you happen to be coming to TTHA, we’re hosting a party on Saturday at our home… it’s looking like we’ll have 45-50 people this year and several vendors from the show are coming as well… you’re more than welcome to join us..

TTHA?