Join Us at the 3rd Annual NAGA Hunting Club Conference!

MacFarlane Pheasants is thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual NAGA Hunting Club Conference from July 15 to 17, 2024, at the Best Western Plus Ramkota in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

MacFarlane Pheasants is proud to sponsor and promote this event each year. We believe industry professionals must be involved in and aware of what’s happening so we can support each other and learn together.

This event is more than just a conference; it’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow within our unique community.

What is the NAGA Hunting Club Conference?

The NAGA Hunting Club Conference is an esteemed annual event organized by the North American Gamebird Association (NAGA). This conference serves as a premier gathering for owners and operators of hunting preserves.

Attendees can expect a rich program that includes expert-led workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches covering a wide range of topics relevant to the gamebird and hunting preserve industry. In addition to educational sessions, the conference offers invaluable networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect with peers, industry leaders, and vendors.

NAGA anticipates over 150 attendees this year.

2024 Conference Agenda & Highlights

This conference’s agenda covers topics such as keeping birds healthy, first aid for hunting dogs, profitability, biosecurity, marketing, and more. Here are some of the highlights on this year’s agenda.

• Insurance for Your Hunting Lodge by Chris Hipple, Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance

• Best Bird Management Practices for Strong Flying Birds by Mike Martz, Martz’s Gap View Hunting Preserve

• Hunting Club Biosecurity and Waterfowl Management by Dr. Abby Schuft, University of Minnesota Extension

• Implementing a Practical Biosecurity Plan at Your Club by Patrick Wall, Greystone Castle Sporting Club

• Field Emergency and First Aid for Hunting Dogs by Dr. Joe Spoo, Gun Dog Doc

• Handling an Avian Influenza Outbreak and Reopening Afterwards by Jimmy Diedrich, Greystone Castle Sporting Club & Adam Straub, Martz’s Gap View Hunting Preserve

• Managing High-Quality Kennel Operations by Jeff Oakes and Ty Roebuck, Flink Oak

• The Political Issues That Threaten Hunting Preserves by Todd Adkins, The Sportsmen’s Alliance

• Pro Shop Management and Supplier Relationships by Milford Hills

• Know Your Audience: How to Introduce “Newbies” to Wingshooting by John McNamera, National Shooting Sports Foundation

The Importance of Networking

While the agenda is top-notch and packed with critical business information, a major perk of the NAGA Hunting Club Conference is the unparalleled networking opportunities. Networking might not seem pressing when you have a club to run, but gamebird preserve operators have learned firsthand that knowing who to call—and, more importantly, knowing who you are calling—can make all the difference in the world.

“We have a community that really pulls together in a crisis,” explained Dan Barngrover, Chairman of the 2024 NAGA Hunting Club Conference and owner of Longtail Farms in Kansas. “Competitors become friends at meetings like this and come to each other’s aid when the need is great. That’s why we’ve designed this event to allow folks to develop strong relationships; in the end, they are vital.”

In recent years, NAGA members have:

• Coordinated ammunition deliveries during the tightest ammo market in history.

• Supplied birds to a preserve that lost its supplier due to avian influenza.

• Sounded the alarm to keep hunting clubs open when governors sought to shut them down during COVID.

In each case, these folks knew who to call. And more critically, the people they called knew them. That’s the power of networking.

Scholarship Opportunity

Expanding the network of gamebird businesses is crucial for safeguarding hunting preserves and ensuring the industry’s future. NAGA supports this mission to expand the network by offering a scholarship to one first-time attendee.

This scholarship covers the entire cost of the conference, including registration fees, three nights of lodging, and meals—approximately $800. To be eligible, individuals must register for the conference for the first time by July 1, 2024.

In addition to the scholarship opportunity, all first-time attendees will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the NAGA, providing continued access to resources and support within the gamebird community.  This initiative underscores NAGA’s commitment to fostering a strong, united gamebird industry and supporting newcomers in the field.

Registration Details

Join us in Sioux Falls and be part of a community that thrives on collaboration and shared success. Register today to secure your spot at the conference!

• Conference Registration: $375 per person, including dinner on Monday, lunch and dinner on Tuesday, and lunch on Wednesday. The hotel will provide breakfast each day.

• Guest Registration: $175 for spouses, kids 16 or older, or friends of attendees who won’t attend the meetings but wish to join meal functions.

Vendor Registration

Vendor space was at a premium last year in Kansas, so we encourage you to reserve your exhibitor space right away. The price for a vendor booth remains the same as in 2023 at $450, with discounts available for those who reserve more than one space. One conference registration is included with each vendor booth space.

Questions?

For more information and questions, contact Rob Sexton at Rob@NorthAmericanGamebird.com with any questions.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this incredible experience with you!