Washington, D.C.) – This week, the Council to Advance to Hunting and the Shooting Sports (Council) made the difficult decision to reschedule the in-person National R3 Symposium to May, 2021. After careful monitoring of the changes brought on by the pandemic, surveying our attendees, and thoughtful conversation among the Council’s Board and partners, the decision was made to reschedule the Symposium to ensure the event remains a rich and fulfilling event while ensuring the safety and welfare of the participants.
The new dates for the Symposium are May 4-6, 2021. The event will remain in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and will occur at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center.
“COVID-19 has disrupted our normal activities and brought many changes to our collective community of R3 professionals,” commented John Frampton, President and CEO of the Council. “While we want to gather, connect, and share our ideas in person, we do not feel it appropriate, nor necessary, to risk the health of our colleagues and friends at this time. We’d rather delay Symposium to ensure that our community is healthy and comfortable in attending the event.”
Through the last few months the Council has increased its work in providing a forum for the R3 community to discuss and adapt to the changes presented by COVID-19. Participation in the National R3 Community and other virtual events has increased significantly since the onset of the Pandemic. “COVID-19 has brought many challenges, but it has also brought new opportunities, as we have witnessed a surge in Americans’ interest in the outdoors,” commented Samantha Pedder, Director of Operations for the Council. In working with state fish and wildlife agencies, the Council has documented increases in license sales for many states. Pedder continued, “We could not have predicted this occurrence, but we can take advantage of the increased interest. As we head into the fall hunting seasons, we look forward to retaining this increased interest in outdoor activities and marketing hunting, target shooting, angling, and boating as opportunities for Americans to enjoy and reconnect to the outdoor world.”
Recognizing the need to maintain momentum in the R3 movement and focus on retaining participation in outdoor activities, the Council will host a Virtual R3 Forum during August 26 and 27, 2020. In true Council fashion, it will work with partners and members of the National R3 Implementation Workgroup and R3 Symposium Steering Committee to identify the key topics and trainings needed right now, then build a schedule of events to help R3 professionals continue momentum into the fall months.
Details of the 2021 National R3 Symposium and the Virtual R3 Forum in August will be available in the coming weeks. The Council has prepared a list of frequently asked questions regarding registration refunds, hotel arrangements, etc., which can be found at: https://cahss.org/nationalr3symposium/symposium-faqs/. This website will continue to be updated with the most relevant information as preparations move forward. Further questions should be directed to symposium@cahss.org.
About the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports
Purpose: Ensure support for and active participation in hunting and the shooting sports for future generations.
Vision: America where hunting and the shooting sports are an integral part of mainstream culture and where hunters and shooters are widely recognized as premiere conservation contributors.
Mission: Facilitate the promotion and growth of hunting and the shooting sports and the education of the public on the contributions that hunters and shooters make towards wildlife conservation.
