Salt Lake City, UT: The 2021 Virtual Western Hunting & Conservation Expo (Hunt Expo) was a success raising $8.1 million with, on average, 94% of funds from state auction tags going back to wildlife agency conservation programs. The virtual Hunt Expo, hosted by Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and the Mule Deer Foundation, was held mid-February and drew more bidders to the online auction and more applications for Utah’s 200 limited entry tags than ever before. In addition, the response to the virtual exhibit hall featuring many of Hunt Expo’s regular booths was very positive.
“Thank you to everyone across the country who tuned in to the virtual Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, and many thanks also go out to our sponsors and exhibitors who continue to support wildlife conservation,” said Troy Justensen, president of Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife. “While we can never replace the enjoyment and camaraderie of an in-person event, holding Hunt Expo online allowed people to participate who might not normally have been involved. I hope that this inspires them to take the time to come to Salt Lake and join us next year when we plan to once again have the Expo Hall open.”
“This past year has been a challenge for all of us and unfortunately Hunt Expo had to go fully online and looked a lot different from normal. We weren’t sure how it would go, however our members and supporters continued to support our organizations’ missions and the virtual Hunt Expo ended up working out very well,” noted Miles Moretti, outgoing president/CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. “This certainly isn’t how I envisioned my last Expo would be, but I am proud of the innovation and hard work that went it to making it successful and I look forward to coming to next year’s Hunt Expo as an attendee!”
The ever-growing Hunting Expo is at the center of Utah’s enviable and successful wildlife conservation model. It brings together hunters and industry partners of all types from all over the world. The millions of dollars raised each year fund some of Utah’s most critical habitat improvement and wildlife management projects annually. The event continues to be one of the most important fundraising events of the year.
The 2022 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo is scheduled for February 10-13 in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Information about this year’s Hunt Expo and details about next year’s show will be posted on the WHCE website at www.huntexpo.com.
