MISSOULA, Mont. –-(Ammoland.com)- The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation applauds the unanimous decision by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Board of Directors and the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees to keep the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas through 2024.
“We are pleased both sides came to an agreement that will benefit all parties involved,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.
“For nearly 30 years the fans of rodeo and western lifestyle called Las Vegas home during the NFR. This decision is great news for RMEF as well given our plans moving forward”.
RMEF recently announced the all-new Hunter Christmas Exposition, presented by Cabela’s, will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center December 4-7, 2014, in conjunction with the first four days of the NFR. The Expo will be located alongside the established and popular Cowboy Christmas and Cowboy FanFest Shows. Hunter Christmas will be in the Central Halls while the Cowboy Christmas and Cowboy FanFest will be in the adjacent North Halls of LVCC.
“Hunting and fishing rank among the highest activities enjoyed by this fan base, but there are currently no hunting or outdoor shows in Vegas during the NFR,” said Steve Decker, RMEF vice president of Marketing. “We feel Hunter Christmas fills a much-needed niche for these fans.”
Hunter Christmas, presented by Cabela’s, will feature other outdoor industry leaders such as Browning, Buck Knives, Leupold, Nosler, Remington, Federal Premium and many others. It will bring the best in firearms, optics, outfitters, archery, and hunting apparel, and all things hunting and outdoors to tens of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, Hunter Christmas will feature a full archery range conducted by PSE, the NASCAR Experience from Nationwide Insurance, the Gun Genie from Gallery of Guns allowing firearm purchases from the show floor, special television coverage by RFD-TV and seminars from top hunting pros.
RMEF will also hold its annual convention, Elk Camp, on the same dates of December 4-7, 2014, in Las Vegas at The Mirage.
“The combination of Elk Camp, Hunter Christmas and the NFR all in the same place over the same time period gives our members a unique way to celebrate the RMEF, elk and the fact that Hunting is Conservation,” added Allen.
The Wrangler NFR, known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, has sold out 270 consecutive performances and attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Qualification is based on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Standings. In 2013, the event had a total attendance of 176,558 over the ten days of competition in Las Vegas, resulting in a non-gaming economic impact of $87.9 million for the destination.
Approximately 50 percent of the 560 booths available for Hunter Christmas, presented by Cabela’s, are already sold. For more information, call 800-CALL-ELK.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
RMEF is a leading conservation organization that protected or enhanced habitat on more than 6.4 million acres—an area larger than Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Great Smoky Mountains national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.