Who knew Safari Club International was such a big deal? Reno leaders – that’s who
SCI to bring 23,000 to Reno and make $16 million economic impact
Amelia Calvert, reno.com
January 23, 2008
The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, community leaders and big businesses have made a brilliant and lucrative move by courting Reno’s largest convention for the last six years and contracting it to return through 2010.
According to estimates reported by the RSCVA and SCI, the four-day convention will bring 23,000 visitors to Reno, book 27,500 hotel rooms and make an economic impact of about $16 million when all is said and done.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport added 17 additional flights, or about 3,000 airline seats in and out of Reno to make sure SCI attendees could make the trip, according to Krys T. Bart, president and CEO of Reno-Tahoe International Airport Authority.
With 11% of SCI members licensed pilots, some members flew themselves to the convention and the airport made accommodations for their aircraft. Additional customer service reps in Safari attire were added at the airport to assist arriving members.
Bart said she is “thrilled” to have the SCI back in Reno at a press conference Jan. 22 at Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Ellen Oppenheim, president and CEO of the RSCVA, welcomed SCI back to Reno for its 17th visit. The 400,000 square-foot convention center will be brimming with activity – 1,100 exhibitors from 48 countries offering seminars, displays, trips, goods and auctions, to the outdoor elite from Jan. 23 – 26. She described organizing the event as collaboration, with a significant and sustained effort from the community.
Dennis Anderson, president of SCI, said Reno has been the best of any of the venues used for the annual hunter’s convention. Attendance has increased every year and SCI is looking forward to its biggest event in history. “Reno is a success for us. The people in Reno, in general, welcome us with open arms.”
printer friendly
email this story
