The National Wild Turkey Federation's 45th annual Convention and Sport Show will be held virtually in February 2021.
NWTF officials made the announcement in mid-October after months of planning and trying to work out logistics. With concern for the safety and health of its members, partners and the public, the decision was made to cancel the in-person event and hold it virtually.
The online, virtual format will be announced at a later date. NWTF officials are working on plans with presenters and for other aspects of the convention. This includes working with vendors for "virtual booths" that can be viewed by the public, which has been done with other large trade shows and conventions.
The convention was scheduled for Feb. 17-21 in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Highlights include individual and corporate/chapter awards, calling contests, taxidermy contests, call-making contests, educational seminars and more.
The NWTF’s 2020 show drew record attendance with more than 57,000 people attending the three-day event. It has become the largest consumer show in Nashville.
“The show’s scope makes limiting audience sizes and implementing social distancing measures in compliance with government guidelines extremely difficult,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “Even if guidelines change and restrictions are eased by February, it is not feasible for us to quickly adjust an event of this magnitude.”
NWTF planners are partnering with Bass Pro Shops to host elements of the virtual event from Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. Select contests of the Grand National Calling Championships will be held in person at the Wonders of Wildlife museum with an adjusted format and limited capacity. The NWTF will hold the Grand National Callmaking Competition with a new format
“This is a one-year pivot, as we manage through the pandemic,” Humphries said. “We look forward to returning to Nashville in 2022 for our beloved Convention and Sport Show. In the meantime, we will provide the best online convention experience we can to celebrate our great conservation and hunting heritage successes and all of the volunteers who make it happen.”
