First hunting show DSC

Pulled the trigger and will be attending the DSC convention this year. I will be there Friday and Saturday. Any pointers to get the most out of the show, any pre planning that I need to do? other than roaming around and seeing what peaks my interest.
Thank you

Enjoy and let's pray the Board has straightened out the mess they created last year. And the weather
cooperates. It has always been a great show. But the Boards decision to take Dallas Safari Club out of Dallas may prove to be the nail in the coffin! Otherwise, they can just have it as the Atlanta Safari Club!
I'll be there as always just to support the vendors and the many volunteers who have in the past made it a premier hunting organization.

Go to the DSC website and find the floor plan with list of exhibitors. Make a list of who you’d possibly like to talk with and their booth numbers. I find if you just go as a tourist you won’t get as much out of it. You need to know who you’d like to talk with. You’ll often need to say “excuse me I’d like to talk, I’ll take a seat” and wait while they finish with other potential or past clients. I’ve had to circle back to some booths multiple times to get a chance to talk.

Surgeon1 said:

Enjoy and let's pray the Board has straightened out the mess they created last year. And the weather
cooperates. It has always been a great show. But the Boards decision to take Dallas Safari Club out of Dallas may prove to be the nail in the coffin! Otherwise, they can just have it as the Atlanta Safari Club!
I'll be there as always just to support the vendors and the many volunteers who have in the past made it a

Click to expand...

Surgeon1 said:

Enjoy and let's pray the Board has straightened out the mess they created last year. And the weather
cooperates. It has always been a great show. But the Boards decision to take Dallas Safari Club out of Dallas may prove to be the nail in the coffin! Otherwise, they can just have it as the Atlanta Safari Club!
I'll be there as always just to support the vendors and the many volunteers who have in the past made it a premier hunting organization.

Click to expand...

I wish it was in Dallas I would have drove there, had to burn some flight miles that I could have used on a hunting trip.

I usually start with a list of animals or a place I want to go. Look over the exhibitor list and see if any look like a match. When I get there I usually walk all the aisles first and make notes on who I want to talk to, then start spending time in the booths. Sometimes I hear what they are discussing with other visitors and can decide from that if I want more information. That's usually my first day. That evening I'm checking references on outfitters that make the cut. The second day is for nailing down details and putting down a deposit. Then I shop for the small take-home items. This forum has a great list of "better" questions to ask an outfitter especially if you are new to this. Good luck, maybe we will see you at the dinner?

Download the app. It has a great floor plan and exhibitor list. Go through ahead of time and save some favorites you want to visit.

The bigger names will get mobbed so visit them early in the morning before the show is crowded.

Leave some time to wander around. You find things you want to hunt that you might have never thought of.

I too plan to attend the show for the first time as well. I live about two hours from Atlanta so I'm actually glad it's in Atlanta or I probably would not be able to attend for many more years.

D-Orcutt said:

Pulled the trigger and will be attending the DSC convention this year. I will be there Friday and Saturday. Any pointers to get the most out of the show, any pre planning that I need to do? other than roaming around and seeing what peaks my interest.
Thank you

Click to expand...

1. As mentioned, go to the DSC website to get the floor map and see the exhibitor list. Here's the link: https://s36.a2zinc.net/clients/dsc/dsc2026/Public/EventMap.aspx Click on the Exhibitor List button in the upper left to see the full list and booth numbers.

2. As mentioned again, download the DSC convention app to your phone.

3. If you're attending with the intention of booking a hunt, then make a plan for who you wish to visit that will provide the hunt you're looking for. Identify via the floor map where the booths are so you don't go criss-crossing the convention floor. This will save time that will go by quickly and also your feet.

4. If you're attending more to get information for a hunt further down the road or kind of just to see what this is all about, you then don't really need a plan. But you will still be pressed to see all there is to see, especially if you plan to attend any seminars or auctions. So you need to watch how much time you spend at any given booth.

5. Have fun! After all, that's what it's all about.

K-man said:

I usually start with a list of animals or a place I want to go. Look over the exhibitor list and see if any look like a match. When I get there I usually walk all the aisles first and make notes on who I want to talk to, then start spending time in the booths. Sometimes I hear what they are discussing with other visitors and can decide from that if I want more information. That's usually my first day. That evening I'm checking references on outfitters that make the cut. The second day is for nailing down details and putting down a deposit. Then I shop for the small take-home items. This forum has a great list of "better" questions to ask an outfitter especially if you are new to this. Good luck, maybe we will see you at the dinner?

Click to expand...

I was looking at the AH dinner, do I need to reserve a spot or is it just show up this year?

Russ16 said:

Download the app. It has a great floor plan and exhibitor list. Go through ahead of time and save some favorites you want to visit.

The bigger names will get mobbed so visit them early in the morning before the show is crowded.

Leave some time to wander around. You find things you want to hunt that you might have never thought of.

Click to expand...

Thank you, I’m always down to hunt something new

D-Orcutt said:

I was looking at the AH dinner, do I need to reserve a spot or is it just show up this year?

Click to expand...

Go to the thread - ah dinners at dsc and Sci - and open it. Just tell them you are coming. Just to make sure they have plenty of room. Looking forward to it!

Since you're hitting Friday Feb 6 and Saturday Feb 7, here's a casual, real world rundown from attendees AfricaHunting, forums, past recaps on maximizing it as a first timer:
Register now for your badge tickets via the official site biggame.org convention lines can drag if not pre done, even if smaller crowds this year.
Book your hotel ASAP through DSC's official block for discounted rates and easy access GWCC area gets packed.
Download print the event map schedule from the site check exhibitor list for outfitters gear you're eyeing Africa, North America, taxidermy, rifles, optics.
Set aside cash credit auctions, raffles like the new Big Draw Party Sat afternoon for hunt prizes, and impulse buys add up quick.
On-site tips for Friday & Saturday
Friday: Expo opens 10 AM–6 PM start early to hit key booths before crowds. Evening: Check the Education Night Banquet & Auction 6-11 PM for networking, speakers, food, and big bids if you're into it.
Saturday Expo 10 AM–6 PM prime time for outfitters many PHs around for chats. Hit the Ladies’ Luncheon if relevant, then the inaugural Big Draw Party 3:30–5 PM for fun hunt giveaways. Advocacy Night Banquet if you stay late.
Walk the floor systematically use the map, talk to outfitters casually ask about hunts, areas, costs, but don't book on impulse; take cards, research later forums like AfricaHunting for reviews.
Wear comfy shoes huge venue, tons of walking.
Network chat with folks at booths, seminars if any; it's where real connections happen.
Hydrate eat food options inside, but banquets are elevated if you splurg

Normally, I would shop what I was looking for on Thursday (very small crowd and lots of time to talk) and sightseeing on Friday and talk with any I missed on Thursday.

However, in Atlanta with no Thursday, I would shop on Friday and sightsee Saturday. I am hopeful there is a huge crowd in Atlanta, as I really don’t want to see DSC fail. But not sure current leadership can prevent that from occurring.

Won't be exhibiting at DSC this year. Took the hiatus year for 2026, so have to be back in 2027 in order to keep our booth. Hopefully they can steer the ship around by then.

I went last year the show was awesome but no one came to it .I went the first day I dont think 100 people came then it snowed shut it down .I am going this year .It was too much to see in just one day .I am trying to get my brother and nephew to go .