Sheep Show Returns to Reno
OutdoorHub 06.20.11
Reno, Nevada – The largest mountain hunting and conservation convention in the world, The Sheep Show™, produced by one of the world’s premier wild sheep conservation organizations, the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), announced its return to Reno for the 2012 convention set for January 19-21, 2012 and the return to the Foundation’s original Reno home in 2013 at the Grand Sierra Resort (formerly the Reno Hilton) January 30 – February 2, 2013 creating the largest mountain hunting convention under one roof.
“Our 2011 convention at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and Silver Legacy Resort was a grand success for our exhibitors, attendees and WSF conservation funding goals generating a 43% net increase over the 2010 event” stated Gray N. Thornton, WSF President & CEO. “WSF raised more than $2.6 million for state, provincial and tribal partners from special tags and permits alone and more than an additional $1 million net for WSF and WSF partner programs” Thornton noted.
WSF enjoyed a two-and-a-half-fold increase in overall 2011 convention attendance over 2010 through an aggressive marketing campaign supported by MidwayUSA, the Official Sponsor of the Wild Sheep Foundation, as well as its Reno-Sparks regional retailer sponsors, Cabela’s, Scheels and Sportsman’s Warehouse. This success and the support of WSF members, guests, exhibitors, donors and sponsors enabled WSF to raise and put on the ground more than $3.2 million towards mission programs during the 2010-2011 fiscal year which ends June 30th.
“The very successful 2011 convention set the stage for an expected record 2012 event at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and Silver Legacy Resort venues. “We look forward to returning to Reno again in 2012 and are pleased to announce that WSF will in 2013 host the Sheep Show™ under one roof at the Grand Sierra Resort now under new ownership” noted Thornton. “The Grand Sierra Resort property was the home for the Sheep Show™ for nearly two decades. We look forward to the January 30 – February 2, 2013 homecoming event as well as our upcoming 2012 show in Reno” Thornton stated.
Nevada is home to nearly 10,000 bighorn sheep – more than any other state. This conservation success is due the exceptional work of Nevada wild sheep advocates, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited and Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn, Nevada Department of Wildlife and other WSF partners. Nevada is the fitting home to WSF’s annual convention and sporting expo The Sheep Show™.WSF looks forward to welcoming Nevadans and hunter/conservationists from throughout North America and the world to the open-to-the-public shows in 2012 and 2013.
The Wild Sheep Foundation, formerly the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS,) was founded in 1977 by wild sheep conservationists and enthusiasts. With a membership of more than 8,000 worldwide and a chapter network in North America, WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep, wild goats, other mountain wildlife, and their habitat. Since forming in 1977, the Wild Sheep Foundation and it’s chapters and affiliates have raised and expended more than $85 million on conservation, education and conservation advocacy programs in North America, Europe and Asia. These and other efforts have resulted in a five-fold increase in bighorn sheep populations in North America from their historic 1950-70s lows.
For more information on the Foundation, its 2012 and 2013 Conventions in Reno, Nevada and their many conservation and education programs, please visitwww.wildsheepfoundation.org or contact them at 720 Allen Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414 USA. Telephone 307-527-6261 or 800 OK FNAWS. Emailinfo@wildsheepfoundation.org. Follow us on Facebook™ facebook.com/wild sheep foundation.
Contact:
Gray Thornton (307) 527-6261 or info@wildsheepfoundation.org
