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I Had a Wild Time in Nashville
I’ve just returned from my second Safari Club International (SCI) convention in Nashville, TN. My trip was shorter than I’d liked - my IWF and client duties come first - but I made the most of my 24 hours in Music City.
SCI, if you didn’t know, is one of the most impactful pro-hunting nonprofits out there. Their mission is to defend the freedom to hunt and promote wildlife conservation worldwide.
Nashville is the new home of their annual convention. The location selection makes sense: the majority of U.S. hunters reside within a couple hour drive or plane ride to Tennessee’s capital city.
I arrived at the tail-end of the show but packed in several events and interviews with the time I had. Unlike last year, I could explore the show floor and see more exhibitors. I first ran into HALO Hunting’s Henry and Lakeisha Woodard and grabbed a quick interview with them.
I then headed to the floor to interview two outfitters - LOH Outfitters in NM and El Dorado Outfitters - for my video report.
Before heading to a Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation reception, I ran into my friend and longtime SCI member/advocate Stephanie Spika Hickey - who is literally Super Mom. I finally met her adorable twins, Declan and Rowan. Aren’t they SO cute?
Afterwards, I walked to the nearby Omni Hotel to attend a CSF reception. CSF, like SCI, is one of the best pro-sportsmen/women groups out there. There, I caught up with House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and some colleagues and friends from the policy world.
Rep. Westerman spoke on behalf the Congressional Sportsmen Caucus and discussed how the committee is protecting the right to hunt and fish and fighting bad policies like Natural Asset Companies and the Department of Education defunding hunters education courses in K-12.
Also in attendance: I spotted SCI Legislator of the Year Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS).
Following the reception, some friends and fellow Professional Outdoor Media Association Board Members - Kevin Paulson, Britney Booth, and Zack Vucurevich- headed to dinner nearby at Bakersfield for a catch-up and pre-birthday celebration for Zack.
Afterwards, I returned to my hotel to refreshen up for the Barstool Outdoors x SCI After Hours party at Tin Roof on Broadway. I’ve never seen a street bustling with life and activity in my life. And I’ve been to NYC and Vegas plenty of times. Ha. I could have done without bachelorettes fainting near my feet but then it wouldn’t be Broadway, right?
I arrived at the party and settled at a table with some folks from CSF and South Carolina State Rep. Bobby Cox - a great Second Amendment/ hunting advocate who also is SIG SAUER’s VP of Government Affairs. Then more friends started to pop by and chat. Barstool and SCI tapped this great band from Rep. Cox’s state, Winyah, to liven the party. Here’s the band covering Bob Dylan’s All Along the Watchtower - which was popularized by Jimi Hendrix:
I was able to grab pictures with Cable Smith of Lone Star Outdoor Show, former USFWS Director and current Louisiana DEQ Director Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto, Lauren Hill of Second Amendment Foundation, and E.C. Wheatley of The Herald Group (who deserves MAJOR kudos for a job well done handling press credentials and event support).
I also got to meet Barstool Outdoors host, Sydnie Wells, who was very sweet and welcoming, and, unbeknownst to me, sat at a table near country singer-songwriter and avid hunter Riley Green. (Yes, ladies, he’s even more handsome in-person.) He kept a low profile but didn’t shy away from snapping a couple pictures with fans in attendance. And he wasn’t the only country singer to attend the show: Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Chase Rice, and countless others were featured on SCI’s social media.
The next morning, I returned to the convention center to record an episode of my friend Kristy Titus’ Wild and Uncut podcast ahead of the Ladies Mix and Mingle event. Our episode will be a must-listen, I promise!
At the Ladies Mix & Mingle, I caught up with Mary O’Neill Phillips - co-host of Country Outdoors - and Colorado conservationist and writer/podcaster Mia Anstine and her daughter and photographer Lea Leggitt.
This is the first SCI vertical from me this week. Tomorrow, you’ll hear me discuss the convention on District of Conservation. I intend to release a complete vlog on YouTube full of interviews by Wednesday/Thursday. And by Friday, coverage will culminate with a Townhall column discussing the more political aspects of the show.
Stay tuned!
District of Conservation
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—Gabriella