The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) Convention and Sporting Expo, “The Sheep Show™” will offer on auction more state, tribal, and provincial permits than anywhere on earth during the February 9-12, 2011 event in Reno, Nevada. In 2010, the sale of special permits alone generated more than $2.4 million for wildlife and habitat earning the WSF convention the reputation as being THE wildlife conservation convention. For the 2011 convention, the WSF expects to generate even more.

The WSF will once again offer sheep and other permits from Alberta to Nevada and Texas to California and nearly every western state, province and tribal nation in between. With the support of our generous auction bidders, attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and donors, the WSF expects to raise more than $5 million in revenue to help wild sheep, and other wildlife across North America and around the globe. Without these all important conservation dollars, many wildlife conservation programs would not exist, limiting hunter opportunity and the quality of wildlife and their habitat. For a complete listing of the special sheep and other permits offered visit www.wildsheepfoundation.org.

Celebrating its 2011 event, the WSF has again partnered with MidwayUSA as the Official Sponsor of the convention. “MidwayUSA’s generous sponsor support demonstrates their recognition of WSF as the premier mountain hunting organization in the world!” Gray Thornton, WSF President & CEO noted on this ongoing partnership.

In addition to the special permits dedicated to state, tribal, and provincial conservation,  the 2011 WSF convention will offer on auction nearly $2 million in hunts, trips, wildlife art,  fine sporting arms, hunting gear, and accessories for the wild sheep and hunting enthusiast. Funds generated at The Sheep Show will help wild sheep conservation efforts throughout North America and the world.

The three-day convention and expo is open to the public, Thursday through Saturday, February 9-12 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Show hours are 10 am – 6 pm Thursday, 10 am – 6 pm Friday and 9 am – 6 pm Saturday. Daily admission is only $15 with $10 off coupons available at Reno-Sparks Cabela’s, Scheels and Sportsman’s Warehouse stores. As an added incentive to attend the show “floor credit” drawings will be offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday for credits valued at $1,000 to $5,000 to be used with Expo exhibitors. Five (5) $1,000 credits will be drawn Thursday, two (2) $2,500 credits drawn Friday and one (1) $5,000 credit Saturday. Attendees must be present to win. Daily passes are available at Expo Registration.

The banquet and live auction events kick off Wednesday evening February 9^th at the Silver Legacy’s Reno Ballroom downtown. WSF will hold their legendary auctions Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. In addition, a Ladies Brunch, International Night party, Ram Awards breakfast and Life Member Breakfast will be held at the Silver Legacy. Other events include a Sporting Clays Shoot with USA Shooting Team members Wednesday morning at Sage Hill Clays, a Sportsman’s Prayer Breakfast Thursday morning and a wine tasting in the expo hall Friday. Visit the Foundation’s website for a full schedule and details on the events.

The Wild Sheep Foundation, formerly the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, was founded in 1977 by sheep and mountain hunting enthusiasts and conservationists. With a membership of more than 10,000 worldwide and a chapter network in North America, WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep, wild goats, other wildlife, and their habitat. Since forming in 1977, the Wild Sheep Foundation has raised and expended more than $80 million on conservation and education programs in North America, Europe and Asia. During 2010 alone the Wild Sheep Foundation raised and put on the ground more than $2.85 million to wildlife conservation and other mission programs.

For a full schedule of events, to register for the annual convention, join as a member or for more information on the Foundation and their many conservation and education programs, please visit www.wildsheepfoundation.org or contact them at 720 Allen Avenue, Cody, Wyoming  82414 USA. Telephone 800-OK-FNAWS. Email info@wildsheepfoundation.org.

The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) is pleased to welcome the 2010 Wild Sheep Foundation’s Annual Sheep Show to Reno Tahoe USA.

“The Wild Sheep Foundation has strong roots in our destination and we are thrilled to officially open this year’s exhibition and show,” said RSCVA President and CEO Ellen Oppenheim. “We look forward to kicking off this long-term partnership and fulfilling it to mutual benefit for many years to come.”

The Wild Sheep Foundation recently signed an agreement to bring its convention and international sporting expo, “Sheep Show,” to Reno for six years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

“We are looking forward to a great week in Reno Tahoe,” said Gray N. Thornton, Wild Sheep Foundation president and CEO. “This year we are expecting increased attendance from last year. We welcome Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe enthusiasts to visit this years show. The event is open to the public and the cost to attend is $15.”

The Wild Sheep Foundation estimates its event will generate 5,000 hotel room nights annually. The organization also estimates that more than 5,000 participants will attend the show. The hotel partners for the January 30 – February 8, 2010 convention are the Silver Legacy Resort Casino and the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. The 2010 event marks the 15th time the group has visited Reno. It is the first time the group will utilize the Reno-Sparks Convention Center because the group has grown in size.

“We selected Reno Tahoe because the destination is focused on hospitality and understands the conservation market,” said Thornton. “The combined support of the RSCVA and the many fine hotel properties makes Reno the ideal place for the Wild Sheep Foundation Convention and International Sporting Expo. We are very pleased to come home to Reno.”

Hours of the show are:
Thurs. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Show is open to the public. Membership in the Wild Sheep Foundation is not required.
Day Pass $15 per person
Membership special is $45

Reno Tahoe has been selected to host three significant conventions beginning in 2012.

Groups bringing their conventions to Reno are the Wild Sheep Foundation, February 2013-2015, Northern California Volleyball Association, April 2012-2017 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, July 2012.

The RSCVA estimates these three groups will generate approximately 76,615 room nights in the destination, attracting nearly 115,000 visitors between 2012 and 2017.

“Reno Tahoe is a great meeting and convention destination, offering something for everyone to enjoy,” said Ellen Oppenheim, RSCVA president and CEO. “During these challenging economic times it is significant that the RSCVA has landed these three pieces of repeat convention business. We are excited to welcome these visitors to the destination and are working very hard to create the best possible experience for them.”

The Wild Sheep Foundation has signed an agreement to bring its convention and international sporting expo, “Sheep Show,” to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in February 2013 and ending in February of 2015. This group had previously signed an agreement to bring its convention to Reno Tahoe in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

“We are very excited to welcome the Wild Sheep Foundation to Reno for the first of six consecutive years,” Oppenheim said. “Having a group book business for this length of time is extraordinary.”

The Wild Sheep Foundation estimates its event will generate 5,000 hotel room nights annually. The organization also estimates that more than 5,000 participants will attend the show. The hotel partners for the January 30 – February 8, 2010 convention are the Silver Legacy Resort Casino and the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. The 2010 event marks the 15th time the group has visited Reno. It is the first time the group will utilize the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

“We selected Reno Tahoe because the destination is focused on hospitality and understands the conservation market,” said Gray N. Thornton, Wild Sheep Foundation president and CEO. “The combined support of the RSCVA and the many fine hotel properties makes Reno the ideal place for the Wild Sheep Foundation Convention and International Sporting Expo. We are very pleased to come home to Reno.”

The Northern California Volleyball Association (NCVA) is currently under contract for April 2011. With this new contract, NCVA will bring its Junior Volleyball Spring Tournament to Reno for six consecutive years beginning in April 2012.  Annually, the NCVA estimates that the Spring Tournament will generate more than 8,000 room nights and attract more than 15,000 participants to the destination annually.

Additionally, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) will host their national convention in Reno in July 2012. This group was previously in Reno Tahoe in 2006. The VFW organization estimates this event will generate more than 13,000 room nights and attract approximately 10,000 participants.

This announcement comes on the heels of Reno Tahoe being selected to host the 2010 USA Volleyball (USAV) Girls’ Junior National Championships. The competition will take place June 24-July 3, 2010 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. This event is expected to generate 40,000 room nights over 10 days.

The USA Volleyball Championship is a major program of USA Volleyball and currently involves 788 teams and spectators. Going into its 31st running, the 2010 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships will attract an estimated 9,500 athletes to Reno Tahoe. The tournament will crown 19 champions in age divisions ranging from 12 to18. Further, the event draws not only thousands of family and friends, but hundreds of college recruiters looking for the next top players for their programs.

The RSCVA is the primary tourism agency supporting convention and tourism business for the Reno Tahoe region.  Reno Tahoe supports unlimited possibilities from outdoor recreation to 24-hour Nevada style gaming and entertainment. For more information about Reno Tahoe call 800-FOR-RENO (800-367-7366) or visit www.VisitRenoTahoe.com.

(PHOTO: Ellen Oppenheim, RSCVA president and CEO, and Gray Thornton, President of the Wild Sheep Foundation, announce the foundation’s commitment to host the convention in Reno Tahoe for six years. Courtesy RSCVA.)