This was my first time to visit the show and I enjoyed it tremendously. The only negative that I noted was the lack of seating for lunch and to rest the legs affter 8 hours of walking.

One thing not mentioned yet is the informal Saturday get together to meet some of the other AR gang. It was a nice touch and a grand opportunity to put faces with screen names. I couldn't make the Friday dinner due to family commitments but I'm sure it was great as well.

My thanks to Retreever (Mike) and Die Ou Jagter (Ed) and any others I missed who took the time and made the effort to set up the Saturday event.

Hey guys I stick my foot into it enough with out taking responsibility for SCI. I only reported what Kathi had posted earlier. I am sure the vendors will like not having to make that move and it may bring more to each venue. SCI will draw their people and DSC will draw their people and the rest of us will pick which we will attend. I personally like DSC best and I am a member of both org. eezridr as I understand things Hell would freeze before these two would combine long story.

There are several interesting observations here, and of course a few others.

I've worked the show as a volunteer for several years, and have watched it grow significantly in that time. It's really nice to hear all the favorable comments from exhibitors and attendees alike. Of course, we hear suggestions for improvement and bellyaches as well, and try to accomodate and improve what we can.

This year was a bustin' out year. The convention has become very popular and the number of exhibitors continue to increase. As noted above, Market Hall used to be a totally adequate venue for the show; that's not the case anymore. Therefore,

Next year, the DSC Convention will take place at the Dallas Convention Center.

Of course there'll be new issues to deal with concerning the location, parking, hotels, etc., but there's really no choice except to move if we want to continue to attract the folks who want to come.

I don't think it's a p* contest between DSC and SCI. As pointed out above, both have their place. Exhibitors will continue to make their choices.

As far as the SCI show coming to Dallas, even though it has been announced for 2013 there are clauses concerning several items that may affect the actual confirmation of this move. Most of us in Dallas would welcome SCI; can you say 'safari overload'? .

Thanks to all of you who exhibited, and those of you who attended. We do try to help folks enjoy the show, and hope you had a good time.

For some of us it is more expensive than a safari by that I mean the cost of getting there and staying there (daily rate ). I still love it and will keep comming back.

Funny, well written "satire", oops, I meant to say report.

To set the record a bit more on the "reality" side of things...

1) The world ain't a perfect place - DSC did a great job for those of us that "pay to play" i.e. vendors. Between the professional services provided, great communication and those great volunteers, a vendor (such as me) can't ask for much more.

2) I have been doing these types of shows going on my 3rd decade and agree that the "trinket" sellers can be a bit of a nusiance, that is if you lack the mental fortitude to just walk past and get to where you are going. They're sort of like junk mail - they have a place and keep the overall costs associated with promoting and putting on a show of this magnitude at a reasonable, feasable level. Also remember, these folks are there to enhance the "family" aspect of the show...."If momma and the kids ain't happy, nobody is happy", (much less going on a safari)

3) Big guts on Texans. I hate ot break it to you, but Texas does not have a "lock" on the market when it comes to this....Look around you the whole country has gotten into the spare tire business. I too have a "Beer Gut" - you know, a "Six pack"! - funny remarks and observations though!

4) Gun dealers: Several of the "regulars" Champlins, Drake, G&H, H&H, etc had great shows - Puglisi Gun Emporium (new for this year) had a real Barn burner of a show - They had arguably the best Parker shotguns seen in recent years all above 100K and a set of the highest grade Purdeys on the market today in excess of 200k...ALL SOLD at this show! Champlins sold their top 2 DRs - Cabelas sold guns, etc, etc. FYI...My buddy sold 3 of those "Show Specail" 3000 dollar Kimbers. Whatever led to that remark...well, let's just say "dis-observation leads to mis-information"!

5) Texas women could do better, or whatever was written....My daddy had an old saying" "Follow the money". "nuff said!

CONCLUSION: The DSC 09 edition was an outright gigantic success and considering that the media and panic-strickened country is crying "Depession" - even more so a success. Hats off to the shooting-hunting community for showing- up and demonstrating that steady nerves, paitence and a good dose of humor can cure just about anything (except bad election results).

And finally, kudos for getting this thread started - what a great body of sarcasam intertwined with some good relevant observations - well done!

JW

Damn Jeff I have to agree with you 100% and I just don't do that very often.

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Pauly, we all have our opinions and mine is completly oposite yours, love Dallas but happy leaving Reno go. I saw the other day SCI is comming to Dallas in 2013. Probably a week after DSC, you will be able to go to dallas for two weeks and take in both .

Sorry I have no opinion I didn't even attend.
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Thank you, BulldogMaster!

That "report" was hilarious.

What mrlexma said!

I did not intent to go to the show this year. However, my old friend, Don Heath, came with the African Hunter crew and as Dallas is only a bit more than 4 hours from home I drove down Friday to visit with him. I was glad I came and got to see so many old friends and meet a few new ones. The best part for me was running into a guy I paid $500.00 to 5 years ago to ship some trophies from a hunt in Zimbabwe. Short part of a long story is he gave me back my money without me trying to prove I could still throw a punch...so this trip was one of the few I actually made a bit of money by attending the show.

I thought the show was a bit tired this year and there did not seem to be the same energy as in years past. Even the AR get togethers seemed a bit more subdued and smaller than in years past. That doesn' mean I didn't have a good time, merely that it didn't have the same vibe as years past. However, maybe it was just me because I didn't find a new double I really liked and could afford. On the bright side I looks like I will be going to Zimbabwe in April and shooting an elephant for rations for the Independence Day celebrations.

Perry

Great post BulldogMaster!!

Well if the evening auctions at the the banquets are any indicator the outfitters had a good show.

Bryan,
How did the auctions go? Just wondering if the folks were sitting on their hands or were they waving their napkins?
I'm heading to Vegas hoping to get some good auction deals.

The thing that struck me as the dumbest thing at the show, was the Remington Custom booth. A sign said, "Please do not touch our guns without permission" I handled so many high end rifles from dealers like George @Champlins, Drake and Puglisi and none had a sign and none acted a bit concerned. In the end, it does not matter much, as I doubt I would buy a Remmy to go back to Africa!

quote:

7. Certain Agents who will remain nameless - Adam Clements, at least act like you want to be there. You looked bored and ready to go home. You have the best are in Tanzania, it is sold out until 2015, your helpers talk a mile a minute - hey, get in the game. I may have seen you on an off day or off hour, but you are on display dude. Act the part. Your ace pitchman with the ponytail was rattling like a rapper selling other hunts in Poland or wherever else you guys offer hunts. Several other agents looked at my posse like we were lepers. One of my guys actually was there to book a hunt and did, but with an outfit that sold him on the experience and not the "inches".

Bulldog

I realize you are being facitious but first Adam is in the position of not needing to pull people off the floor to book them. People bring bookings to him. I'm not so fortunate but I can talk if given enough caffeine. BTW Poland is one of the few places we do not offer hunts although there is some very good hunting there. I'll have to look into it. Adam and I are the only sales people in the booth. If you had really been interested in something you'd have just waited a minute and asked some questions. Adam is very approachable. You should have just said "Hey and my friend might be interested in whatever" He'd have been very happy to help you with anything. You might have learned something too. Your loss!

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:

I realize you are being facitious but first Adam is in the position of not needing to pull people off the floor to book them. People bring bookings to him. I'm not so fortunate but I can talk if given enough caffeine. BTW Poland is one of the few places we do not offer hunts although there is some very good hunting there. I'll have to look into it. Adam and I are the only sales people in the booth. If you had really been interested in something you'd have just waited a minute and asked some questions. Adam is very approachable. You should have just said "Hey and my friend might be interested in whatever" He'd have been very happy to help you with anything. You might have learned something too. Your loss!

And no mention or explanation of the ponytail.

As for the "Rapper" description, I find myself flummoxed. Mark, as I recall you were a Rock n Roll sort of fellow. Is there a change in taste you'd like to tell the gang about? Is 50 Cent or LL Cool J or Ice Cube your preference now?

Bulldog, I'm curious, was the Ponytailed One wearing what most of us would consider regular attire or did he resemble a ghetto thug? Pants around his knees, hat on sideways, "Lettissia" or "Biggie Smalls Lives" tattooed across his back?

I find myself a little lost and unsure given the current state of events.

quote:

Bryan,
How did the auctions go? Just wondering if the folks were sitting on their hands or were they waving their napkins?
I'm heading to Vegas hoping to get some good auction deals.

Auction totals were up over 08!!!

JW

Mark....Chantelle intimidated him.

Jeff....stopped by the booth to say hello, but you were just on your way in one of the gents said....they did get me for a PH belt package though...nice stuff.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

What I failed to see mentioned here but maybe I overlooked it. The move is being made for several reason and the main one is....the owners of Market Hall are going to tear the building down. What the space will become I have yet to hear.
Yes, there is a list of people waiting to get into the show so the move should help with that. Now all we need is for more of you folks to come and not all of you be whistling gophers!
As in..."How much does that go fer? Whew!"
It was good to see old friends and to make new ones too.
Overall is was a good show for most vendors after a hard start Thurs. and Fri. I would venture to say that most vendors might be down some from last year DSC sales but last year was an exception to the rule.
Sat. the traffic in the all was pretty much wall to wall. The traffic held up good on Sunday too.
If you think your feet were tired from walking the aisle then come stand in one of the booths all day. I arrived at the show on Tues. to start putting up the booths 6'3" and came home late Sunday 5'8" and my eyes were not blue either.
Lots of Tuffpaks went out the door but just in case you did not get one in Dallas I will have plenty in Reno so see you in booth 203 in the main hall.
Better tomorrows and thanks for coming to DSC.
Mims

quote:

Yes, there is a list of people waiting to get into the show so the move should help with that.

It will help some. The map for Market Hall including the tent showed 905 10'x10' booths and the unofficial Dallas Convention Center map shows just over 1000 10'x10' booths. A good deal of the additional space will go to vendors who want more space and only part will go to new vendors. But at least everyone will be in the same room and there will be no tent.

quote:

Originally posted by Harry:
Now all we need is for more of you folks to come and not all of you be whistling gophers!
As in..."How much does that go fer? Whew!"

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are!

Hadn't heard of "whistlin' gophers" before. Must be a Texas species.

Up in the north country, however, we, too have a whistlin' species. We call them "pin-striped whistlers." Wonder if the DNA was done to compare the two if it would prove that they are really only color phases of one another. Behavior seems unbelievably similar. Bet they interbreed, too.

Gee Harry I wish you were one of my clients as apperantly you don't ask what something costs, you just say I want this or that and pay what ever.

Sounds like all in all the show went well. I didn't make it down this time. I know this is gonna date me (again) but we had a booth at the DCS years ago when the convention was in the basement of the Marriott at DFW airport.


Rich Elliott

I don't know how the final tally turned out, however, I do know that the individual auctions tapped out at the listed price or higher. We did not buy anything and we attended the Thurs, Fri, Sat banquets.

I thought it was a great show.

After six straight years of attendance my only complaints are that parking is horrible (spots are for cars, not trucks0 and that the beer lines were too long. At one point I bought a beer and got straight back in line knowing that I'd be finished drinking it by the time I got up front again.

quote:

Originally posted by bluefin:
Bryan,
How did the auctions go? Just wondering if the folks were sitting on their hands or were they waving their napkins?
I'm heading to Vegas hoping to get some good auction deals.

that should be a little tough, since SCI is in Reno- just couldn't resist a golden opportunity like this !!