I read this in the Dallas Morning News this morning:

"The Dallas Safari Club's Convention and Hunting Expo moved from Market Hall to the Dallas Convention Center this year and the move paid dividends, says DSC executive director Ben Carter."

"We blew the doors off the previous records, most notably our fundraising totals for conservation and education projects worldwide. We'll be back at the Dallas Convention Center at least through 2015."

"An estimated 26,000 visitors attended the convention and expo. Safari Club International is reporting 20,000 attendees for its annual convention and expo in Reno."

I thought the mood was much better at both shows this year, but for many reasons I felt the DSC show was better attended. Just seemed busier to our guys. Better sales this year for sure. Dallas is just so much easier to get into, more things to do, and it has turned into a true international destination show. All the major players are in Dallas now and combined with the fact that it is the first show, more affordable to attend, friendlier atmosphere ... it is becoming "the show" in lots of attendees eyes. I hope both shows will continue to be successful as it is good for business-AND good for hunting.

I would love to do Dallas (not like Debbie...) but Reno is a four hundred mile drive from my house. I don't have to mess with a plane or rental car, etc.

Maybe some day. Like you, I hope both break records for attendance and donations every year.

Rich

Dave, this always comes up, the comparison thing. Not a big deal one way or the other but just some facts from my experience. I got bumped from DSC because of other commitments this year but had all the expenses figured out.

You say more affordable to do DSC?

I live in New Mexico, so closer than most to both Reno and Dallas I suppose. These were my expenses for both places except food which I estimated.

5 days 4 nights in both places.

Reno - Airfare and room - $441.00; SCI entry fee - $260.00; Food - $150.00 for a total of $851.00.

Dallas - Airfare $216.00, Room - $400.00; Car rental - $155.00; DSC entry $60.00; Food - $200.00 for a total of $1,031.
So Reno is actually cheaper for me.

Eaiser to get too? Reno 1 plane change -total time of travel about 3 hours. Dallas - direct flight 1 hour 45 minutes. I always hear about how hard it is to get to Reno. For most from anywhere in the US it's one or maybe two plane changes. It cracks me up that "hunters" complain about this plane change thing. I was on 8 different aircraft going and coming to Moz last year.

Friendlier atmosphere? I sent many years working Shows as a Manufactures Rep, and was in Dallas for this a dozen times or so. Absolutely no comparison who is the most friendly, it's Reno hands down. From the signs at the airport, hotel staff, resturants, casinos, Show staff and beyond, everything shouts welcome in Reno. In Dalls, no one even knows who DSC is or that we are in town for a special gathering, except other DSC people of course.

Reno equals less money; no airport shuttles or rental cars, no taxis to get to the Show and back, lots of resturants and entertainment all under one roof when returning from the Show. Weather was a toss up this year as each Show had some Winter involved.

As I said no big deal, just pointing out some of the myths that always come up about Reno vs Dallas. I too hope both Shows continue to prosper and will most likely make both of them next year. Sorry for being so longwinded.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Larry, stay with the gang at the Comfort and forget the car rental, use the blue shuttle for airport maybe $60, Food in Dallas same as Reno as each location cost depends on where one eats. Go with the gang this past year on Friday and it was free, Sat just eat and drink at the party and say $40. Air fare/hotel I don't know. I don't know where you stay in Reno but my hotel in Reno the last time I was there was about the same as Dallas, is now and the last time I was in Reno was 06. Also in Reno I paid for breakfast at the hotel in Dallas free. Another thing at the Comfort Inn on Wed and Thur eve beer, wine and chips free.

Larry
If your eating and boarding in Reno for the week at $441 I must be staying at the wrong place !
As for friendly, as a vendor I can say hands down that DSC is much more friendly when it comes to how we are treated. And I do both shows every year, for lots of years. At DSC , each day board members come by to say" thanks for being at our show and what can we do to help? "
At SCI Reno if someone came by it would be to tell you that your booth is 1/4 inch over the line. This is my experience, but I would love to hear from others as to their feelings on the most friendly as you Larry and I have such different views. I think SCI is trying to put on a friendlier face these days, but it is because they now are being sorely pressed by a more vendor friendly organization in Dallas and are tired of the comparison. Funny how a little competition brings out the best in both people and conventions.
So you tell me ..DSC or SCI Most affordable and enjoyable? Let the democratic process begin.

Dave - We stayed at the Circus Circus/ElDorado/Silver Legacy complex if you will. 5 Day 4 Night stay and airfare with US Airways package was $441.00. I spent around $150.00 for food. Roughly 12 meals.

As to more friendly, I was speaking of the "locals" and not the way the Shows treat the Vendors. I have also heard the Vendor treatment could be improved at SCI.

DOJ - I hear you on doubling up on rides to the Show and eating places but always like to have my own ride in places like Dallas. Of course the buses take you to the show and back in Reno, hotel shuttle back and fourth to the airport, so no rental car neeed. My reservation at Comfort was going to be $99.00 per night, Reno figures out to just under $50.00.

A lot of this Show thing is what you get used to I guess. Been going to Reno forever. Since I live out West, Reno seems more my style than the more Glitzy Dallas area. I am planning on DSC for sure in 2010. Wasn't trying to start a squabble, just putting out the facts as to how it played out for me.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Larry
no squabble at all buddy. It is ,as you say, personal experience that we all make our comments on. I do have a vendor slant on my view for sure, but you are correct that as a city Reno does welcome the show pretty well. lets hope Big D follows that example.
All the best
Dave

Dave,
Having gone to both shows this year, I really don't think it matters who's friendlier, I think people will continue to support both shows, because the major players (vendors) will be at both. I can't imagine being a vendor and deciding to go to Dallas and not Reno.

I can say one thing about dallas...their move in procedure was brutal...hours of sitting in line and not moving. That was ridiculus!

Larry cost of food is what one wants. This last Dallas show 4 of us went to Tim Love's Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, dinner and drinks for 4 was about $240. I wouldn't be doing this every night, Hell the Sat eve party only cost me a day of my time and what is that worth. I just found Reno to be every bit as expensive as Dallas but I am comming from the east so air is more and takes longer. This past show I traveled with Frank and Joyce and that in and of itself made the whole trip a great experience.

DOJ - I also traveled to SCI with three of my good friends. This has become a "tradition" among us. To me that is what this is all about, good friends, good Show, new people, meeting old friends and fun, fun, fun in an atmosphere filled with "hunters" from around the World. Doesn't get much better than that.

Agree on the food costs for sure. Where we stay there are at least a dozen resturants/bars under one roof so usually don't even go back out on the street for dining.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Larry cost of food is what one wants. This last Dallas show 4 of us went to Tim Love's Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, dinner and drinks for 4 was about $240. I wouldn't be doing this every night, Hell the Sat eve party only cost me a day of my time and what is that worth. I just found Reno to be every bit as expensive as Dallas but I am comming from the east so air is more and takes longer. This past show I traveled with Frank and Joyce and that in and of itself made the whole trip a great experience.

Never gone to Reno: DSC is large enough for us; this year we did not see half the exhibts. change of venue; we did not arrive until 0200 Thursday, lots of things caused our confusion this year. We will continue attending Dallas and foregoing Reno.

Larry look forward to meeting you in Dallas next year, and Hell I'll even stand you a drink Sat eve.