DSC’s new CEO sets the record straight
Despite a tumultuous few years, Dallas Safari Club is looking forward these days with a new CEO and an increasingly positive outlook with a 2028 return to Texas for their annual Convention in their sights.
Russell Stacy took over as CEO late last year after the former CEO was let go after less than a year on the job. Stacy, a former board member, president of DSC Foundation and Convention chair, stepped easily into the role due to his familiarity with the organization.
A Louisiana native and long-time DSC member and volunteer, Stacy is DSC through and through, positioning him well to lead the organization to Atlanta in 2027 and then back to Texas and Dallas thereafter.
“When I was about 30 years old, I came with a buddy one year to DSC,” Stacy said. “I was hooked. I bought a few things, including a Life Membership. Then I went to Houston and Reno and did the same thing. I landed here in Dallas because it felt more inclusive. DSC members get to vote for their Board leadership. It’s all about involvement, and the hallmark of DSC is our volunteerism and hospitality.”
Stacy was part of the search for a new Convention home in February 2023, when City of Dallas representatives told DSC they couldn’t host a show the size of the DSC Convention. In May 2023, the search was on.
“It was a very secret search, and if I could do anything over, it would be to bring membership and exhibitors more into the process,” Stacy said.
The City of Dallas confirmed they told DSC they had to move.
“There have been rumors that DSC was lapsing in their efforts to keep the show in Dallas, when a competitive show ended up taking the dates originally held under contract for them,” wrote D Bradley Kent, senior VP of Visit Dallas. “While on the surface it appears to be a linear set of occurrences, it was in fact a long time after we had helped connect DSC leadership to other cities, and eventually landing the show in Atlanta. The subsequent timeline change in the (demolition) project left the space available after DSC made its plans.”
Atlanta has already hosted two Conventions in 2025 and earlier this year.
DSC has one more year to host its Convention in Atlanta before returning to Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center in 2028 for two years (Jan. 27-30, 2028; and Feb. 15-18, 2029) before the Convention returns to Dallas in 2030.
According to correspondence from Visit Dallas VP Jennifer Bumbalo, DSC has contracted and confirmed dates with the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center for the following times:
- January 10-13, 2030
- January 9-12, 2031
- January 8-11, 2032
- January 6-9, 2033
Additional dates have been confirmed through 2036 at the KBHCC.
“All major events for the upcoming DSC Convention will be held at the newly constructed KBHCC Dallas, marking a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to hosting world-class gatherings,” Bumbalo wrote. “In addition to the currently contracted dates through 2036, Visit Dallas has proactively secured future dates for the DSC Convention through 2040, reinforcing our long-term commitment to this valued partnership.”
Stacy said the clear timeline and getting back to Texas are important to himself and the members.
“DSC is stabilizing,” he said. “The inaugural Summer Show was a resounding success. Atlanta in January was a much better show than the previous year, and we will build on that success in Atlanta in 2027. Just a little bit longer, and we will turn our focus on returning to Texas and ultimately back home in Dallas. There is so much good going on right now. The organization is moving into a very positive time.”
Throughout the changes, one thing that did not falter was the organization’s commitment to granting money to worthwhile conservation causes around the world.
“Following a tough year in terms of raising money at our Convention, we still gave more than $3 million in grants,” Stacy said. “That is very significant. Through DSC, DSC Foundation and its recently launched Global Care Fund, DSC has never wavered in its commitment to our mission. We are still providing meaningful dollars to further our mission. We pride ourselves on our fiscal responsibility.”
Stacy said the organization is debt free and positioned well to carry on its mission of education, advocacy and conservation into the future.
The City of Dallas agrees.
“In appreciation of our long partnership with DSC, we will have the show back in Dallas in January 2030,” Kent said. “They were in a tough situation having to move, something neither of us wanted, but at the time was necessary. We look forward to welcoming (them) back.”
