I just saw the result of the directors election. The winners are: Rebecca Jones, Jay Leyendecker and Russell Stacy.

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
I just saw the result of the directors election. The winners are: Rebecca Jones, Jay Leyendecker and Russell Stacy.

Are these of the old school normal people or from the SASHES lot??

Things won’t get any better .

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
I just saw the result of the directors election. The winners are: Rebecca Jones, Jay Leyendecker and Russell Stacy.

Shocking Results!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:

quote:

And as far as I can remember, it was because of a nasty character here who was threatening members with all sorts of physical violence.

Bring back Rich the Idaho Sharpshooter!!!!

I thought Rich was pushing up the daisies?

Or hunting dinosaurs with a slingshot!

Or shooting his 100th 350inch bull elk.

We never learn.

We have certain members here who are proving that every day!

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
I just saw the result of the directors election. The winners are: Rebecca Jones, Jay Leyendecker and Russell Stacy.

Big surprise! Now the have an inclusivity and diversity expert on the board, I’m sure that will benefit the members and further the club mission. The two not elected by the members will be placed in voting positions as well. Nothing will change for the better. Shame, too.

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
I just saw the result of the directors election. The winners are: Rebecca Jones, Jay Leyendecker and Russell Stacy.

Big surprise! Now the have an inclusivity and diversity expert on the board, I’m sure that will benefit the members and further the club mission. The two not elected by the members will be placed in voting positions as well. Nothing will change for the better. Shame, too.

Haha. Jay is the only one from the slate who got my vote.

Correct, much more of the same.

I did learn a few things at the meeting. The new CEO said some promising things and admitted Atlanta was a flop. The buyout would be $3.7M. Houston will host in 2028 with Dallas as an option if KBHCC completed. They are hoping to make the show more attendee friendly. I understand it was very disjointed and tough to navigate. The Atlanta show brought in $2M less than projected.


DSC had a 50% attrition rate for exhibitor renewals. We, as in Miles and Miles, are one of those opting out. We are just going to do the Dallas SCI/TTHA show and expand our booth footprint.

I wish them the best. As Larry said, I don’t think I would join the organization now as a life member with the current state of things. It is not the same organization as I remember my father taking me to events when I was a child. The new CEO has a lot of work to do. I believe he said Thursday night was his 73rd day on the job.

I question how DSC intends on being at Kay Bailey in 2028 if construction is complete… or anytime before 2031 for that matter?

TTHA/SCI announced in January that they had secured Kay Bailey for the next 5 years.

quote:

Originally posted by mdwest:
I question how DSC intends on being at Kay Bailey in 2028 if construction is complete… or anytime before 2031 for that matter?

TTHA/SCI announced in January that they had secured Kay Bailey for the next 5 years.

Didn't I read that they were trying to adjust the dates of the DSC Convention to bring it closer to SCI's? Something about making so outfitters had less dead time between the shows.

quote:

Originally posted by mdwest:
I question how DSC intends on being at Kay Bailey in 2028 if construction is complete… or anytime before 2031 for that matter?

TTHA/SCI announced in January that they had secured Kay Bailey for the next 5 years.

There may well be days available other than the TTHA days .

And here is the latest update from the DSC CEO, just received this morning - next two years in Atlanta, then to Houston:

To Our Valued Partners,

It is hard to believe it is already March 24 and that Q1 of 2025 is almost complete. I want to apologize for such a long gap from my last update on January 21 where I promised to have details on the future of the DSC Convention for the next 5 years by early February. The process has proven to be more complex and fluid than I would have ever imagined, but I’m pleased to now provide some context and details regarding our Convention plans.

Since the Atlanta Convention, the entire DSC team has taken on the monumental task of changing what the next 5 years of DSC Convention will look like. We started this process by encouraging and facilitating input from various convention stakeholders including Exhibitor Partners, sponsors, DSC members, as well as from our DSC board. Listening is key to solution-management, and we have made it a point to be receptive and to consider the broad input from these important parties.

Communication, engagement, and transparency were all the things I promised in my last email. The dynamic, ever-changing details regarding possible dates, venues, and associated items stymied my ability to provide updates that contained reliable substance. I was reluctant to share information that might be speculative and that lacked the degree of certainty that you all deserve, and that DSC deserves, but in retrospect, it’s apparent that those delays created its own frustrations for many, while also creating misinformation through the rumor mill, and for those things I offer my apologies.

For additional context, it’s important to know that we formed an Exhibitor-Partner Committee comprised of approximately 50 of DSC’s longest-standing exhibitors to help guide us in making the best decisions possible in moving forward. From the meetings with these partners, the message was clear – “Get back to Texas ASAP.” Other central, keystone pieces of feedback we heard included requests on date changes, possible venue locations, and affiliated costs. In addition to contemplating the “buy-out” costs of our 5-year contract(s) in Atlanta, which is in the millions of dollars, we turned over virtually every stone regarding venue options (large and otherwise) in Texas and available dates during the first quarter of the next 5 years. All relevant features have been taken into consideration regarding what’s possible and what’s best for our partners, stakeholders, and for DSC. I am announcing today that DSC Convention will be in Atlanta for the next two years (2026 & 2027) and WILL RETURN TO TEXAS in 2028, 2029 and beyond. Here is what the next 5-year runway looks like regarding DSC Convention.

2026 Atlanta Show Dates:
Friday to Sunday (2/6/2026 to 2/8/2026)​
2027 Atlanta Show Dates:
Thursday to Sunday (1/7/2027 to 1/10/2027)​
2028 Houston Show Dates:​
Friday to Sunday (1/28/2028 to 1/30/2028)
2029 Houston Show Dates:
Thursday to Sunday (2/15/2029 to 2/18/2029)
2030 Houston Show Dates:
Thursday to Saturday (1/24/2030 to 1/26/2030)

To ensure success of the 2026 and 2027 convention in Atlanta, we have renegotiated with the Georgia World Congress Center various items that address concerns brought forward by our exhibitor partners. A few of the most noteworthy changes include a different hall location that connects to the Signia by Hilton, as well as a date change that provides greater calendar and cost efficiencies for exhibitors who participate in multiple, similar convention events in the U.S.

It was clear that Exhibitor Partners wanted more flexibility to decide which shows to attend. DSC will not penalize exhibitors who do not wish to sign a multi-year booth agreement, and those that opt out will not be penalized for future shows. However, we are developing a robust exhibitor-partner incentive program to reward those who remain loyal throughout the Atlanta show dates (Details to Follow).

It’s also important to know that we feel we are in a much better position this year to understand how to apply our robust marketing budget for Atlanta to ensure that those dollars squarely hit our most fertile target markets. To elevate this marketing capacity and success, we have retained services of The Moore Group, a globally recognized firm that represents the 10 largest non-profits in the U.S. and 84 of the top 100. Having the reach and services of The Moore Group is a game-changer for creating high visibility for DSC convention, helping drive traffic to the event. We are pleased to also announce that The Moore Group is retained to assist with the promotions with this year’s July DSC Summer Gala being held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, TX, minutes from DFW Airport, which will allow those efforts to accrue momentum and create synergies as we approach our Atlanta convention. This unique “one-two” punch will benefit both events and will ultimately benefit our exhibitors and sponsors.

DSC is also looking for ways engage with like-minded organizations across Texas and the country to strengthen and promote conservation initiatives and foster a spirit of cooperation. We will continue to look for common ground with organizations and partner with these groups where appropriate. We recently consummated a strategic partnership with the NRA, and while not traditional partners, both organizations share common interests. I feel the massive reach of NRA will help further DSC’s goals of Conservation, Education and Advocacy, and that these DSC conservation tenets will benefit NRA with their important work, creating beneficial synergies that are needed in the broad hunting/conservation space.

I want to express my sincere appreciation for everyone involved with DSC for their valuable input and patience throughout this important process. Our DSC exhibitors, sponsors, members, and other supporters are the lifeblood of this great organization. With your continued support, the vibrant health of DSC will allow us to strongly deploy our global work for the benefit of hunters and conservation. Thank you for your loyalty and patience as we march forward.

Sincerely,


Rob McCanna
CEO DSC and DSC Foundation

Probably about as good as could reasonably be expected. In my mind this does prove that TX options were available at the time the decision was made to move to Atlanta.

I am sure that cancelling those last 3 years is going to cost them a pretty penny.

There is a definite change in some important matters. Previously, exhibitors were told they had to renew by some date certain (I think 3/1) or they were booted. They have changed that now. This tells me the fallout from the Atlanta debacle was worse than anticipated.

I doubt I will go to Atlanta. Too early to know my schedule.

I went to DSC last year and SCI this year only because I got snowed out like a lot of us.

I enjoyed SCI but DSC feels more like the "everyman" convention and I had more fun. Weather cooperating I will hit Atlanta but only because I have a ton of Delta miles and its a cheap flight.

I agree that this response is about as good as could be expected. It is a shame that DSC decided to move to Atlanta, and more of a shame that they lied about "having" to move the convention. The number of attendees they had in Atlanta could have easily fit in several venues in Texas. It is also a shame that those responsible for this incredibly poor decision are still in charge, I don't expect things will get any better under their leadership. They have; however, hired a pretty powerful firm (The Moore Group) to help with trying to position things in a positive manner, a quick look at the firms client list shows they have some big name companies (including Anhauser-Busch, wonder if they were part of the Bud Light fiasco or just part of trying to do damage control)? I would bet that this firm doesn't work cheaply, I'll also bet some of the board members who have been there for more than a year or two are questioning the firing of Safari Classics, Tim and Dave did a much better job of promoting the convention and other activities than the people that they chose as their replacement.
As Larry stated, exhibitors were pressured to pay in full by 3/1/2025 for the upcoming show, now that has all changed and it makes me wonder if some of those that did pay in full just to keep their booth space will now back out of going to Atlanta, since they won't lose their place? I've heard from one that is considering doing just that. It would have been enlightening if they had explained just what a "strategic partnership" might be, and who might be members of the "Exhibitor-Partner Committee", hopefully they will do a better job than convention selection committee did. The next few weeks will be interesting to see what, if anything informative comes out. As a past president I am entitled to sit in on board meetings, and I might just do that to hear what is happening with this (unless they kick me out ).

Karl,

From my perspective, I hope you do sit in on meetings and report, but realize that puts you in an uncomfortable position. I'm a life member so I'm stuck with it, but really didn't like the path they were taking. I just felt moving to Atlanta was the wrong move and it was a disaster. I'm sorry to see them not getting back to Texas for the next two years and not sure I'll ever go to Atlanta. The dates once they do return to Texas are interesting too. One is really late and the other is really early. I hope that doesn't affect attendance by exhibitors. Keep us posted, Karl.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Karl,

From my perspective, I hope you do sit in on meetings and report, but realize that puts you in an uncomfortable position. I'm a life member so I'm stuck with it, but really didn't like the path they were taking. I just felt moving to Atlanta was the wrong move and it was a disaster. I'm sorry to see them not getting back to Texas for the next two years and not sure I'll ever go to Atlanta. The dates once they do return to Texas are interesting too. One is really late and the other is really early. I hope that doesn't affect attendance by exhibitors. Keep us posted, Karl.

I really would like to learn what the thought process was in making the decision that cost the club a whole lot of money, and still counting, and damaged their standing with exhibitors and members. Probably wouldn’t get straight answers but wouldn’t hurt to ask.
If I do attend some of the meetings, there is an expectation of confidentiality which I would abide by. But, I’m sure there are things that might be helpful to the club to pass along. We’ll see.

They just put out a video of a podcast. It is lengthy.

They acknowledge some issues. I agree with some. I think some is total BS.

I watched part of the podcast, whoever wrote the script for this could have done a much better job, I hope it wasn't the high-powered PR firm they hired, I would expect better. The CEO tried to make excuses for the piss poor convention, blaming the weather (partly true), the previous CEO and the previous board for not being responsive enough on convention venue changes...easy to pass blame, but it looks like all but one of the previous board are current board members! Maybe he didn't realize that and maybe they shouldn't be. Some KBHCC employees have a slightly different version of events, they say KBHCC tried to work with DSC and that they would make every accommodation possible, current CEO can't be held responsible for that part.
He said he stayed with his previous employer until 12/31/24 and didn't know everything that was going on with convention. I believe he was hired in early November, plenty of time to get up to speed on the phone, email or ZOOM. I do think that had he reached out to those really running the show that he would have been fed a big line of BS about how Atlanta was the only (best) choice and that everything was going to be fine, record breaking; if that was the case I don't see how he could trust further information from them without verifying. The DSC website shows the same convention chairs again for next year, either they don't want to give up control or no one wants to do it. Either way it doesn't look good. I would like to see an interview with someone that wasn't a likely grant recipient, questions might be a bit more pointed and in depth.
One thing I didn't see (admittedly, I didn't watch the entire thing) was the CEO doing what a leader is supposed to do and accept responsibility, I think a statement like "We fu**ed up and we are going to fix it" and detail the fix would show true leadership and go a long way to repairing a very messed up situation. As always, if I am in error, I will make corrections.

Regardless of your thoughts on sashes or awards or the mess they created for all of us in the ATL move, orgs like DSC, SCI, RMEF, and on and on need our support.

I am not saying give blindly, but we need these groups as advocates to what we all like to do. SCI seems to have turned themselves around, DSC will likely do it as well but will take time.

Other groups advocate for hunting and for us in ways we cannot. We need to support them rather than sit on the porch and throw rocks.

I am a member of Wild Sheep. My sheep days are over but they still do a great job.

There are virtually no other international groups that do what our groups in the USA can do. That is due to laws, regulation and lack of hunting opportunities. Most places do not have the hunter numbers the USA and Canada have. I know NZ, Australia and some places in Europe have some - but none with the clout the ones in the USA have.

Same goes for the NRA. They went off the rails with bad leadership, but will recover.

Even websites have bad leadership, but can manage to right themselves with the right kind of support.

Be part of the solution, not the problem. You are like not a democrat so you know what I am talking about.

Sad to see what has happened to DSC. I would have never predicted this result five years ago. That said, I have always felt that the hunting sector is over populated with alphabet soup organizations representing disparate groups, e.g., DU, RMEF, HSC, DSC, SCI, QC, WSF, WTF, MDF, etc. Each with their own staff and overhead. Each with their own agenda, priorities and donor base. And while there may be some overlap, there is also competition for funding, attention to issues, etc. Perhaps the best thing that could come out of this whole mess would be for DSC to ultimately be absorbed into SCI. When the NRA was actually working, before it was internally corrupted, it showed that size (dollars and members) and unity of message can be effective and carry a big stick. Frankly, I would speculated that exactly the opposite was likely to have happened five years ago . . . that SCI would succumb to DSC . . . but SCI seems to have the ship headed in the right direction and DSC seems a ship taking on water.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Sad to see what has happened to DSC. I would have never predicted this result five years ago. That said, I have always felt that the hunting sector is over populated with alphabet soup organizations representing disparate groups, e.g., DU, RMEF, HSC, DSC, SCI, QC, WSF, WTF, MDF, etc. Each with their own staff and overhead. Each with their own agenda, priorities and donor base. And while there may be some overlap, there is also competition for funding, attention to issues, etc. Perhaps the best thing that could come out of this whole mess would be for DSC to ultimately be absorbed into SCI. When the NRA was actually working, before it was internally corrupted, it showed that size (dollars and members) and unity of message can be effective and carry a big stick. Frankly, I would speculated that exactly the opposite was likely to have happened five years ago . . . that SCI would succumb to DSC . . . but SCI seems to have the ship headed in the right direction and DSC seems a ship taking on water.

SCI has monumentally changed and changed for the better. No organization is perfect, but SCI has gone a very long way to correct past problems. I still hate the awards, but I get it. They are not for me personally. However, there is a segment of the membership that they appeal to.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Regardless of your thoughts on sashes or awards or the mess they created for all of us in the ATL move, orgs like DSC, SCI, RMEF, and on and on need our support.

I am not saying give blindly, but we need these groups as advocates to what we all like to do. SCI seems to have turned themselves around, DSC will likely do it as well but will take time.

Other groups advocate for hunting and for us in ways we cannot. We need to support them rather than sit on the porch and throw rocks.

I am a member of Wild Sheep. My sheep days are over but they still do a great job.

There are virtually no other international groups that do what our groups in the USA can do. That is due to laws, regulation and lack of hunting opportunities. Most places do not have the hunter numbers the USA and Canada have. I know NZ, Australia and some places in Europe have some - but none with the clout the ones in the USA have.

Same goes for the NRA. They went off the rails with bad leadership, but will recover.

Even websites have bad leadership, but can manage to right themselves with the right kind of support.

Be part of the solution, not the problem. You are like not a democrat so you know what I am talking about.

Blind support doesn’t work!

The NRA is a perfect example!

Whenever anyone complained before, they were told to mind their own business!

With things are gong wrong, we should stand against them.

I’m watching it now. Rob seemed like a nice guy at the annual meeting. For him to hang on until 1/1/2025 is ridiculous, but the convention chairs were running things anyway.

I think the last time I put in notice when I worked for someone, they did keep me on until the end because the business needed me. Maybe Rob was dealing with SHOT, but he was already gone.

I’m only halfway through, but the host is leading with questions and it’s obviously scripted, but he does ask proper questions.

I would love to see Dave Fulson interview Rob. Better yet, I’d love to see Dave interview the BoD.

I also want to know who made up the 50 exhibitors to be consulted with going forward. I know we weren’t as a 25 year exhibitor and donor, but we also had a booth at SCI/TTHA. Maybe it was because our booth in Atlanta was packed up Saturday afternoon before closing.

quote:

Originally posted by DCS Member:
I’m watching it now. Rob seemed like a nice guy at the annual meeting. For him to hang on until 1/1/2025 is ridiculous, but the convention chairs were running things anyway.

I think the last time I put in notice when I worked for someone, they did keep me on until the end because the business needed me. Maybe Rob was dealing with SHOT, but he was already gone.

I’m only halfway through, but the host is leading with questions and it’s obviously scripted, but he does ask proper questions.

I would love to see Dave Fulson interview Rob. Better yet, I’d love to see Dave interview the BoD.

I’d pay good money to see Dave interview this guy.

Hell will freeze over first.

After this latest public confession of guilt and stupidity, do they really expect to maintain or increase membership or sponsorship?

Not for my money.