By Brian Fienhold – Acting CEO DSC & DSC Foundation
Many industry professionals have asked us, why Atlanta? Plans to demolish and rebuild a new Convention Center in Dallas prompted a search across Texas, and then nationwide for a new short-term home. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas will operate at a greatly reduced capacity over the next couple of years, leading up to full demolition. However, left with a choice of moving venues or dramatically reducing the footprint of the Convention as we all know it, the search was quickly on for a new venue.
Moving one of the largest outdoor shows in the country was no easy task, but Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) quickly became an obvious choice. Atlanta and the GWCC impressed with their world-class facility, hotel selection within one mile of the expo hall, an international airport less than 30 minutes away and their famous Southern hospitality to ensure the DSC Convention will continue to reflect the best in hunting, shooting and the great outdoors again this year.
DSC’s Staff, Board and the army of Volunteers known as the DSC 100 are ready to welcome industry professionals and attendees from all points around the globe. The venue has changed, yet the genuine hospitality and DSC’s commitment to hosting an incredible Convention for our Exhibitor Partners and attendees remain the same.
And what a venue it is!
The GWCC boasts almost a million square-feet of Convention floor space jam-packed with nearly 900 of the world’s finest outfitters, firearms manufacturers, merchandisers, artists, jewelers and so many more. The 2025 Convention features a sold-out exhibit hall with a record number of exhibits, extraordinary auctions directly supporting the DSC mission, an incredible slate of keynote speakers and world-class entertainment to close out the Saturday night banquet! Here’s a little of what’s in-store if you attend:
Once again, DSC will host an Exhibitor Partner Casino Night Welcome Party to truly kick off Convention. Thursday evening’s banquet will feature Michael Waddell, host of Bone Collector airing on the Outdoor Channel, who has built a reputation for being a true American outdoorsman, with a deep connection to hunting, family, and faith. Keeping with that theme, on Friday evening, renowned Marine Corps veteran Joey Jones, a national TV personality and tireless advocate for veterans’ issues, will recount his powerful story of resilience and overcoming adversity.
The Friday Ladies’ Luncheon will feature Julie McQueen, CarbonTV President and CEO. Julie will inspire women attending the Ladies’ Luncheon with her stories of a lifetime dedicated to preserving nature and empowering women in the outdoors. On Saturday night, following the close of the live auction, everyone in attendance will be treated to an intimate performance from award-winning country music artist, Randy Houser.
I encourage each of you to make the journey to Atlanta, January 9-12, 2025, meet up with so many old friends, make some new friends and explore options for your next adventure … all while supporting DSC’s commitment to ensuring the future of science-based wildlife management and our hunting heritage.
All this and so much more still in the final planning stages ensure that the 2025 DSC Convention & Sporting Expo will continue to be the greatest gathering of conservation and hunting enthusiasts!
On behalf of everyone at DSC, I wish each of you a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones and all the best to you for a healthy and prosperous 2025!
The migration is on. See you in Atlanta!