By Mike Gorrell
The Salt Lake Tribune
As the owner of Barnes Bullets in American Fork, Randy Brooks is perpetually going to a gun show here, a hunting expo there.
Nevertheless, he is especially excited about participating in the inaugural Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, a four-day extravaganza projected to draw 30,000 people to the Salt Palace Convention Center Wednesday through Sunday.
"It's a big day for us and a big day for our company," Brooks said, citing the opportunity to share Salt Palace space with a collection of the most prestigious organizations in the hunting world, including the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, the Mule Deer Foundation, Sportsmen for Habitat and the Utah-based Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife.
"It's a big day for wildlife in Utah to bring these groups together and attract this many people to our city and state," he added. "We'll have people from all over the world here."
The list of 550 exhibitors whose booths will pack the expanded Salt Palace includes a handful of companies from New Zealand. Companies offering African safaris are represented, along with outfitters and guides from Mexico and Spain, Canada and Argentina.
Numerous U.S. states known for their wildlife will be represented, as well as private hunting-oriented companies and state agencies that govern wildlife resources.
For Brooks, the convention might provide some walk-up business as crowds meander through the array of booths. But the main benefit, he said, will be long-term. "If we can promote wildlife in the state, that promotes our company nationwide. And the bulk of our business - simply because of sheer population numbers - is across the country and around the world."
Sportsman's Warehouse, a retail chain with four stores in Utah and close to 60 in 25 other states, signed on as a sponsor because of the potential to secure more business from near and far.
Randy Gregersen, manager of the Sportsman's Warehouse store in Midvale, said the high volume of foot traffic projected to flow through the Salt Palace should "familiarize a lot of people to the fact that we have four stores in Utah and get them excited about outdoor activities."
But he also hopes his company can make an impression on the well-heeled hunters expected to fly into Salt Lake City for a shot at one of the 200 available trophy hunting permits.
"This is more of a high-end show than the [annual spring] International Sportsmen's Expo," said Gregersen. "This is just the first year of the show but we're hoping it's a success."
Gary Stringham will be one of the exhibitors, promoting both the Little Red Creek CWMU (Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit), where he can lead hunters in pursuit of deer, elk and moose, and his Tabby Mountain Ranch.
The latter, on the south slopes of the Uinta Mountains, soon will have an 11,000-square-foot lodge that Stringham maintains will be a great jumping-off point for hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. It also will be equipped with archery ranges, paintball courses and meeting rooms for corporate retreats.
And with so many other enticing recreational outings being promoted all around him, Stringham intends to be a buyer, as well as a seller. "Because I'm an avid hunter and fly fisher, I'll try to line up a trip for me and my family," he said.
Dean Schulte, owner of High Uintas Taxidermy in Coalville, said he never can tell if a show will generate much business. But he has fairly high hopes heading into this one.
"It will broaden our exposure and, hopefully, somebody you give a brochure to will come back to you," he said. "Because of what's being offered with the trophy tags, I hope to pick up one of your high-roller coasters rather than your typical Utah guy who's a budget-minded individual."
About the expo
Big things are expected of the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, which runs Wednesday through Saturday at the Salt Palace Convention Center:
* Nearly 30,000 visitors are expected at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, Wednesday through Saturday at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
* The show is projected to contribute $10 million to the state's economy and $400,000 in tax revenue.
* Visitors are expected to fill 3,000 hotel rooms over four nights.
* The cost is $20 per session or $25 for the four days.
* Hours are noon-7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.
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I've lived in alot of houses that were around 5 bedroom 2+ bathrooms that would only be on half an acre or less lot. I have never lived in a McMansion. I was never rich. A quarter acre isn't even that big. Lets go for a drive sometime and i'll show you just how many of these big homes there are on these tiny lots. There's tons in South Jordan being built right now. Sure these homes are $500.000+ but at least you get your money's worth out of it. 
Trax is the way to go.
You guys are lucky to have such a nice road system...and if you think its bad come up here see what crappy roads look like
Hunting Expo will draw thousands to Salt Lake
Needed Restaurant Additions
), but Gastronomy has created a home town favorite. All of my business colleagues who come to town want to go to Market Street for dinner or Ruby River, if it is a more casual meeting.
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