May 22, 2013
RMEF Elk Camp gets BIG makeover!
MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is making some significant changes to its 2014 annual convention known as Elk Camp. The RMEF Elk Camp will be held Wednesday, December 3 through Sunday, December 7, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nev.
“This is not the traditional time of year for a conservation organization like ours to conduct an annual convention,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We saw an opportunity to do something different and exciting and feel that after 28 years it is time to mix things up a bit.”
In the first weekend in December, Las Vegas also plays host to the beginning of one of the largest western lifestyle events in the country, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
“With literally tens of thousands western lifestyle enthusiasts in town we feel this is an opportunity to introduce the RMEF and our mission to a whole new audience that values many of the same things our organization works to protect,” said Allen.
RMEF also announced it will reassume management of its exhibition hall held in conjunction with Elk Camp. The new show will be called Hunter Christmas and will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). For many years Las Vegas Events conducted the very successful Cowboy Christmas exposition in the North Halls of LVCC. In 2014 RMEF, working with Las Vegas Events, will conduct the new Hunter Christmas in the Central Halls of LVCC adjacent to Cowboy Christmas and the NFR Fan Fest.
“We know NFR fans enjoy hunting and the outdoors, we are extremely excited to bring Hunter Christmas, an exhibit hall focused on all things hunting and outdoors, to the NFR fans,” said Allen. “With Cowboy Christmas, NFR Fan Fest and Hunter Christmas all under the LVCC roof in December of 2014, NFR fans and RMEF members are going to have countless opportunities to see and shop a vast array of products they value,” Allen continued.
The RMEF Board of Directors met in May, and following extensive discussion the Board unanimously supported moving Elk Camp to December of 2014. “RMEF has been very fortunate to see significant growth in membership, mission and fundraising over the past several years,” said Lee Swanson, chairman of the RMEF Board of Directors. “Our Board is pleased to see our staff taking initiative to bring that same pattern of growth to our annual Elk Camp. There is little doubt when looking at the whole of these changes Elk Camp is going to reach new levels of success and reach more members with the opportunity to attend.”
The Mirage Hotel and Casino will again serve as the headquarter property for RMEF Elk Camp evening events.
“The Mirage is an outstanding property with first class staff. We are proud to partner with them once again,” said Allen. “The Mirage showed its commitment to RMEF by offering Elk Camp attendees extremely favorable Mirage room rates for the 2014 event at just $72 on weeknights and only $119 on Friday and Saturday nights.”
RMEF will release more details in June regarding exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities for 2014 Elk Camp and the Hunter Christmas Exposition.