What shows do most African Outfitters attend in the US?

FallowJaeger

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I know that the outdoor show season is over for the most part. I'd like to know what specific shows most African Safari Outfitters try to attend. I'd like to talk in person as I prepare and plan for a Safari in the future. What shows would other forum members recommend to a newbie to attended in order to speak to Safari outfitters. Any recommendations would be great.
 
The two largest shows are the DSC convention in Dallas, TX and SCI convention which returns to Reno, NV next year. To say that's where most African outfitters go is perhaps a bit strong, but they are the largest shows and so you'll likely see the most number of African outfitters possible.
 
I know that the outdoor show season is over for the most part. I'd like to know what specific shows most African Safari Outfitters try to attend. I'd like to talk in person as I prepare and plan for a Safari in the future. What shows would other forum members recommend to a newbie to attended in order to speak to Safari outfitters. Any recommendations would be great.

Thankyou Serapa Safaris for sharing. I know of those two major shows, guess I wanted to know if there are other shows that Safari outfitters go to besides those. I live in the Southeastern US and was looking to see if anyone visited closer than Nevada or Texas.
 
Sir,
Some of our sponsors attend shows all across the country. Very often the schedules are posted here in a thread announcing where they will attend. Some attend the smaller shows in markets you might not think about.
A good start for you would be to check with the closest SCI chapter. For instance I belong to the Kansas City Chapter and our recent show hosted about 20 outfitters. Not knowing where in the Southeast you are but Birmingham, Atlanta and Nashville might be in striking distance for you.
 
Thankyou Serapa Safaris for sharing. I know of those two major shows, guess I wanted to know if there are other shows that Safari outfitters go to besides those. I live in the Southeastern US and was looking to see if anyone visited closer than Nevada or Texas.

There at least used to be a show in Atlanta that a fair number of outfitters would go to. But as I recall it wasn't well regarded and I'm not even sure if they have it anymore.

There is a 10 day show in Harrisburg, PA that a number of outfitters go to. But a trip to PA may not be much further than a trip to Dallas.

After that there are any number of smaller shows all over the country. There is one here in Scottsdale starting today that I personally know at least one outfitter is attending. But this is very much smaller than DSC and SCI.
 
Other than DSC and SCI, consider the show in Denver and the Houston show.
 
If youre in the South East, the NWTF show in Nashville (Feb 2019) might be a good place to start.. I know at least a few African outfitters attend there, to include at least one AH sponsor..

Texas is where you'll have the most overall options though I believe.. youve got DSC, HSC, and multiple Texas Trophy Hunters Assn shows that happen throughout the year.. all of which have African outfitters present..
 
I like the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City. There were about 30 African outfitters there this year, we've attended the last 7-8 years and have booked two African trips there, one in Namibia and one in SA.
 
SCI is the biggest show, but you must be an SCI member to attended and its rather expensive to attend. The second largest is DSC, you do not need to be a member to attend, and its cheap to attend. The next DSC show is January 17-20, 2019.
 
Many show up at the Sportsman's Expo shows. That is where I meet the outfitter I have taken 2 trips to SA with. Some of the less publicized outfitters do not go to the SCI show and yet they may be excellent. Good outfitters also go to the SCI show so I am not knocking them.
 
I know that the outdoor show season is over for the most part. I'd like to know what specific shows most African Safari Outfitters try to attend. I'd like to talk in person as I prepare and plan for a Safari in the future. What shows would other forum members recommend to a newbie to attended in order to speak to Safari outfitters. Any recommendations would be great.

Alternatively, you could join us at the AH dinner in Dallas during the convention dates, and get to meet a few of the sponsors here.
 
Ive been to the Harrisburg PA show for the last 25 years. It is much bigger then the DSC show I went to in Jan of 2015. Not saying it’s better, as I enjoyed the DSC, just a lot more outfitters from all over Africa, US, Canada, etc. also many other exhibits such as archery, guns, fishing outfitters, etc. You honestly can’t see everything and talk to all the outfitters in one day.
 
Ive been to the Harrisburg PA show for the last 25 years. It is much bigger then the DSC show I went to in Jan of 2015. Not saying it’s better, as I enjoyed the DSC, just a lot more outfitters from all over Africa, US, Canada, etc. also many other exhibits such as archery, guns, fishing outfitters, etc. You honestly can’t see everything and talk to all the outfitters in one day.
I would also like to see the Harrisburg show sometime!!
 
Ive been to the Harrisburg PA show for the last 25 years. It is much bigger then the DSC show I went to in Jan of 2015. Not saying it’s better, as I enjoyed the DSC, just a lot more outfitters from all over Africa, US, Canada, etc. also many other exhibits such as archery, guns, fishing outfitters, etc. You honestly can’t see everything and talk to all the outfitters in one day.
I know Harrisburg’s is a big show but not sure it’s bigger than DSC.
 
I know Harrisburg’s is a big show but not sure it’s bigger than DSC.


Bigger square foot wise but a lot of it is because there is a lot of fishing and camping stuff. Now with the nra doing the show more guns also. It is a great show for outdoor stuff in general not as specialized as a dsc or sci event.
 
I swore off the Harrisburg show because of the mayor's anti-gun stance and what I felt was the deliberate mishandling of the traffic so as to discourage attendance. They actually set the left turn traffic light going to the main parking lot to only allow about five or six cars to make the light before it changed. Traffic would back up for five miles or so because of that light. Since the NRA has taken over, and despite the dustup with the SOB mayor, the traffic and show has improved tremendously. I went last year and was surprised at the number of African outfitters in attendance. I have to give the NRA credit. They took a mismanaged, totally fkd up show and made it worthwhile going again.

Ramble mode off, there were some good deals on African hunts to be had if one could commit at the show.
 
Bigger square foot wise but a lot of it is because there is a lot of fishing and camping stuff. Now with the nra doing the show more guns also. It is a great show for outdoor stuff in general not as specialized as a dsc or sci event.
That's one reason I like the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo as it almost all hunting related!
 
One upside to Harrisburg is it runs 10 days and 2 full weekends, can give many options on when to attend.

I've done the booth end and 9 days and set up, is a loooong time for an exhibitor!
Amen brother! 4 days is a long time working the booth.
 
One upside to Harrisburg is it runs 10 days and 2 full weekends, can give many options on when to attend.

I've done the booth end and 9 days and set up, is a loooong time for an exhibitor!

I haven't been there, but know them that have. It gets really long for them middle of the week when attendance is down and they're still paying for a hotel and food.
 

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