I have just returned home to Australia from SCI . This was my second convention the previous one was in Reno .
As a foreigner I found Reno a better venue .Firstly there is a Cabelas and Sportsmans Warehouse and for those of us from out of the US the opportunity to buy things is very important as the US is a shoppers paradise .
Secondly the smaller nature of Reno meant of an evening most of the bars were full of attendees and we had great nights talking to African guides . For an enthusiastic amateur talking to the professionals is very pleasant though I am not sure the PH's gained as much .
My preference would be a return to Reno .

Mark

As a PH, in total agreement.

Though Vegas was nice the overall cost to attend was much more than it was at Reno.

I preferred Reno
shane

Vegas is a much cheaper venue for me and easier access than Reno. I thought the show was great and represented a bunch of effort on the exhibitors and SCI which I wish to say thank you.

Give up on Reno guys.

Too hard to get to, questionable weather and the convention center has not expanded to meet SCI's needs. They have a contract in Vegas for the next few years .

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Give up on Reno guys.

Too hard to get to, questionable weather and the convention center has not expanded to meet SCI's needs. They have a contract in Vegas for the next few years .

Plus I heard that Mandalay Bay is expanding the already huge center close to a 1/3 larger and the 200 vendors on the wait list will be at SCI next year.

That is true. I drove by the ongoing Mandalay Convention Center expansion and construction every day. By the way, the SCI convention will likely never go back to Reno. Reno's Convention Authority and Airport Authority screwed themselves years ago by failing to make long term plans to expand the airport and the convention center and thus, lost SCI. It is old news.

Yes, but it is a much nicer one day drive in the old Jag to Reno. Six hours, and one fuel/food/pit stop and we are there. Put the top down, push the button to activate the heated seats, and turn the thermostat up to about 80.

At about 70% the cost of Vegas.

The show floor will grow by 200,000 sq feet next year - from 600,000 to 800,000...

quote:

The show floor will grow by 200,000 sq feet next year - from 600,000 to 800,000...

But is it high fenced!

My stay will grow by one day next year!

The fence is low enough, you can jump it for nominal fee

I agree with the OP and for the same reasons. Plus I enjoy smaller shows much more than the mega-shows. But larryshores is correct-SCI is not going to get smaller and move back to Reno.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
My stay will grow by one day next year!

That said, mine will likely shrink by four. Probably give DSC a shot.

Give that some thought. I went to the DSC convention and was a bit disappointed to go so far for what was a lot less of a show than SCI.

While i most certainly see the points of many related to the "quaintness" of Reno, the closer concentration of bars (i.e. Less choice) etc....
All valid points.
Here's the simple truth.. Reno is also a dump in many regards (much like Atlantic City).
Vegas is a far bigger draw with far far better facilities with far more choice and breadth of activities.
Bigger Space
Better Bars
Better Restaurants (far better)
Better Hotels
Better Casinos
Better Shows
Better and cheaper flight access
Yes, higher costs in a few areas (not hotels or flights)

I too liked Reno for several of these reasons, but Vegas is "big time"

For my personal purposes Reno was nicer.

For the purpose of the convention as a whole, I agree that Vegas fits the bill more closely, unfortunately.

Poyntman: You missed one other fact: Better weather! LOL! And, Vegas is a world class destination-Reno is not.

Guys,
I've been to SCI Reno twice and Vegas once, flying from oz for a week.
I found Reno more expensive in accommodation,harder to fly into and out of, the show smaller and the food / variety of things to do limited. Most definitely nothing for the wife or family to do In Reno.

Vegas on the other hand was cheaper for accommodation, food excellent and variety unlimited, the show was bigger and it was much warmer and easier to get in and out of.

Next year I'll happily return to Vegas with the family in tow.

Cheers

Nick

Another factor; my wife actually wants to go to Las Vegas next year. She has never asked to return to Reno.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
Give that some thought. I went to the DSC convention and was a bit disappointed to go so far for what was a lot less of a show than SCI.

I'm curious, a lot less of a show in what regard?

Karl

If you go to Vegas and come out of your shell so to speak instead of stay in your hotel you will really enjoy it.Just walking the length of the strip is something especially in the dry,warm, sunny weather.With the shows with all the stars in the evening,the excellent places to eat or hang out,and the convention too, things have the potential to be really exciting.

I like the show in either city.

It is definitely easier for me to fly to Las Vegas.

Food is expensive there, the weather is great, went to a show and the Grand Canyon.

I do miss going to Lake Tahoe while in Reno.

As far as talking to PHs in the bars at night, I figure they had enough of me by the end of the day so I like to give them a break.

I personally enjoy Reno over Vegas. Having said that at the Board Meeting it was made quite clear that Vegas will be SCI's permanent home

Well SCI getting even bigger in Vegas would just mean more torture if I went. Personally I hate the big shows and could care less if I ever saw Vegas again. I asked my wife if she wanted to go to SCI last year and it was a resounding NO.

To quote her, "Too many pompous asses and flakes."

Only thing I miss is not seeing some people I have known for a long time and see infrequently, but they know where I live.

I must agree with Skyline . Vegas is good to see once but I first went there in 1979 . It would be better if I gambled or liked to go to shows , but I don't . Added to which my wife wouldn't come to Vegas or Reno ! Personally I am sorry to hear it will not be returning to Reno .
In a discussion of towns to visit in the US , my sons came on the trip with me and went to Portland , Oregon for 4 nights prior to SCI . That is a town I would return to anytime . Greta food great bars , great beer and very friendly people . It is a lot cheaper than Vegas as well . Now if they could move SCI there !

Mark

You're not a foreigner, Mark, just a neighbor to the south.


Dutch

I'll admit Reno seemed more intimate with folks being obviously very happy to have SCI there. Otherwise I can't find anything good about having the convention in Reno. Vegas just has better everything. Food and drink is more expensive there but the variety and quality is far better than what I found in Reno. The Strip in Vegas is also cleaner, well kept up and it feels safer. You walk a couple of blocks away from your hotel in Reno and you start to think that perhaps I should not be here.

Mark

I agree with Mark. Sorry that I missed seeing you at the convention!

If we're voting, I vote Vegas.

Better hotels and more of them. Better restaurants and more of them. Stuff for my wife to do - shows and shopping, etc.

I agree with whoever said Reno was kind of a dump.

Having said all that, I've been at DSC for the past few years and find it to be just fine. Last year I went to both SCI and DSC and as a client, thought it was overkill. I will likely alternate going forward, going mostly to DSC with my friends and occasionally to SCI with my wife.

I understand why SCI moved to Vegas But I still like The smaller town atmosphere of Reno.Think Reno has better restaurants friendlier and in my case it is a 3 hour drive . Giver up hope that SCI will move sad. Went to DSC this year enjoyed it liked Dallas a lot better than Vegas

Well, I'll go for asses and flakes rather then ghetto
For us country bumpkins, Vegas is one way to get and to see some culture

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Well, I'll go for asses and flakes rather then ghetto
For us country bumpkins, Vegas is one way to get and to see some culture

......................................................................

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Well, I'll go for asses and flakes rather then ghetto
For us country bumpkins, Vegas is one way to get and to see some culture

LOL........ boarkiller, "culture" is definitely not the way I would characterize Vegas.

I always thought 'culture' meant, ballet, art museums, opera and the like. Not hookers, scantily clad chicks, conmen and gambling.

The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is the only aquarium that is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the state of Nevada. It features over 2,000 animals and 1,200 species in 1.6 million gallons of seawater.

The $485 million Smith Center for the Performing Arts is located downtown in Symphony Park. The center is appropriate for Broadway shows and other major touring attractions as well as orchestral, opera, choir, jazz, and dance performances.

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is a facility presenting high-quality art exhibitions from major national and international museums. Past exhibits have included the works of Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, and Peter Carl Fabergé. A self-guided audio tour is also offered.

The Las Vegas Natural History Museum features robot dinosaurs, live fish, and more than 26 species of preserved animals. There are several "hands-on" areas where animals can be petted.

The Atomic Testing Museum, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, houses artifacts from the Nevada Test Site and records the dramatic history of the atomic age through a series of interactive modules, timelines, films, and actual equipment and gadgets from the site.

The valley is home to numerous other art galleries, orchestras, ballets, theaters, and museums as well, including the Akhob Exhibition by James Turrell, The Art of Richard MacDonald, Chihuly Art Gallery, Las Vegas Little Theater, Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra, Martin Lawrence Galleries, Nevada Ballet Theatre, P3 Art Studio, Peter Lik Fine Art Photography, National Atomic Testing Museum, Liberace Museum, and Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History. Just a little bit about the culture and art of Las Vegas for the uneducated, not to mention that it is also known as the entertainment capital of the world.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is the only aquarium that is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the state of Nevada. It features over 2,000 animals and 1,200 species in 1.6 million gallons of seawater.

The $485 million Smith Center for the Performing Arts is located downtown in Symphony Park. The center is appropriate for Broadway shows and other major touring attractions as well as orchestral, opera, choir, jazz, and dance performances.

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is a facility presenting high-quality art exhibitions from major national and international museums. Past exhibits have included the works of Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, and Peter Carl Fabergé. A self-guided audio tour is also offered.

The Las Vegas Natural History Museum features robot dinosaurs, live fish, and more than 26 species of preserved animals. There are several "hands-on" areas where animals can be petted.

The Atomic Testing Museum, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, houses artifacts from the Nevada Test Site and records the dramatic history of the atomic age through a series of interactive modules, timelines, films, and actual equipment and gadgets from the site.

The valley is home to numerous other art galleries, orchestras, ballets, theaters, and museums as well, including the Akhob Exhibition by James Turrell, The Art of Richard MacDonald, Chihuly Art Gallery, Las Vegas Little Theater, Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra, Martin Lawrence Galleries, Nevada Ballet Theatre, P3 Art Studio, Peter Lik Fine Art Photography, National Atomic Testing Museum, Liberace Museum, and Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History. Just a little bit about the culture and art of Las Vegas for the uneducated. [/QUOTE


You omitted the numerous strip clubs aka the Vegas ballet.

Hey Larry, you missed that part of the quote about Las Vegas being the entertainment capital of the world. Got the same stuff with those hookers and strip clubs that you can find anywhere in the U.S., even in family friendly and convention oriented Orlando. However, Larry is indeed right, I did forget to name the Las Vegas Ballet Company (in conjunction with the Nevada Ballet Theatre) which is also located in Las Vegas. Damn it! Thanks for the reminder!

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:

The Las Vegas Natural History Museum features robot dinosaurs, live fish, and more than 26 species of preserved animals.

I suspect there are a few folks posting on here that have more than 26 species in their trophy room.

True that one. I definitely do for sure. I believe that some generous Las Vegas SCI donor might have provided them with their initial 26 species of "preserved" animals, just to make a little more room in his own huge trophy room and to cull out a few duplicates. It's nice, and it's a great visit for kids, but it isn't quite the New York Museum of Natural History or the Smithsonian. The museum also has a permanent treasures of Egypt exhibit, dinosaur exhibit, prehistoric life gallery, international wildlife gallery, Las Vegas Founder's African Galleries, Wild Nevada Gallery, marine life gallery,and geology gallery. For an exciting visit to some real trophy rooms we take the kids to Cecil Fredi's or to one of many other major world wide private trophy room collections here in Vegas. There are plenty of them and they welcome the visits.

UEG - thanks for some "real" insight as to what Las Vegas is. I am sure most who go there, spend a few days at the Hotels and Casino don't have a clue as to what else is there. There will always be those without knowledge or facts throwing out their misguided/limited opinions of Sin City. Another place is the Thomas and Mack center that holds the National Finals Rodeo event every year as well as tons of basketball and other sport functions. Also NASCAR has a couple of big races there and hold their awards banquet there as well.

How anyone can go to the SCI Convention, the biggest/best hunting Show in the World and come away not impressed and have a complete blast is beyond me. I know it killed me not being able to attend this year due to my injury, but will always have it on my to do list in the future.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member
R8 Blaser
Sabatti "trash" Double Shooter