’09 Scorecard: Hyatt Regency Dallas 1, Hilton Anatole 0

The big buzz yesterday at the Dallas Safari Club Convention and Hunting Expo at Dallas Market Hall is the show’s decision to relocate next year to the Dallas Convention Center to accommodate its steady growth. That change means the Club’s “host hotel”–a considerable chunk of business–will be switching from the Hilton Anatole to the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Club honcho Debi Mills said this past weekend’s expo attracted more than 900 worldwide exhibitors–outfitters, gun makers, jewelers and destination proprietors including Dallas businessman Ward Lay (pictured), who owns a hunting, fishing and guest lodge in Argentina–and better than 22,000 attendees. One former Safari Club board member said expensive items like high-end jewelry sold well at the expo this year, while cheaper offerings languished on exhibitors’ shelves.