African Sporting Exposition Brings Africa’s

The inaugural African Sporting Exposition held January 20-22, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina brought the finest collection of African hunting, photo and fishing outfitters to the southeast and set the stage for a new concept in consumer sport shows on the east coast.

As a boutique show with 60 exhibitors for the first ever event, only Africa’s very finest were chosen as inaugural exhibitors and show management policy mandated that all must be members in good standing of their respective country’s Professional Hunting Association ensuring that only the most ethical and top standard outfitters were in attendance – a unique quality not lost on the show attendees and exhibitors alike. One exhibitor commented on a popular hunting forum during the event “…I am humbled to be here in Charlotte amongst Africa’s finest…I have booked one plains game hunt and expect to book a leopard hunt tomorrow…I’ll be back for the 2012 show for sure.” A show attendee made a similar observation when asking who to choose for his first safari – a planned plains game hunt in either Namibia or South Africa. ”…in this hall I see only the very best I’ve read and dreamed of hunting with for years…thank you for bringing the best to the east coast and thank you for choosing Charlotte.”

Although not wall to wall traffic for the first event, exhibitors and attendees alike commented on the quality attendance and the new market Charlotte and the east coast offered. By the close of the first afternoon, most exhibitors noted they had met with more “first timers” interested in coming to Africa than any major show they have exhibited in years. South African Matthew Greeff of Matthew Greeff Safaris noted Thursday evening “I have spoken with six qualified new prospects to Africa who are interested in a plains game or photo safari…and the show has just begun.” Paul Stones of Paul Stones Safaris who operates in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa offered at the conclusion of the two and half day show “in addition to some of my east coast clients who met me here rather than travel west, I met with 20 new qualified prospects interested in booking their first safari…this (new market) is what we asked for and this is what we can expect from the African Sporting Exposition – I look forward to the 2012 show!”

Although the show targeted a new market not seen with other west coast shows, Africa regulars we in attendance as well. One Namibian operator reported booking a $150,000 big game safari for three area surgeons that he expects will grow to a $250,000 safari including three elephant bulls.

Other exhibitors reported visiting with attendees from the southeast and even from New York and Maryland who chose not to travel west to the major safari shows opting to come to Charlotte since “the very best outfitters are right here in our own backyard.”

Attendees were lured to the show not only by the exceptional exhibitors which included outfitters, wildlife artists, jewelers, fine gun makers and even a custom motorcycle shop building wildlife themed choppers, the African Sporting Exposition featured a door prize drawing sponsored by Krieghoff International, Hornady Manufacturing, Zarges custom cases and Ondjamba Safaris/Game Trackers Africa which featured a drawing for a Krieghoff Classic Big Five double rifle in .470 Nitro Express, fitted to a custom Zarges hard case with soft case, and a supply of Hornady Dangerous Game Series ammunition in a custom wood box. The double rifle package valued at more than $13,500 went to Woody Fox of North Carolina who was the lucky winner when his ticket was the first drawn Saturday evening at the conclusion of the show. Ten other lucky attendees won $100 gift certificates to African Sporting Creations, a purveyor of safari equipe who exhibited and sponsored the inaugural event.

The 2012 African Sporting Exposition scheduled for January 26-28 at the Charlotte Convention Center and Five-Star Westin Hotel will again feature a Krieghoff double rifle package as a door prize for attendees and exhibitors alike.
A highlight of the show and unique to the African Sporting Exposition, a “Meet the Artists” cocktail reception and Artist Indaba was held Friday evening and included passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails for show attendees while they viewed and purchased the stunning wildlife art offered by renowned greats including John Banovich, Grant Hacking, Raj Paul and enjoyed the massive photography screen featuring the images of Jofie & Monica Lamprecht, Coenraad Vermaak, Paul Stones, Matthew Greeff, Tito West and &Beyond. The 2012 event will feature a wildlife art display four times the size of the 2011 event with seven additional artists eager to display their work to this emerging and exciting east coast market.

Charlotte’s business community liked what they saw at the inaugural 2011 event with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, area banks, sporting goods retailers, beer distributors, NASCAR racing legends, sporting clubs and associations all pledging to promote and support an event they want on the east coast and particularly in Charlotte. The 2012 African Sporting Exposition is moving to the stunning Charlotte Convention Center and Five-Star Westin Hotel which was home to the recording braking 2010 NRA Convention. The Convention Center is in the heart of the thriving banking and business district and features a light rail stop and easy access for the city’s business community and region’s sporting enthusiasts.

If you would like to exhibit please contact: info@africansportingexpo.com.