Live the Tradition at Convention
NWTF experts answer your questions about the Federation's biggest event
Q: How do you get nominated or suggested for a volunteer award?
— Jim White, Dallas, Ga.
A: Each year the NWTF recognizes outstanding volunteers for our three outreach programs — Women in the Outdoors, JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) and Wheelin' Sportsmen. The awards are given to individuals who show exceptional commitment to introducing women, youth or people with disabilities to the outdoors while promoting the NWTF mission.
NWTF regional staff and state chapter leaders are asked to nominate individuals in their chapters who are working to promote outreach. The judging committee reviews the submitted applications and award recipients are announced during the annual NWTF National Convention and Sport Show.
The NWTF Board of Directors, Awards Committee, approves policies and the criteria used to score and identify the winners of our chapter awards. The staff at NWTF headquarters then scores the chapters based on that established criteria to determine the top 10 chapters. The top three are recognized at the awards banquet during the National Convention and Sport Show.
— Mandy Harling, NWTF JAKES program coordinator, and Bob Fountain, NWTF vice president of training and chapter development and director of field operations for the Northeast
Q: I just wonder about how your awards work and how someone can win an award if they don't own any land and they keep on working hard for the NWTF.
— Mike Bouman, Yucaipa, Calif.
A: There are so many NWTF awards, it would be difficult to answer here. NWTF awards are not given only to landowners. You can find a complete list of awards by clicking here and then clicking on "NWTF Awards Information."
— Bob Fountain, NWTF vice president of training and chapter development, and director of field operations for the Northeast
Q: Are the NWTF chapter awards based on how much money is raised?
— Ed Ford, Dexter, Ga.
A: Fundraising is only one small part of the evaluation criteria established by the NWTF National Board of Directors. The key to fundraising is how well chapters manage their events to raise money for the conservation work in their states. The other criteria used in addition to fundraising are the chapter's efforts to gain memberships, conduct all outreach programs and participate in the 5-Star programs. All scoring criteria are based on total support of the NWTF's mission of conserving wild turkeys and preserving our hunting heritage — not just fundraising.
— Bob Fountain, NWTF vice president of training and chapter development and director of field operations for the Northeast
Q: Many different awards are given each year; some to individuals and some to chapters. How can I see who has received these awards in the past? Is there a master list somewhere? And I would love to read the reason the award was given - the article that is read from the stage.
— Janice Kuhtic, Wayland, Mich.
A: While we do not publish a master list of award winners throughout the NWTF's history, the May/June issue of Turkey Country magazine will include every major award winner from the 34th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show. Every individual and chapter award and what each commemorates will be published in the magazine. We'll even have photos of the winners who attend this year's convention.
In addition, you can read about the awards and awards winners through NWTF press releases, which are sent during and after Convention. To receive these press releases, click here.
— Burt Carey, NWTF editorial director
Q: Why are the Roger Latham awards not given out at the awards banquet on Saturday night? This is an important award to our volunteers and I and other past winners believe awarding it at any other time other than at the awards banquet is not right.
— Blake Pazero, Dow, Ill.
A: Thanks so much for your question. Winners of the Roger Latham Award will be announced during the Saturday night awards banquet, Feb. 20, at the National Wild Turkey Federation's National Convention and Sport Show. I hope you will join us at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort for all of the festivities!
— Burt Carey, NWTF editorial director
Q: Many of the men and women in the United States Forest Service manage to do incredible projects of active wildlife management in our National Forests. Despite countless lawsuits by radical preservation groups to stop timber cuts, prescribed fires, management of wildlife openings, and savannah work, these dedicated USFS personnel somehow manage to improve the forests for all of us that love to hunt and fish on our public lands. Is there a way that the NWTF honors some of these folks?
— Charlie Nichols, Cross Lanes, W.Va.
A: The NWTF presents the Making Tracks with the Forest Service Awards to people and projects that best incorporate conservation education, partnerships and active wild turkey management into ecosystem management projects and have significant habitat improvement benefits for the wild turkey and help accomplish the NWTF's mission.
The agency submits nominations to national the coordinator. Candidates are reviewed by the Conservation Programs Committee and a recommendations are submitted to a predetermined outside review panel. NWTF conservation staff presents a recommendation to the Awards Committee for final approval. The award is presented at the Annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show.
— Ted Schenck, NWTF wildlife biologist and USFS Making Tracks national coordinator
Q: Who has the record for the most Grand National Turkey Calling Championships?
— J. Tanner, Carrollton, Ga.
A: Walter Parrott has won the Senior Division five times. If you count all divisions held, Tucker Crisp has won 11 different championships in the Gobbling, Owl Hooting and Champion of Champions divisions.
— Tammy Condrey, NWTF special projects coordinator
Q: What is the highest and most prestigious award give by the NWTF to a volunteer and what is the procedure for submitting a nominee?
— Pat Williams, Eddyville, Ky.
A: The NWTF's most prestigious volunteer award — the Five-Star Award — is named for the military five-star rank, the highest rank of general, which is given infrequently by Congress to individuals of outstanding ability, achievement and leadership. The NWTF's Five-Star Award is not given every year. Only five outstanding volunteers have received it.
NWTF's executive staff and national board provide a slate of candidates to consider. Nominations are made at the annual Summer Nominating Committee meeting. The winner is selected at the fall national board meeting and the award is presented at the following National Convention and Sport Show.
To see a list of all NWTF awards and nominating procedures for each,click here and then click on "NWTF Awards Information."
— Brian Dowler, NWTF public relations manager
Q: Is there anything at the event that caters to the Wheelin' Sportsmen group? Thank you for your time.
— James Stamm, Toledo, Ohio
A: There will be activities throughout the weekend in the exhibit hall for people with disabilities. The Roost area, which offers hands-on activities for people of all ages and abilities, is open Friday through Sunday and will feature a couple of seminars specifically geared towards our NWTF members with disabilities.
On Friday morning during the Federal breakfast, awards will be presented for the best Wheelin' events across the country. Volunteers from across the country will gather to discuss planning, organizing and growing our outreach events during an outreach coordinator meeting Friday afternoon. Many Wheelin' members attend and get involved in helping plan events in their region.
— Illana Burkhart, Wheelin' Sportsmen program coordinator
Q: I am an event coordinator for the Benton County Boss Hens in Warsaw, Mo. If we were to receive any awards, are they given out in Nashville at the show? We are hoping to attend. It sure sounds like a wonderful time!
— Jeanette Limback, Warsaw, Mo.
A: National Women in the Outdoors awards are presented at NWTF's National Convention and Sport Show each year. This year, all outreach awards will be presented during the Federal Breakfast on Friday morning. Should a chapter be the recipient of an award, they will be notified in mid-January. I hope to see you there. This is a show you won't want to miss!
— Teresa Carroll, Women in the Outdoors program coordinator
Q: Can you provide a list of what the breakout sessions will be about and who will be leading them?
— Aliese Priddy, Immokalee, Fla.
A: We're still shoring up the seminar series schedule, but here are a few of the highlights. Note, this year we're working to provide more conservation and NWTF-specific seminars in an effort to let you know what services are available to you as an NWTF member.
Donnie Buckland and Roger Wells will talk about the Federation's new upland wildlife habitat initiatives and how wild turkey work also helps a plethora of upland species.
Brent Lawrence, NWTF public relations director, will talk about how you, as a volunteer, can use the NWTF "Media Machine" to help raise awareness for your local chapter, your banquet and outreach events, the NWTF and the conservation work done on the ground as a result of your chapter's efforts.
The NWTF's Gary Burger and Greg Boozer will team up with the guys from the Georgia Forestry Commission to teach you how to manage your property's wildlife habitat through proper timber management while maintaining your property's timber value.
Of course, NWTF spokespersons Brenda Valentine and Michael Waddell will each host a seminar about their passions, wildlife conservation and hunting.
Our outreach coordinators will host a seminar about how you can get the most for your efforts in planning outreach events. They'll go over some of the best tips and hints from event coordinators throughout the country.
We'll also mix in a variety of seminars from turkey hunting's top TV personalities with the guys from Hunter's Specialties and folks from Mossy Oak, and Marty Fischer will do a seminar about hunting swamp gobblers, which many consider to be amongst the most difficult turkeys to hunt.
Our friends from the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance are slated to do a seminar titled "Arming Sportsmen to Protect Their Hunting Rights" and our friend and supporter George Denka of Shelton Vineyards is scheduled to do a seminar with the folks from Bruce Foods about paring wines with wild game.
We hope to see you at the Convention — and at some of these great seminars!
— Brian Dowler, NWTF public relations manager
Q: Will the Bone Collectors or Woodhaven Calls have a booth this year? Also, will Lee and Tiffany Lakoski be there?
— Rex Gaston, Patoka, Ill.
A: Woodhaven Calls and the Bone Collectors will both have booths this year, and currently Lee and Tiffany Lakoski are scheduled to be in the Realtree booth during the convention.
— Brian Dowler, NWTF public relations manager
Q: When are you going to move out of Nashville and come back to the most lucrative site for NWTF in their history? I believe that at one time, the Columbus, Ohio, location was the site of the most money made at any one location for your convention. Is this true? If so, when are you coming back?
Also, I would like to become a Life Member. Is there a way to pay in 3-4 installments to get my $1K to you for Life Membership? The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Trout Unlimited both worked with me, with TU providing a fantastic gift for supporting their wonderful organization. Also, have we given Tom Kelly any kind of award yet?
— Jack Wallingford, Mantua, Ohio
A: Choosing a location for the NWTF convention is a challenge! We must consider many factors including whether the facility has the square footage we need, whether there are 1,500 hotel rooms that adjoin the convention center, how accessible the city is to our members, the cost to rent the building… and the list goes on.
We had excellent conventions in Columbus, Ohio in 2001 and 2004. Charlotte, N.C. was another great location for the 1999 and 2002 conventions. However, many attendees do not like having to take shuttles from their hotels to the convention center. When we compared the number of hotel rooms used by our members and the number of attendees that came to our events at the conventions in Columbus and Charlotte, we found that the number of hotel rooms booked in Nashville is almost double.
During the 2009 convention, the NWTF recognized Tom Kelly as the 2009 Communicator of the Year for his excellent contributions to communications and to the NWTF.
Upper Level Sponsor (Life) Memberships may be pledged and paid over a period of up to four years. Janice Presley in our Development Department is available to discuss this with you. You may reach her at (803) 637-3106 or via email by clicking here.
— Shannon Tollison, NWTF Convention coordinator, and Donna Leggett, NWTF vice president of development
Q: Do pre-registration tickets include hotel rooms?
— Earl Miller, Centerburg, Ohio
A: Pre-registration tickets do not include the cost of hotel rooms. You can reserve your hotel room online by clicking here . This page also offers information on how to reserve your room over the phone.
— Shannon Tollison, NWTF Convention coordinator
Q: How much are meals, and do you have to buy meal to attend auction?
Bob Shepherd, Shelbyville, Tenn.
A: Meal prices vary depending on which meals you want to attend. To view a list of all meal prices, click here. You can purchase tickets online or download a brochure with all pricing information. To attend the Ladies Auction and luncheon, Hunt Auction and luncheon or Grand National Fair/Auction, you must buy a meal ticket.
— Shannon Tollison, NWTF Convention coordinator
Q: How many vendors will be there and can I find a listing?
— Jim Spencer, Clio, S.C.
A: At the 2010 NWTF National Convention and Sport Show, you'll have the opportunity to browse the four-acre exhibit hall, which will be packed with more than 550 booths. To view a complete list of exhibitors and map of the exhibit hall, click here.
Note: This list is updated daily.
— Shannon Tollison, NWTF Convention coordinator
Q: Will it be possible to avoid the high registration cost and purchase a limited daily ticket for access to the exhibit hall? Thank you in advance.
— James Zettler, Rincon, Ga.
A: Daily admission costs $12 for adults, or you can buy a three-day pass for $25. Children 10 and under are admitted free. Paid general admission tickets include entrance to the exhibit hall, admittance to the Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand National Wild Turkey Calling Championships, taxidermy and callmaking championships and informative seminars.
— Shannon Tollison, NWTF Convention coordinator
Q: Are there any discounts for members at Convention?
— Jo Shepherd, Centerburg, Ohio
A: The cost of catered food at hotels is high — very high! NWTF ticket prices cover the meal cost and just a very small portion of the cost of the evening's entertainment. Our attendees are mostly NWTF members, so we offer to same price to everyone. We offer special pricing if you purchase your tickets in a package. To view a list of package pricing and ticket pricing for each event, click here (link to http://www.nwtf.org/special_events/convention_info_13.html)
— Shannon Tollison, NWTF Convention coordinator
Q: How do we get tickets for banquets featuring Jeff Foxworthy, or is it too late? I already booked a hotel room back in October.
— Ann Morgan, Carlisle, Ind.
A: It's not too late! You can register for the Saturday Awards Banquet, which will feature Jeff Foxworthy, plus any other events you'd like to attend by clicking here.
— Shannon Tollison, NWTF Convention coordinator
