Thursday, May 2, 2024

SCI, Weatherby Foundation Ink Long-Term Agreement

NASHVILLE, TN (May 1, 2024) –– Weatherby Foundation International (WFI) and Safari Club International (SCI) announce their agreement to host the Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Award Dinner and presentation of the Weatherby Big Game Hunting and Conservation Award in Nashville, Tennessee, for the next nine years. The dinner and award presentation for 2025 will be held on Wednesday night, January 22, 2025, on the opening day of SCI’s Annual Hunters’ Convention at the Nashville Convention Center.

Dating back to 1956, the Weatherby Award has distinguished itself as one of the most preeminent honors in the hunting and conservation community. Every year, WFI uses this award to recognize an individual for outstanding support of wildlife conservation, lifetime hunting achievement, and dedication to the principles of ethical sport hunting.

SCI’s CEO W. Laird Hamberlin, said, “SCI is immensely grateful for the opportunity to partner with Weatherby Foundation International and present their Weatherby Big Game Hunting and Conservation Award in Music City. This award demonstrates many of the shared values between the Weatherby Foundation and SCI, namely the importance of character, sportsmanship, and educating our youth in the hunting community. The annual Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Award Dinner will be an unforgettable evening for the next nine years, and we can’t wait to celebrate, beginning in January 2025.”

“Joining forces and hosting the annual Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Award Dinner during SCI’s Convention is an unparalleled opportunity to once again highlight the accomplishments of renowned hunter conservationists!” said SCI’s President John McLaurin. “We look forward to the many years ahead celebrating and honoring Weatherby Award Winners together in Nashville, TN.”

Weatherby’s President, Dr. Peter Larsen, said, “The Weatherby Foundation is extremely proud and pleased to have SCI as a long-term partner with us in presenting our annual Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Award Dinner in the lovely music city of Nashville, TN, for the next nine years during their annual Convention. SCI is an extremely powerful and growing worldwide force in the conservation and hunting space and we at the Weatherby Foundation count ourselves blessed to be in this mutually beneficial relationship with them.”

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About Safari Club International (SCI)

For over 50 years, Safari Club International (SCI) has been the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.

SCI is unique in the scope of our ability to defend and advance our freedom to hunt. SCI is the only hunting rights organization with a Washington, D.C. based national and international advocacy team and an all-species focus. SCI also mobilizes our 148 chapters and affiliate networks representing millions of hunters around the world. The conservation projects of SCI’s sister organization, SCI Foundation (SCIF), support research, wildlife management, conservation projects, and rural community leadership in North America, Africa, and Central Asia.

In addition, SCI’s Annual Hunters’ Convention is the world’s ultimate sportsmen’s market that celebrates our freedom to hunt with the world’s premier outfitters, hunting celebrities, and more. SCI can be found at www.safariclub.org or contacted at (210) 985-HUNT.

About Weatherby Foundation International (WFI)

Formed in 1988, WFI’s objective is to educate youth and the non-hunting public on the beneficial role of ethical sport hunting and its contribution to wildlife conservation and to protect our constitutional right to do so. It is one of the few nonprofit organizations to focus its efforts and financial support on education outside of the industry.

Beyond its philanthropic endeavors, WFI serves as the sole sponsor of the prestigious Weatherby Hunting and Conservation Award. First presented in 1956, the Weatherby Award annually recognizes an individual for outstanding support of wildlife conservation, lifetime hunting achievement and dedication to the principles of ethical sport hunting.

Weatherby Foundation International is a non-profit, tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions are tax deductible. Contact us at www.weatherbyfoundation.com.