SCI Convention First Timers Guide

[coreydb]

Give yourself time to walk and talk. There are so many small vendors with great opportunities that get masked by the big vendors. You'll find yourself going around numerous times discovering vendors you overlooked earlier. They are all good!......and the specials!

 

[Art Lambart II]

Get the two-day pass and download the app on your phone. Stop by the SCI table in the main hallway to get your free gift for downloading the app. I use the app to identify all the AH sponsors who have booths at the show, then I visit each one of them to make that personal connection and decide if they are a good fit for my next safari. If you want to buy a three-year membership the convention is the place to do it, for the last several years SCI has offered Kuiu gear as an incentive to buy a three-year membership, if you buy it at the convention you walk away from the counter with your new Kuiu gear. If you are a reloader you first stop must be the Swift booth they have bullets on hand to sell for all your PG and DG needs. Your second stop is the Barnes booth for the same reason they have bullets on hand ready to sell. If you need optics of any kind buy them at the convention, you can compare brands side by side and the show specials are better than their normal pricing.

The only other must do event at the SCI convention is the AH get together on Friday night. It’s a great chance to meet your fellow AH members, to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Several of the outfitters attend this event and it’s a great opportunity to get to know them on a personal level.

I look forward to meeting you at the AH get together.

P.S. If your bring your wife to the convention be afraid be very afraid, there are lots of booth that cater to the ladies.

 

[Fixfire]

P.S. If your bring your wife to the convention be afraid be very afraid, there are lots of booth that cater to the ladies.

So true, unfortunately at the expense of some of the smaller Outfitters that get bumped from the show floor.

 

[Rare Breed]

All of this has been great advice. I would only add that leave the opportunity for show specials. Last year while walking between planned meetings with outfitters I happen upon a Tanzania Selous show special of 10 days 2 buffaloes at $16,000. Keep your eyes open when you walk the floor.

HH

That is a steal!!!!!

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

I nearly make a week of it now. Last year I flew in on Monday evening, went to the Master Measurer's course on Tuesday, and attended the show Weds-Sat in its entirety, flying home Sunday. I've done it in years past where I flew in on Weds or flew out on Sat evening, but it makes for long days and I feel like I'm missing out on the show. This year I'm flying in on Tuesday night and home on Sunday. Go to one or two of the SCI events in the evening. They usually have great entertainment, and the auctions are something to behold. The seminars are great for the first few years you attend, but they get old quickly because they don't rotate/refresh much year to year. I'd suggest booking a hotel now, and if you want to have a special meal at any of the popular restaurants, make reservations as soon as they're available.

Wear comfortable shoes and a large wallet!

 

[Hedge774]

I'm having a hell of a time getting tickets on the website. Probably user error, I know, buy the page will not let me select the day and move on. Anyone else having issues? Any advice? Thanks guys!

 

[RIGBY]

For all you planning to attend, please stop by at the Rigby booth and say hello!

 

[farmer_john]

I'm having a hell of a time getting tickets on the website. Probably user error, I know, buy the page will not let me select the day and move on. Anyone else having issues? Any advice? Thanks guys!

I still have to mail my 4 day passes in. Prolly gonna do tomorrow.

I have a question for those who have been before. My wife wants to know what she should wear. As it seems there is a wide range of events and formality

 

[skydiver386]

Big difference between the afternoon show and the evening banquets.

I wore comfortable hiking shoes, tan slacks, a button up shirt and an Africa Hunting ball cap to walk around the show and attend the lectures.

The evening banquets are a suite and tie affair, but certainly not stuffy. You and your wife will have a great time.

 

[Killo]

Hotels you would recomend near the convention center?

 

[Winmdl71]

JW Marriott is first rate

 

[farmer_john]

Hotels you would recomend near the convention center?

I booked mine last night alot of the stuff rifht downtowns pretty $$ i booked closer to vanderbuilt university prices are a good bit cheaper. I booked hampton in.