Looking at the DSC web page they have a map of the floor plan for the convention.

It appears to be spread out over a large area.

it list 893 Exibitors for the convention.

DSC sent out what I consider to be a very strange e mail to their exhibitors. They recommended that people attend the boat show next door. I am not sure what the logic is with that recommendation.

There is another part where they appear to be acknowledging crime issues .

Not sure of the reasoning behind this.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
DSC sent out what I consider to be a very strange e mail to their exhibitors. They recommended that people attend the boat show next door. I am not sure what the logic is with that recommendation.

There is another part where they appear to be acknowledging crime issues .

Not sure of the reasoning behind this.

It is the NEW SASHES MANAGEMENT in charge!

Did you expect anything else?

I will not be going to DSC but I will be going to SCI with my family.

Larry,
As you know, I am in the BIG yacht, brokerage business and we have presence in some of the largest Boat Shows in the Country, including Seattle, I have attended big shows like the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale shows and worked them back in my FRASER Yachts years.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN A HUNTING OUTFITTER AT A BOAT SHOW!! I have seen some of the Bill fishing lodges, Brazil Peacock Bass fishing trips and Canadian or Alaska Salmon/Halibut fishing lodges with small presence in Boat Shows.
Somehow, that doesn't seem like good advice to me??!!

I’ll be there Thursday-Saturday night for the banquet.

[/QUOTE]It is the NEW SASHES MANAGEMENT in charge!
Did you expect anything else? [/QUOTE]

Maybe you could design an AR sash for AR members to wear around the show? Would help members identify one another and be relevant as the red sashes worn by the elite hunters last year.
I’d suggest Royal blue, or Kelly green with gold letters

Will be there in Booth 830. Will be very interesting to come back here in a little over a week and see everyone's perspective on the show.

Personally, I think if it's a success, people will open up to the idea just a bit. If it's not good on the business side, it won't be good and will have a further negative effect down the line. It can really go both ways.

This will be interesting.

I personally know some long time exhibitors who are not going to exhibit. I know some who are going to both DSC and TTHA.

I hear a lot of complaining about the cost of shipping things stored in TX to ATL.

I imagine that a lot of Texans will not go. Many are pissed off not only because of the move but also because they were lied to.

I imagine there will be a volume of new attendees who will there solely because of the new location. Will the gains exceed the losses? Time will tell.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
. . . I imagine that a lot of Texans will not go. Many are pissed off not only because of the move but also because they were lied to. . .

+1

My wife and I are going. We are leaving for Atlanta on Wednesday.

We both have volunteered with the DSC 100 and will be working the membership booth for 3 hours every day.

I am a little worried about the weather on Friday and Saturday as it could turn into an ice storm. Other than that, I'm looking forward to it.

If the weather keeps us from racing in VA this weekend then I'll take the family to Atlanta to see our 1st DSC show.

Weather has been rough . Hopefully it clears .

The weather friday has me nervous. There is no place I'd rather NOT be than ATL in an ice storm, especially as I am going/coming back same day up/down I-20.

So, we're changing gears and going Thursday.

Given what happened in 2014 during "snowpocalypse", my guess is that I am not the only one.

quote:

Originally posted by SCLawyer:
The weather friday has me nervous. There is no place I'd rather NOT be than ATL in an ice storm, especially as I am going/coming back same day up/down I-20.

So, we're changing gears and going Thursday.

Given what happened in 2014 during "snowpocalypse", my guess is that I am not the only one.

I just spoke with a friend in Atlanta . He is saying. 3-5 inches of snow and ice is predicted for Friday .

Travel will likely be a nightmare

Ive had several messages from exhibitors, sponsors and others regarding the show. One said it was a f'ed up mess, very long walk from registration to entrance, two exhibitors said it is "very, very slow", another said it was dead, guy attending said the food court lacked variety and was practically empty. Weather forecasters are still predicting snow for tomorrow, that'll be a good excuse if this turns out really bad. I've been told that table sales for evening banquets are much less than anticipated, likely be some bargain auction hunts in the online auctions. I think this move was an incredibly bad decision, time will tell how bad or good it was. I'm hoping for the best but expecting something less.

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Ive had several messages from exhibitors, sponsors and others regarding the show. One said it was a f'ed up mess, very long walk from registration to entrance, two exhibitors said it is "very, very slow", another said it was dead, guy attending said the food court lacked variety and was practically empty. Weather forecasters are still predicting snow for tomorrow, that'll be a good excuse if this turns out really bad. I've been told that table sales for evening banquets are much less than anticipated, likely be some bargain auction hunts in the online auctions. I think this move was an incredibly bad decision, time will tell how bad or good it was. I'm hoping for the best but expecting something less.

I was very fearful that things would play out as you describe. Today, I’ve reached out to a few exhibitors that I know but have not heard back and I fear no news is bad news. I’m scheduled to fly into Atlanta mid afternoon tomorrow and attend the show Saturday, although, I’m skeptical that my flight will go forward without major hitches. DSC might try to blame the weather for a suboptimal outcome but given the skepticism many exhibitors had with the move to Atlanta, I doubt they’ll accept that excuse…

I am traveling today . I have gotten a bunch of messages. Universally , people are saying it is slow or empty .

I have hear miscellaneous other complaints/observations . Long walk from one of the hotels. A 12 minute walk from check in to the entrance . No food at one of the hotels . Very low turn out for the ladies luncheon .

I think the weather is a problem. I also hear it is snowing in Dallas. Friday is supposed to be the worst weather the last I heard

I just checked in with an African outfitter friend and he said the show is dead slow.

We were at the show in Atlanta all day today. I’ve been going to DSC for the last 30 years, I’ve never seen it this dead.

From an attendee standpoint it was very easy to walk around the hall and to talk to exhibitors with the crowd so low.

Five or six of the outfitters told us this year was a trial run for Atlanta, and they will not be back next year.

Several exhibitors complained about the duration of the switch. Some said they were not doing this show for 4 more years.

I spent the day there. We got there at 10:30. It was near empty (which was great for us). Lunch was weak, very little food options. After lunch people came in and by the time I left around 4, there was a lot more people. It wasn't as many as when I went in Dallas, but wasn't "dead" by any means.

Hopefully weekend will pick up after the weather.


That was my first time at that venue, it's a really nice building. Much better than Dallas facility in my opinion.


Best wishes for the next few days.

Just heard from a friend staying at the Omni, tried to order room service and the QR code for room service wouldn’t work, no phone number listed for room service and front desk was no help. Said it took an hour and 30 minutes to get a hamburger and fries. Won’t be staying for all days.
South African friends said today was a disaster and are really concerned about remaining days and possible bad weather.

I spent the full day at the show, then went to the evening banquet. Compared to Thursdays in Dallas, it was slow. But the weather may be having an impact. I ate lunch with three hunters from Georgia, none of whom had ever been to a DSC convention. So there's that. Since there's a winter storm warning here for tomorrow, I'd guess it will be slow again.

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Just heard from a friend staying at the Omni, tried to order room service and the QR code for room service wouldn’t work, no phone number listed for room service and front desk was no help. Said it took an hour and 30 minutes to get a hamburger and fries. Won’t be staying for all days.
South African friends said today was a disaster and are really concerned about remaining days and possible bad weather.

Bloody hell!

This is utterly unacceptable!

I attended the show today, it was slow but I used it to my advantage, able to talk to several outfitters. Booked a hunt for my wife and I to Uganda. Talked to 3 or 4 outfitters about duck and dove in Argentina, a lodge in Guatemala for some fishing. The food vendors was disappointing and the lack of tables to eat at and where they were located. Other than that, I enjoyed it. The event staff were very friendly and helpful.

I think the weather will definitely be a factor. I got a text last night from a friend in TX. His flight was already cancelled due to weather .

Any news when the SACHES will be awarded?

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Any news when the SACHES will be awarded?

Saeed:

If you really like them, I’ll see if I can get you one!

Larry my friend.

Sadly, I am not one of those looking for awards!

If it was up to me, I will eliminate at least 90% of them.

Starting with giving themselves sashes!

I think it is sign of lack of self esteem!

How is a 12 minute walk (from reg to entrance) a bad thing for people who hunt in the bush and walk many miles?

quote:

Originally posted by BushPeter:
How is a 12 minute walk (from reg to entrance) a bad thing for people who hunt in the bush and walk many miles?

Well, if you happen to rely on a scooter to get around large venues (like the person who told me this) and there are no rental scooters available, a 12 minute walk could be a bad thing.

Just gets worse…Omni guests received this…

“Good Morning Omni Guests! As you may be aware, the City of Atlanta is under a Winter Snow Storm Warning, expecting 5 additional inches of snow today. Many essential services in Atlanta, like public transportation, have been shut down today, leaving some of our associates unable to arrive to work. Our team is working tirelessly to provide a seamless experience for you despite these challenges, and we thank you in advance for your patience during the next 48 hours, as some of our outlets may experience longer than usual wait times. In addition, we be providing slightly limited housekeeping service in your guest room today. This includes removing trash and dirty towels and replacing with clean towels and fresh amenities. If you have a special request, please respond directly to this message and we will be glad to provide assistance. Thank you, and stay safe today!”

I imagine the other hotels are similarly affected.
Too bad for exhibitors and attendees.

Just got back from Switzerland.

Temperature was minus 18 C, which around 0 F.

Snow up to 2 feet falling per day.

All services continued to work!!

The had snow plough machine working all night to clear the roads!!

The problem is that most places in the south are not prepared for this kind of weather .

I buy all my trails cams from a company in the Atlanta area. They have closed their offices due to the weather .

I just heard the SCI/TTHA has secured the KBH convention center for the next 5 years. Who’s responsible for this Atlanta lie?

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
I just heard the SCI/TTHA has secured the KBH convention center for the next 5 years. Who’s responsible for this Atlanta lie?

TTHA in fact has a multi-year contract . I would hate to swear to the number of years .

Someone else will have to answer the DSC question. Clearly someone lied. What is true is that the KBH center is being torn down . It will be years in the future .

Southern states do not have the snow removal equipment available and they usually relied on Mother Nature in the removal of the snow. however it appears that this current spell will take a while to melt the snow.

I was watching a you-tube clip showing the entrance to the DSC convention and the snow has not been removed from the walkways and there were few foot prints in the snow. That is not a good sign.

however, the weather station did not look promising for the next 24 to 48 hours, as more snow was being forecast for the area.

I feel terrible for the exhibitors.

Can you imagine traveling thousands and thousands of miles to have to deal with this!?

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I feel terrible for the exhibitors.

Can you imagine traveling thousands and thousands of miles to have to deal with this!?

I heard the PHASA outfitters were having a meeting with DSC at 10:00AM ET. Waiting to hear the results.

Is the KBHCC issue really a lie or do the TTHA/SCI shows require a smaller venue that they could still accommodate? Also, what could possibly come from a meeting on the current issue between DSC and PHASA? Is someone going to make it stop snowing? You made your decision, paid your money, placed your bet, shit happens, make what you can of it.