Feb19-22, 2009
- Nashville, Tennessee
NWTF’s 33rd annual Convention and
Sport Show
New Faces On Stage At NWTF Convention
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The National Wild Turkey
Federation is throwing a party in Music
City, and everyone’s invited.
Welcoming guests to Nashville for the NWTF’s
33rd annual Convention and Sport Show will
be NWTF Spokeswoman and First Lady of
Hunting™ Brenda Valentine along with NWTF
Spokesman and “Realtree Roadtrips” star
Michael Waddell. The two say that excitement
is building as wild turkey fanatics from
across the continent make plans to meet for
another action-packed weekend from Thursday,
Feb. 19 to Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at the
Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
“I attended my first NWTF Convention when I
was 17, and I’ve been back every single year
since,” said Waddell. “If you’re
anticipating the 2009 spring turkey season
as much as I am, the NWTF Convention and
Sport Show is one event you definitely don’t
want to miss.”
Valentine said that she was proud to help
host the Convention in her home state of
Tennessee, and that the NWTF’s Convention is
back and better than ever in the Volunteer
State for 2009 – the sixth time in nine
years the NWTF has hosted its Convention in
Music City, and the first of a
seven-year-run through 2015. A recent survey
of the Federation’s members showed they
prefer Nashville as the Convention and Sport
Show destination.
Since its founding in 1973, the NWTF has
made continual advancements in its mission
of wild turkey conservation and protecting
America’s hunting traditions.
“Join myself, Michael and tens of thousands
of your closest friends for a weekend of
fun, camaraderie, patriotism and celebration
of the wild turkey and its conservation
success,” said Valentine.
Waddell and Valentine will emcee Thursday
night’s Welcome Party, which includes
entertainment from multiple gold
record-producing country music artist Blake
Shelton. Other exciting shows include Friday
night’s Wild Turkey Bourbon Bash with
bluegrass trio Second Nature, and Saturday
night’s Awards Banquet featuring the music
of Rhett Akins, Andy Griggs, Daryle
Singletary, plus comedy and music from
award-winning entertainer Paul Harris.
Sunday’s worship service, sponsored by
Remington, will include an inspiring
testimony from Quaker Boy Call Company
Founder Dick Kirby and the uplifting music
of Gary Morris.
“This is just a hint of what’s happening at
this year’s convention,” Waddell said.
“We’ll also have more than four acres of the
latest and greatest hunting products from
the outdoor industry’s best companies in
more than 545 exhibit booths. Simply put, if
you’re looking to score great deals on the
gear you need to get the edge on next
spring’s gobblers, you’ll find them in the
NWTF’s convention exhibit hall.”
Valentine noted that in addition to
top-notch entertainment, the Convention and
Sport Show will feature the Grand National
Calling Contest, the custom callmaking
competition, world-class taxidermy displays,
fun and educational activities for youth at
JAKES Junction, seminars from world-renowned
hunting experts, and exciting live and
silent auctions including a special Ladies’
Hunt Auction.
The NWTF will honor veterans and active duty
servicemen and women during a special
Winchester breakfast on Saturday morning,
which will feature a speech from retired
U.S. Army Gen. B.B. Bell.
“Through this year’s new theme: ‘The Year of
the Volunteer,’ we will also show our
appreciation to the thousands of dedicated
volunteers who have made the NWTF the
successful organization it is today,” noted
Valentine. “We’ll have something fun for
everyone in Nashville this February. Join us
for a brand new show in your favorite
place!”
General admission tickets to the NWTF’s
Convention and Sport Show are just $10 per
day or $25 for a three-day admission badge.
Ticket information for other Convention and
Sport Show events is available at
http://turkey-shoppe.nwtf.org/convention2009.html.
To register, reserve a hotel room, or get
more information about the NWTF’s 33rd
annual Convention and Sport Show, visit
http://www.nwtf.org/special_events/convention.html.
For more information about the NWTF visit
www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF.
2009 NWTF Convention Sponsors:
- Arkansas Game & Fish
Commission
- ATK/Federal Premium
Ammunition
- Bank of America
- BASF
- Bass Pro Shops
- Browning
- Call Makers and Collectors
Association of America
- Chevrolet
- Crescent Cardboard Co., LLC
- Foxy Huntress
- Gaylord Opryland Resort and
Convention Center
- Harrington & Richardson
Company
- Knight Rifles
- Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
- Marlin Firearms Company
- Mathews Archery
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- Motorola
- Nashville Convention and
Visitors Bureau
- National Band and Tag
- O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
- Outdoor Channel
- The Outdoor Connection
- Realtree Outdoor Products,
Inc.
- Remington Arms Company, Inc.
- South Carolina State Chapter
- Tennessee State Chapter
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Agency
- USDA Forest Service
- U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
- Weatherby, Inc.
- Wild Turkey Bourbon
- Winchester Division/Olin
Corp.
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About the NWTF: In 1973, Tom Rodgers
founded the National Wild Turkey Federation
in Fredericksburg, Va., as a national
501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and
education organization with a mission
dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and
preserving hunting traditions. Shortly
thereafter, Rodgers relocated the NWTF to
Edgefield, S.C., where it's still
headquartered today.
At the time NWTF was established, there were
only 1.3 million wild turkeys. Today that
number stands at more than seven million
birds throughout North America, thanks to
the efforts of state, federal and provincial
wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members
and partners.
Growth and progress define the NWTF as it
has expanded from 1,300 members in 1973 to
nearly a half million today. With that
growth has come impressive strides in
wildlife management as the NWTF has forged
dynamic partnerships across the country to
further its conservation mission. Together,
the NWTF's partners, sponsors and grassroots
members have raised and spent more than $279
million upholding hunting traditions and
conserving more than 13.9 million acres of
wildlife habitat.
While wild turkey restoration is nearing
completion, the NWTF still has much work to
do. Across North America, supporters are
working to enhance habitat for wild turkeys
and other wildlife while providing hunters
with more opportunities and access to public
and private land. In addition, NWTF
volunteers and partners are introducing
youth, women and people with disabilities to
the outdoors through special educational
events.
If you would like to become a member of Team
NWTF, join a committee or start a chapter,
please visit our Web site at http://www.nwtf.org
or call us at 800-THE-NWTF. |