So, for those in the business, what is the state of the economy based upon bookings/sales at the Dallas Safari Club?

The silence is deafening. I posted above about this same issue.

Hi Scott,
There were huge crowds at Dallas... the show was so big they added a tent to the side of the second hall that held another 20 to 30 exhibitors.

Most of the outfits I spoke with saw traffic and interest pick up on Saturday after a slower Thursday and Friday.

The folks at Chifuti were booking some hunts and had sold most of their elephants but had many buff left... I think Paul said their quota was 165 buff on all of their combined concessions. He felt high-end bookings would stay firm. It's the guy saving and saving for his one African Safari that would probably not risk his capital and book now.

Buzz seemed to be busy and had traffic stopping by his booth while we visited.

Spoke with the Metzgers of Kamab Safaris in Namibia and they were pleased with their bookings so far. Also spent time with Kwan's Walter Enslin and Safari International's Russell Lovemore and they had quite a few tire kickers... Kwan posts here so maybe Walter will post his $.02 worth. Club Faune's Jeane Pierre was booking a few hunts also.

I did not see as many bargains as I expected. They may come at Reno or even after the show season has ended and the outfitters know what hunts they have unsold. DSC usually kicks off the season so maybe everyone is taking the "wait and see" approach to marking down hunts because of the economy. I guess we will wait and see. Cheers... missed you guys!

Russell,

We did very well and I'm busier than a one arm paper hanger today. The DSC show was not only a pleasant surprise but just flat excellent for us.

As I posted previous to the DSC show if you wait for a bargain or deep discount there may not be a safari available for the dates and times you want.

Mark

I just tallied-up my numbers versus that of 08 and we up a whopping 27.5%!!!

Puglisi Gun Emporium is going to triple their space for '10 as they too had an excellent show. As did Ron Stepp of "Ron Stepp Knives".

I asked around a lot - Russell's observations are spot-on.

Thanks for all that came by - If I missed you, sorry. I missed half of the show as we had a family emergency!

Thanks again to all!

JW

Jeff

My first Dallas show. I can only comment on traffic. Friday SLOW. Sat. more people but lots of Children. Time will tell the good deals. I have always seen the best deals come out after July 4th
I did speak to one booking agent who said it was very slow. I am still willing to bet anyone you are going to see some real deals later in this year. You saw them this year what has change??
Name one expensive product that is not a deal now.

We were very busy. A lot of traffic. A lot of Zambia interest and bookings. Interest in Lion was high in Zambia. Plains game in RSA was good and bookings also. Our free range Buffalo in South Africa all sold except 2. Our booth was always busy and found that the economy was not a factor. If you are going to hunt you will go. We are doing cocktail parties this week in several cities and next week to Reno. Hope all you found what you were looking for and if not keep looking.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:

He felt high-end bookings would stay firm. It's the guy saving and saving for his one African Safari that would probably not risk his capital and book now.

Not what we have seen here in the US, nothing is getting killed like the luxury retailers. The high end of the market is shifting down market and places like Walmart are benefiting.

No one has been hit as hard as the high end in this one.

jeff h

You obviously experienced the DSC show differntly than we did and anyone I spoke to. "One expensive product"? Jeff none of our safaris are cheaper nor are any of the safaris offered by any of the operators we offer.

Mark

Mark time will tell... I do seem to remember you offering some very good deals late in the year in 08. Mark if your trying to tell me the hunting industry will not be effected by this economy, I want some of what your smoking. We will watch the posts after July and see who is right. I am not wishing anyone a bad season, I am self employed also. My point is no one or no business is immune. Feel free to remind me if I am wrong cause I will remind you.

What Jeff said. Reality will come to us all. I attended the Dallas show. Most of the venders I talked to were concerned about the lack of bookings. I think that most of the agents are looking to SCI in Reno to recover the lack of money at DSC. I don't wish anyone in the industry any ill will I just have to believe that there will be a reflection of the economy at the shows. I have to admit I took advantage of what I consider to be a buyers market at DSC and had a fantastic time. My wife and I both enjoyed the trip and look forward to next year. I have attended long enough to remember the DSC being at the convention center before. I had a great time that year also. On the subject of attending DSC or SCI if they ever come to Dallas during the same month, I would attend DSC hands down. Maybe it's being a Texan, but I have always been treated better in Dallas than I have in Reno.

Joec

quote:

So, for those in the business, what is the state of the economy based upon bookings/sales at the Dallas Safari Club?

Jeff

The above was the original question. My answer was directed to that and not the long term economy which I don't have a crystal ball for. Coming back to deals and discounts nobody even asked about the possibilty of a "DEAL". They just whipped out their check books.

Mark

Some of these posts remind me of yesterdays article in the Wall Street Journal about the "economist" for the National Assoc of Realtors. He kept talking about a soft landing in real estate and even called a "bottom" in Jan 2007. Needless to say, he is out of the business because people remember who gave candid advice and who was keeping their best interests at the for front.

Oil prices fell apart a good 6-8 months after the rest of the economy and that might explain why some things are still OK in Texas. Texas will soon start to see the severe cut backs and lay-offs the rest of the country is seeing.

I wasn't there. But I heard from a close friend who is a booking agent. He said traffic and bookings were down. He was approached by many African safari companies that wanted him to sell their high end hunts. More than one told him they had sold their less expensive stuff but the longer duration expensive trophy hunts were not moving.

quote:

Oil prices fell apart a good 6-8 months after the rest of the economy and that might explain why some things are still OK in Texas. Texas will soon start to see the severe cut backs and lay-offs the rest of the country is seeing.

I'm in the "dead-center" of the oil patch. We've already seen the lay-offs, cutbacks. BUT....The number of drilling rigs operatring out here is starting to climb back up and with that comes more jobs....Economy good or bad, people need energy now more than ever....The thing that kills us in OK & TX are the rapid price drops in crude / gas....we already had that, are re-grouping and will ride'er back up - worst is over out here!

JW

Jeff, love to see such optimism in the "patch". Been in it myself for the last forty years in one way or another.

We have enough "dry powder" to be an acquirer when the public companies have to come clean and write down all their reserve values to "mark to market" values. The blood is going to be running down the streets in March/April when these public companies post data. Many will be breaking through their bank "borrowing bases" and be forced to sell. These same companies have been spending more on exploration over the past five+ years than their cash flow - just can't be good for them when price drops like it has.

Heck I leave for Zim anyway in 118 days - yeeeeeha.

Safari bookings are just fine!

duckear, that is way to damn funny. you should have your on tv show.
Laughing my ass off
Thank you

Duckear,

What jeff h said. That is too damn funny! You should be banned.

SG Olds, I quit if he is banned. still laughing
and damn creative

Guys,

I do have glasses but the dude in the pic is missing my beard and thinning hair. If you think I'm trying to pull your leg you should have set in my little Cody office today. K'ching!

Mark

Duckear:

You get my vote for the funniest and most creative post.

I like your sense of humor!

Well Done!

RCG

quote:

Originally posted by jeff h:
Mark time will tell... I do seem to remember you offering some very good deals late in the year in 08. Mark if your trying to tell me the hunting industry will not be effected by this economy, I want some of what your smoking. We will watch the posts after July and see who is right. I am not wishing anyone a bad season, I am self employed also. My point is no one or no business is immune. Feel free to remind me if I am wrong cause I will remind you.

I THINK YOU ARE SPOT ON! last year about this time, booking agents were urging everyone to book now or lose the chance for the best time slots, etc. 7-8 months later, these same agents were offering the same hunts for 20-30% off. the big problem here is having the patience to wait when a fat juicy carrot is dangling in your face and your trigger finger is itching !!!

I was told by my friend whos cousin has a close connection that got hold of this confidential information. The economic situation of the world is not what it used to be. To reflect this even some of the Blue Chip companies have modified their logos. Seeing is believing.

Damn I'm still laughing!!

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:

quote:

So, for those in the business, what is the state of the economy based upon bookings/sales at the Dallas Safari Club?

Jeff

The above was the original question. My answer was directed to that and not the long term economy which I don't have a crystal ball for. Coming back to deals and discounts nobody even asked about the possibilty of a "DEAL". They just whipped out their check books.

Mark

Me thinks he doth promote too much.

quote:

Me thinks he doth promote too much.

Ya think?

Being part Kenyan, I am SURE that President Elect Obama will include the Safari Industry in his Bailout package...

May the Good Lord help us all... BN

Why not? Everyone else is being bailed out.

Even a segment of the porn industry is asking for money!

I didn't want to say anything but i already put in the request to my democratic representative (Stupak), and my democratic senator (Levin).

I figured "what the hell?"-- I mean, "all I want is what i have coming to me, all i want is my fair share." (Which, by the way is a Lucy van Pelt <think Peanuts/Charlie brown> quote from the classic Christmas cartoon.)

Maybe the Federal Government could send all the AR members on Safari as part of a "Stimulus Package"? Food for thought...

ANOTHER GOOD ONE, BWANA NDEROBO BE CARFUL YOUR NOT BANED FROM THIS SITE AS WE HAVE SOME NOBAMA LOVERS HERE. I RAN INTO A SKINNER WHO SPOKE VERY GOOD ENGLISH IN ZAMBIA, HE ASKED ME IF NOBAMA WAS GOING TO BE OUR PRESIDENT. I TOLD HIM I DID NOT KNOW. HE SAID NOBAMA WAS HIS BROTHER. I ASKED HIM HOW? HE SAID NOBAMA WAS EAST AFRICAN AND HE WAS EAST AFRICAN. I TOLD HIM HIS BROTHER WAS VERY RICH AND HAS NOBAMA SHARED ANY OF HIS MONEY WITH HIM. HE SMILED AND SAY NO.

Uh, gee Jeff, I thought I was speaking highly of the man. Guess I might have to run the risk of being banished along with 500 grains. I didn't realize that his Kenyan ancestry was an insult. I'm truly soory to the Kenyans. BN