SCI and Weatherby Foundation International Ink Long-Term Agreement

May 1, 2024

NASHVILLE, TN (May 1, 2024) –– Today, Weatherby Foundation International (WFI) and Safari Club International (SCI) announce their agreement to host the Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Award Dinner and presentation of the Weatherby Big Game Hunting and Conservation Award in Nashville, Tennessee, for the next nine years. The dinner and award presentation for 2025 will be held on Wednesday night, January 22, 2025, on the opening day of SCI’s Annual Hunters’ Convention at the Nashville Convention Center.

Dating back to 1956, the Weatherby Award has distinguished itself as one of the most preeminent honors in the hunting and conservation community. Every year, WFI uses this award to recognize an individual for outstanding support of wildlife conservation, lifetime hunting achievement, and dedication to the principles of ethical sport hunting.

SCI’s CEO W. Laird Hamberlin, said, “SCI is immensely grateful for the opportunity to partner with Weatherby Foundation International and present their Weatherby Big Game Hunting and Conservation Award in Music City. This award demonstrates many of the shared values between the Weatherby Foundation and SCI, namely the importance of character, sportsmanship, and educating our youth in the hunting community. The annual Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Award Dinner will be an unforgettable evening for the next nine years, and we can’t wait to celebrate, beginning in January 2025.”

“Joining forces and hosting the annual Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Award Dinner during SCI’s Convention is an unparalleled opportunity to once again highlight the accomplishments of renowned hunter conservationists!” said SCI’s President John McLaurin. “We look forward to the many years ahead celebrating and honoring Weatherby Award Winners together in Nashville, TN.”

Weatherby’s President, Dr. Peter Larsen, said, “The Weatherby Foundation is extremely proud and pleased to have SCI as a long-term partner with us in presenting our annual Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Award Dinner in the lovely music city of Nashville, TN, for the next nine years during their annual Convention. SCI is an extremely powerful and growing worldwide force in the conservation and hunting space and we at the Weatherby Foundation count ourselves blessed to be in this mutually beneficial relationship with them.”

About Safari Club International (SCI)

For over 50 years, Safari Club International (SCI) has been the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.

SCI is unique in the scope of our ability to defend and advance our freedom to hunt. SCI is the only hunting rights organization with a Washington, D.C. based national and international advocacy team and an all-species focus. SCI also mobilizes our 148 chapters and affiliate networks representing millions of hunters around the world. The conservation projects of SCI’s sister organization, SCI Foundation (SCIF), support research, wildlife management, conservation projects, and rural community leadership in North America, Africa, and Central Asia.

In addition, SCI’s Annual Hunters’ Convention is the world’s ultimate sportsmen’s market that celebrates our freedom to hunt with the world’s premier outfitters, hunting celebrities, and more. SCI can be found at www.safariclub.org or contacted at (210) 985-HUNT.

About Weatherby Foundation International (WFI)

Formed in 1988, WFI’s objective is to educate youth and the non-hunting public on the beneficial role of ethical sport hunting and its contribution to wildlife conservation and to protect our constitutional right to do so. It is one of the few nonprofit organizations to focus its efforts and financial support on education outside of the industry.

Beyond its philanthropic endeavors, WFI serves as the sole sponsor of the prestigious Weatherby Hunting and Conservation Award. First presented in 1956, the Weatherby Award annually recognizes an individual for outstanding support of wildlife conservation, lifetime hunting achievement and dedication to the principles of ethical sport hunting.

Weatherby Foundation International is a non-profit, tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions are tax deductible. Contact us at www.weatherbyfoundation.com.

Hmmm... used to be connected to DSC. Maybe they didn't want to go to Atlanta either.

Follow the money……

I read Roy Weatherby’s biography and the history of SCI.
To me, this makes sense in the “critter contest” world.
We all know and have opinions on hunting awards, especially SCI’s. The Weatherby award started as a gimmick by Roy Weatherby to sell more rifles. He actively pursued movie stars and the likes of Jack O’Connor and Elgin Gates do get his rifle company up and profitable.

To me, it is marketing genius. Give a prize and a monster trophy to the hunter who shoots the most and biggest critters, especially if that hunter used a Weatherby rifle.

Fast forward to today. When a person decides to pursue the award, there is tremendous expense as well as effort to get all of the trophies measured and “legitimized”. Expect to spend $1-2 million to get on the consideration/finalist list.

There are dozens if not more people out there chasing this award. I talk to agents and outfitters who court the Weatherby seekers as they have the money and time to Chase this prize.

So , why would it surprise that SCI has paired up with them? I see it as a good thing for DSC to put distance between Weatherby and themselves.

https://www.weatherbyfoundatio...therby-award-dinner/


Weatherby Foundation
2025 Nashville


For the first time in Weatherby Foundation's history, our Gala will be held in Nashville, Tennessee. Please be sure to mark your calendar! The SCI Hunter's Convention will open Wednesday morning, January 22nd, and that evening will be exclusively dedicated to the Weatherby Foundation.

We are excited to announce that because of the generosity of SCI, the NET COST to attend the Weatherby Gala in 2025 will only be $100 for an individual ticket (see details below)!

Once registration is open later this month, it will be simple to join us at our inaugural Nashville celebration. Follow these easy steps:

STEP 1 – Purchase your Gala ticket(s) at our online portal. (Individually or by the table.)

STEP 2 – Book your hotel room. Weatherby registrants will have the option to book a hotel room at one of Weatherby's hotel room blocks (on a first-come, first-served basis – see below).

STEP 3 – Receive a complimentary 2-day Consecutive Day Pass to attend the 2025 SCI Convention (valued at $250).



Details on how to claim your 2-Day Pass will be shared at the time of registration. SCI can easily upgrade your complimentary 2-Day Pass to either a 3-Day or a 4-Day Pass at the respective rate.



Ticket Purchase Options

Individual Tickets: $350 each - includes one ticket, one two-day SCI convention pass, ability to book one hotel room if available, and placement at open seating tables.

Premiere Table: $10,500 - includes 10 tickets, 10 two-day SCI convention passes, ability to book up to five hotel rooms if available, and VIP table placement.

Grande Table: $5,500 - includes 10 tickets, 10 two-day SCI convention passes, and ability to book up to three hotel rooms if available.

Standard Table: $3,500 - includes 10 tickets, 10 two-day SCI convention passes, and ability to book two hotel rooms if available.



Hotel Rooms

As in years past, once you've purchased your tickets to the Gala through our online portal you will receive a link, sent to your email, that will allow you to book your hotel room at one of the following three hotels. All hotel rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis:

JW Marriott
201 8th Ave South | Nashville 37203

Omni
250 Rep. John Lewis Way South | Nashville 37203

The Joseph
401 Korean Veterans Blvd | Nashville 37203



Become a Corporate Sponsor!

If you are interested in partnering with Weatherby Foundation as one of our corporate sponsors, please reach out to Kameron Bybee (info@weatherbyfoundation.com or 480.648.7607) for details.





For any other questions, please contact us at
480.648.7607 or 480.319.0866
or email us at info@weatherbyfoundation.com

Given the current mess at DSC, I see how this happend.
SCI has gotten their act together and are doing what DSC used to do.
I will likely go to Nashville this year, my first time to miss DSC and then go to SCI.

I have never been but I understand it is quite the affair . I bought a table one year because I wanted to hear the speaker . Unfortunately, I got Covid and couldn’t make it .

I have been to several dinners. Enjoyable with a lot of interesting people.

I'll look forward to attending. I'm flying in early this year for the Master Measurer's course.

My wife and I toured the Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum while we were traveling to Zion National Park last week, they had a pretty nice Weatherby Award Display through 2014 (obviously minus the 2007 winner which was revoked).

And SCI move their HQ to San Antonio.

https://www.weatherbyfoundatio...m/2024-award-winner/


2024 Weatherby Award winner.

Well done. Quite a hunting career!