Hunting preserve owners, operators and their staff gathered at the second NAGA Hunting Club Conference and provided feedback as the sold-out event ended in Manhattan, Kansas. One message was universal: They want more....
The conference, which doubled in size from the inaugural event held in Ohio, was supported by industry partners and headlined by NSSF – The Firearm Industry Trade Association (NSSF), the event’s Title Sponsor. The interactive event provided presentations on the impact of avian flu on preserves, strategies to improve digital operations and social media marketing and also covered a wide swath of topics that ranged from operations in the field, retail management and online resources.
Featured presenters included Lt. General Perry Wiggins (retired), Kansas State Veterinarian Dr. Sara McReynolds, NSSF’s Justin Morrissey and a group of industry experts from Romeo Bravo Software (a Platinum Sponsor of the event).
The conference closed with a facilitated session, in which attendees provided input to the North American Gamebird Association on how the organization can best meet their needs and feedback on the conference itself. The common theme of the closing session was the desire of the group to gather again in 2024 and to continue to grow the size of the conference and the membership in NAGA.
NAGA President Peg Ballou believes the key to the success of the conference is that it’s a group effort.
“The model for the Hunting Club Conference is a meeting exclusively for hunting preserves designed by hunting preserves,” she said. “There’s great engagement in this meeting because there’s real buy in and ownership. It’s both a welcoming and incredibly helpful atmosphere,” said Peg.
“The Hunting Club Conference is an affordable event with a packed agenda, coupled with many opportunities to network and develop relationships with others who experience the same challenges,” explained Conference Chairman Mike Martz.
NAGA expresses its great appreciation for all conference sponsors who made the event possible and successful. Additional sponsors include Diamond Sponsors: Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club and Flying B Ranch; Gold Sponsor: Wild Wings of Oneka; Silver Sponsors: Beavers Game Farm, MacFarlane Pheasants, Martz’s Game Farm and the University of Auburn’s Wildlife Enterprise Management Program; and Bronze Sponsors JH Ward Assured Partners and Kent Nutrition Group.
NAGA will gather next in Orlando, Florida, at the Holiday Inn Disney Springs for its annual convention on January 22-24, 2024. Stay tuned for more information about the convention and future Hunting Club Conferences as we make announcements via email and our website – NorthAmericanGamebird.com.
