Reno Tahoe Meetings & Conventions

What's Happening Now

Posts Tagged ‘Safari Club International’

Chefs at the Eldorado Prepare for “Feed the Hungry Feast”

WHAT:

Even though the Safari Club International convention isn’t being held in Reno this year the organization is continuing the annual tradition of the “Feed the Hungry Feast.” The Eldorado Hotel Casino will once again prepare the game donated by Safari Club International members for a special wild game feed at the Reno Events Center on Tuesday, January 31 to benefit the needy.

3215413913_9d3119120eWHO:

Eldorado Hotel Casino in partnership with The Salvation Army and Safari Club International members.

WHEN:

Tuesday, January 31 from 5 – 7 p.m.

WHERE:

Reno Events Center

400 North Center Street  Reno, NV 89501

DETAILS:

Safari Club International created the wild game feed as part of their Sportsmen Against Hunger movement, which has prepared and served tens of millions of meals since it was created in 1989. This year the Eldorado is making enough food to feed approximately 2,500 people in the Reno-Sparks community. Those that need a hot meal are invited to the Reno Events Center.

Safari Club International 39th Annual Hunters’ Convention in Reno a Huge Success

Safari Club International announced that its 39th Annual Hunters’ Convention in Reno, Nevada was a huge success. Concluded on January 29, 2011, the convention ranks as the second highest revenue generating SCI Floorconvention ever with more than 18,000 attendees. SCI members generously contributed more than $12 million to support SCI’s advocacy to protect hunting freedoms, to promote international wildlife conservation, and to increase wildlife management education. 

The SCI Annual Hunters’ Convention includes more than 1,100 exhibiting companies, leasing over 650,000 sq. ft of booth spaces. The exhibitors’ generous donations of valuable items for SCI’s auctions ensure that SCI can advocate on behalf of hunters in the United States and at international wildlife forums like CITES. SCI’s Political Action Committee (SCI-PAC) raised nearly $200,000 to advance sportsmen’s interest in federal elections. A special auction for disabled hunters was purchased during the Saturday evening dinner and it raised $150,000 for the SCI Foundation’s Humanitarian Services Programs. 

SCI is also pleased to announce the full list of award recipients at the 39thAnnual Hunters’ Convention. Award winners include members and chapters who display a strong commitment to and have made great contributions to the sport of hunting; displayed a dedication to the conservation of wildlife; have a history of service to the global hunting community, and are committed to SCI’s programs and mission statement to be First for Hunters.

 Major Award Recipients:

SCI ZebraHall of Fame Award – Dennis Anderson

International Hunter Award – Larry Higgins

C.J. McElroy Award– Raleigh Werking

Diana Award – Suzie Brewster

Federal Legislator of the Year – Congressman Dan Boren (OK)

International Legislator of the Year – Ambassador Abdujabbour Shirinov (Tajikistan)

SCI & Cabela’s Young Hunter – Liz Cadell

SCI & Cabela’s Young Hunter – Hunter Chancellor

SCI & Cabela’s Young Hunter – Mitchell Hooker

SCI & Cabela’s Young Hunter – David Sanderson

 

The World Hunting Award Ring Recipients: Jim Shockey, Ricardo Longoria, Deb Cunningham, J. Alan Smith,

John Malloy, Nicholas Franco, Dennis Anderson, James Grimm, Dennis Campbell

Chapter Award Recipients:

Top Gun Award – Alaska Chapter

Diamond Conservation Award – Western & Central New York Chapter

Chapter of the Year:             

51-100 Members – Argentina Chapter

101-250 Members – Golden Gate Chapter

251 or More Members – Flint Regional Chapter

International Chapter – Italian Chapter

Rookie Chapter– Drayton Valley Chapter

Membership Growth – Northeast Indiana Chapter (351 members)

About Safari Club International:

SCI-First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI’s approximately 190 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 18 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home page www.safariclub.org or Call (520) 620-1220 for more information.

 About the Hunters’ Defense Fund: Safari Club International Hunters’ Defense Fund supports the important advocacy, conservation and legal work keeping hunters afield and promoting hunting worldwide.  Donations to the Hunters’ Defense Fund have a direct impact on our freedom to hunt, wildlife conservation policy and important legislative, regulatory and legal issues. DONATE NOW: www.safariclub.org/hunterdefense

Canadian Wildlife Artist Makes American Debut in Reno

Her paintings are soulful and energetic. You can feel the wildlife’s breath as it prepares for battle and hear the stomping of hooves as the animals race off of the canvas.

amy-keller-remppIt comes as a surprise to many that behind these paintings is the vibrant and absolutely delightful 28-year-old Amy Keller-Rempp. Keller-Rempp has been an artist for 18 years, drawing from her love of the outdoors to create realistic paintings of the animals she has admired her entire life.

“I have to give all credit to God for being blessed with this talent since I was a small child,” said Keller-Rempp.

Keller-Rempp grew up in eastern Ontario, Canada, in a very rural community; her family’s home sat on 300 acres of land. Hunting and fishing as a family was part survival, part family-bonding. Creating art around her experiences eventually became a way of healing for Keller-Rempp as a young child.

“I was about seven years old when my dad was diagnosed with MS. The next 14 years were a difficult journey for the family,” Keller-Rempp said. “To get through those years of life, I relied on art and creativity to relieve that stress.”

Keller-Rempp’s father was an avid outdoorsman, the true inspiration for her love of nature, and continued to hunt even from his wheelchair, up through his passing in 2008.

“It came to the point where my father could only leave for deer season. My entire family would get together to make sure he could get out to hunt white-tailed deer in November,” said Keller-Rempp.

It was this very experience that drew Keller-Rempp to Safari Club International.

“I saw that Safari Club International gave the opportunity to the disabled to get out into the wilderness, and I connected with them quickly.”

Among Safari Club International’s (SCI) many humanitarian efforts is the Disabled Hunter program, designed to Disabled Hunterhelp disabled hunters experience the hunting tradition. According to SCI, since 2005, SCI Chapters have provided 1,009 disabled hunters with hunting opportunities. There are more than 555,000 hunters and shooters with disabilities in the United States alone.

“SCI stood out above all the rest to me. The fact that they are diverse and, in addition to helping disabled hunters, give money to schools in South Africa. It’s all over the world,” said Keller-Rempp.

Keller-Rempp first got involved with the SCI chapter in Northern Alberta in 2009, submitting art to the yearly Amy Bighornschapter dinner and banquet. In 2010 Keller-Rempp created an original, acrylic painting of two bighorn sheep. The piece was the highlight of the evening and was live auctioned for an astonishing $12,000, one hundred percent of which was donated to SCI.

“It was an incredible experience; the highlight of my career,” said Keller-Rempp. “I feel very passionate about giving back and this is an appropriate charity and event for me and my lifestyle.”

Following the tremendous success of the Alberta event, discussions arose about showcasing Keller-Rempp’s work in Reno.

“We talked about what was appropriate and decided upon a moose. The images started coming to me even before we finished discussing. I can visualize these paintings before they’re completed every time,” said Keller-Rempp.

Keller-Rempp’s latest piece, titled “King’s Battle,” is her largest painting to date, standing at 48” x 72”. Its showing at the Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada will be the first time Keller-Rempp’s work will appear before an American audience.

“There are so many artists waiting to get in, and I’m so fortunate and blessed. I feel it’s a force bigger than mine and the people involved,” said Keller-Rempp.

Keller-Rempp worked on “King’s Battle” for five weeks. It has safely arrived in Reno and is ready to be part of a four-day auction during Safari Club International.

“I’m honored to be a part of an event that helps shed some light on hunting. Hunting and conservation is huge. For people to have the opportunity to learn about different animals; the science, biology, animal control, repopulation, disease control. To have all of this information on hand is incredible,” said Keller-Rempp.

You can see Keller-Rempp’s piece, “King’s Battle,” during Safari Club International Annual Hunters’ Convention, kings-battle-amy-kellerJanuary 26-29, 2011, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

As for what’s next for Keller-Rempp, she says a busy year is ahead.

“I’m living in Alberta now and have fallen in love with western Canada. I have several shows lined up, including one on February 18 in Fort McMurray, and there are talks of a show on Vancouver Island as well,” said Keller-Rempp. “I will forever be thankful to SCI. They gave me an incredible opportunity, putting my work before so many people, and I will forever be indebted.”

Safari Club International renews relationship with Reno Tahoe

The 38th annual Safari Club International Hunters’ Convention (SCI) has arrived at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC). This is the eighth consecutive year SCI has held its annual convention in Reno Tahoe and the 19th year overall. Additionally, SCI recently announced that they have selected Reno Tahoe to host the 2013 and 2015 shows, extending SCI’s presence in the destination for an additional two years. SCI was previously committed to bring the 2011 Annual Convention to Reno Tahoe.

SCI estimates the 2010 event will generate 21,000 room nights and drawing 23,000 people to Reno Tahoe, up from 20,500 in 2009. More than 50 different countries are represented. The RSCVA estimates the 2010 convention to have a local economic impact of $20 million.

The show features more than 2,000 booths with 1,100 vendors. Additionally, the convention features exhibits, seminars and auctions spread throughout 560,000 square feet of convention space.

SCI first held its convention in Reno at what was then known as Bally’s hotel in 1989 with 2,500 attendees. In 1999, the convention moved to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and attendance increased to 15,500.

According to TradeShow Week Magazine, in 2008 SCI was the 101st largest show in the United States by net square feet.