Let me start off by saying I'm not trying to start another DSC versus SCI war (although it will probably sink to that), I simply wanted to relay a little information that many have asked for and is available for public consumption. DSC's 2015 convention, "Traditions" was our most successful convention to date, we had over 47,000 attendees and were able to raise a record amount of money at our auctions (without a rhino hunt), much of which will be used as grants to fund conservation, youth education and hunter advocacy efforts worldwide (I suspect a record amount for grants, too). Over 700 of you decided to become new members of DSC at the show, thank you. The credit for this success is due to those of you that chose to exhibit, and perhaps donate, to our show and to those of you that chose to visit our show and spend your hard earned dollars to support our efforts.
A couple of other things...our exhibitor breakfast was a huge success, being very well attended each morning and the exhibitor hospitality lounge, The Big Bull Lounge, was a gigantic (but very expensive) success, I bet it will be there again next year. If you want to stay at the Omni next year, plan on making your reservations very, very soon. The rooms will be booked solid in a very short period of time.
Finally, if any of you exhibitors or attendees have a legitimate complaint or a suggestion on how to make our show more enjoyable, please PM me and I'll arrange to contact you...we will listen.

Karl

This was my ninth straight year attending the DSC show, & it just keeps getting better. Can't wait 'til next year. Thanks, Karl.

As always, we enjoyed ourselves greatly

You guys look like JV's Ha Ha
One thing I wish, we'd get together at SCI like that
I tried, but it's like everyone is scared of each other

Haven't been to SCI, but given what DSC has become, I'm not sure why I would need to do so. Only comment was the noise level at the Saturday night dinner was a bit loud. For folks with hearing loss, which I suspect is a number of us, I couldn't hear myself think.

Great job to DSC overall, however.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Haven't been to SCI, but given what DSC has become, I'm not sure why I would need to do so. Only comment was the noise level at the Saturday night dinner was a bit loud. For folks with hearing loss, which I suspect is a number of us, I couldn't hear myself think.

Great job to DSC overall, however.

Join the club my friend.

I cannot even consider thinking in any noisy environment.

The cogs in my head only engage when I am in the bush, a few yards from a herd of buffalo!

Then I know there is nothing wrong with my hearing, as I can even hear the chirp of the tick birds

Hopefully one day I will make it to DSC.

Saeed:

Like you, I can hear in the bush when it's quiet. But add background noise, like the blaring loudspeakers in the dinner, or even the low rumble of noise at a cocktail party, and I can't hear a thing.

You should come to DSC. It's a great show. But if you do, don't stay at the Omni. No restaurants (yes, a couple, but long waits), limited bars (long waits). At least we didn't have the teeny-bopper cheerleaders this year.

There are better places to stay in Dallas close by.

quote:

There are better places to stay in Dallas close by.

The Magnolia, I stay there every year. Short walk or you can pick up the shuttle bus near by.

quote:

As always, we enjoyed ourselves greatly

LDK, my invite must have gotten lost in the mail, is one of those cats your lawyer?

We always have a blast. We will be back.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Haven't been to SCI, but given what DSC has become, I'm not sure why I would need to do so. Only comment was the noise level at the Saturday night dinner was a bit loud. For folks with hearing loss, which I suspect is a number of us, I couldn't hear myself think.

Great job to DSC overall, however.

You are so right about the noise level, I can't remember it ever being so noisy, even the auctioneer and his spotters commented on this. I don't know what we can do about it though, 1300 people can make a lot of noise without even trying (and apparently do). Like Saeed, I have a really hard time hearing in a noisy environment so I might have "mis-answered" a question or two during the banquets.

Karl

Another great convention by DSC. I get a pretty good look into the work it takes the small DSC staff, and BIG and hardworking team of volunteers to put the convention on, and I continue to be amazed at the job they do. Proud to be a life member and vendor at the finest convention of it's kind!

I went for the first time had a good time thought it was pretty well run

K Evans:

Don't get me wrong. You had a great show as usual. I'm just half deaf when I get background noise. Great show and I'm not sure anything can be done about the noise or my deafness.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
K Evans:

Don't get me wrong. You had a great show as usual. I'm just half deaf when I get background noise. Great show and I'm not sure anything can be done about the noise or my deafness.

I have a very hard time filtering out the background noise so I can hear what is being said by those close to me. I am not sure that it is a hearing issue or attention issue with me.

The increase in attendees on Thursday and Friday was interesting. I would think those were more serious shoppers and benefit the exhibitors to have the traffic spread out more. Any exhibitors notice an increase in sales on those dates versus prior years?

Great show and will be back. Biggest complaint I had and heard was the ability or lack of in buying a drink. The lack of being able to buy a drink and walk the show floor is not hospitable. More over, the tiny lounge area on the main floor where you could buy a drink but could not leave with it was overwhelming crowded all day and the 2 other lounges on either end of the shows were not frequented nearly as much. I understand TABC rules and "gun show" policies of alcohol and guns in proximity, but with DSC's clout and connections, surely a portion of the entry fee could be designated a "club" fee allowing alcohol to be purchased and enjoyed by clients in a vendor's booth. Hate to be negative but my wife and our group of friends we brought as guest to the show were disappointed in the setup since we were told in 2014 that the '15 show would be different. Again, great show and will return next year.

quote:

Originally posted by Texasclay:
Great show and will be back. Biggest complaint I had and heard was the ability or lack of in buying a drink. The lack of being able to buy a drink and walk the show floor is not hospitable. More over, the tiny lounge area on the main floor where you could buy a drink but could not leave with it was overwhelming crowded all day and the 2 other lounges on either end of the shows were not frequented nearly as much. I understand TABC rules and "gun show" policies of alcohol and guns in proximity, but with DSC's clout and connections, surely a portion of the entry fee could be designated a "club" fee allowing alcohol to be purchased and enjoyed by clients in a vendor's booth. Hate to be negative but my wife and our group of friends we brought as guest to the show were disappointed in the setup since we were told in 2014 that the '15 show would be different. Again, great show and will return next year.

+1

Great show - 3 times there and will be coming back many more times.

The rules against drinking in a outfitters booth needs to go. We are not going to drink in the firearms booth. But to sit and have a nice cold beer or single malt scotch in a outfitters booth after 3-4 is fun, relaxing and conducive to business generation.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Texasclay:
Great show and will be back. Biggest complaint I had and heard was the ability or lack of in buying a drink. The lack of being able to buy a drink and walk the show floor is not hospitable. More over, the tiny lounge area on the main floor where you could buy a drink but could not leave with it was overwhelming crowded all day and the 2 other lounges on either end of the shows were not frequented nearly as much. I understand TABC rules and "gun show" policies of alcohol and guns in proximity, but with DSC's clout and connections, surely a portion of the entry fee could be designated a "club" fee allowing alcohol to be purchased and enjoyed by clients in a vendor's booth. Hate to be negative but my wife and our group of friends we brought as guest to the show were disappointed in the setup since we were told in 2014 that the '15 show would be different. Again, great show and will return next year.

This is the number one complaint I have heard from exhibitors and attendees alike. There were more bars available this year, but still wasn't very convenient. This issue is being worked on very, very hard (and has been for well over a year) to find a solution acceptable to all parties. Stay tuned.


Karl



Karl

It was a great show and a great time Karl.

I don't know about staying at the Omni. While it might be nice, we stayed at the Magnolia and apart from not getting our chocolate chip cookies I don't have a thing to complain about. They treated us wonderfully too.

My only complaint was waiting at Javiers. Even that was pretty fun.

Thanks to all the DSC volunteers for a great show and event. I haven't even thought of going to any other big show.

Great show. Love it. Will go back every year.
But please tell the PA address announcer to STFU! That PA system is way too loud and distracts from the show and the ability to talk to people.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Great show. Love it. Will go back every year.
But please tell the PA address announcer to STFU! That PA system is way too loud and distracts from the show and the ability to talk to people.

This is the second most voiced complaint from exhibitors and attendees alike, next to the inability to enjoy an adult beverage while walking the show. Mine, too. It is very frustrating to try and carry on a conversation with someone (many times trying to help an exhibitor with a problem) and be drowned out by the PA. Along with the number one complaint, this one is being worked on too.
I think this one has a pretty easy fix though...

Karl

How soon can reservations be made for the Omni for next year?

Supposed to open for booking in mid March. I'll post something here as soon as I can get a firm date.

Karl

47 000 attendees is remarkable.Thank-you Karl and congratulations DSC for an excellent show.

My wife and I took the day off and went on Friday. It's something we do every year and probably our only must see event. I've been to SCI in Reno and Vegas a few times and would say that DSC is just as good for a lot less money. I have no reason or desire to go to another SCI show. Nothing wrong with them, but with everything you could ever want at this show, there just isn't any reason to. We enjoy the variety of things to see there, from the taxidermy, to the woodworking and art displays, to talking to so many different outfitters. Last year we found an outfitter for South Africa that turned out to be an amazing trip. This year we found one for moose in Alaska that we are looking forward to. My wife is fairly new to hunting and travel, so it was something new to her when she first went, but not she is almost childlike with excitement about going next year.

Eddie & Karen Walker