Entertainment

Entertainment 2025

The EXPO is bringing attendees the best in Live Auctions and Live Entertainment in 2025. Check out this line-up, get excited, and Get Your Tickets Early! Seats will sell out before the show.

Expo Auctioneer
John Bair

John Bair is the official auctioneer for the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo. Part auctioneer and part entertainer, “Our Man on Stage” does more than just talk fast and take bids. John is without question the most engaging and successful auctioneer in the hunting and firearms industry. As an auctioneer, John has helped raise nearly $175 million for wildlife conservation and pro hunting issues. His presence on stage and unique rapport with hunting, outdoor industry, and agricultural enthusiasts has led to immeasurable success for sellers and buyers alike. We guarantee you’ll enjoy your time with John.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

The only way to kick off Expo weekend is at the Thursday Night Super Banquet!

Door Prizes to be Drawn:

Pahvant Elk Tag
Badlands Clothing & Gear Package
Sig Sauer Rifle
Heli-Coyote Hunt

Buffet Dinner, Games and Prizes
Doors open at 6:00 pm

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Performing Live!
Cole Hartley

Award Winning Country Music Singer/Songwriter Cole Hartley grew up in the foothills of Alpine, Utah. There he learned how to hunt, fish, and developed a love for music. He got his first guitar when he was just six years old and has been playing ever since. Cole began recording music in 2019 and has since found success throughout Utah, Southern California and Nashville. His 2024 sophomore album “Breaking Horses” debuted at #39 on the i-Tunes Country Music Charts solidifying Cole as a promising up-and-comer in the country music world. In addition to writing songs and recording, Cole performs both in a solo acoustic capacity and with several bands. He has performed on such iconic stages as Loser’s Bar at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. He has been fortunate enough to share the stage with legends like Lonestar, Diamond Rio, Lee Brice, Brad Paisley, Joe Nichols, Colt Ford, and many more. After opening for Lee Brice, Grammy nominee and CMA and ACM award winner, Brice remarked to Cole, “You’ve got what it takes,” a testament to the bright future that lies ahead for this rising star.

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Friday, February 14, 2025

Conservation Night Banquet

Speakers, Live & Online Auction, Fundraising
Doors open at 7:00 pm
Reserved Seating

Friday Night – Master of Ceremonies
Julie McQueen

Julie McQueen is the President and CEO of CarbonTV, the largest and longest running digital network for outdoor video distribution. Her career in the outdoor industry spans nearly 20 years, and she is proud to represent female leadership in media. Jules has produced multiple hit television shows, is the founder of an outdoor themed sleep and meditation app, and is a Lifetime Member of the Mule Deer Foundation. She is the host of the hit news show Outdoor Weekly, airing on CarbonTV, and is an avid outdoorswoman who continues to break barriers for women who love the outdoors.

Friday Night – Keynote Speaker
Colonel Nick Nichols, USAF (Ret), President of Folds of Honor Foundation

Col Nick Nichols is a decorated USAF F-16 pilot with seven combat tours, serving in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He also had the privilege of serving as a Group Commander leading nearly 500 Airmen and was responsible for nearly one billion dollars in military assets. Nick inherited the drive to be a fighter pilot from his father, a Vietnam veteran flying F-4s, F-100s and F-16s. His father was tragically killed when Nick was only fifteen years old. On 11 October, 2018, after 30 years of service to his country, Col Nick Nichols climbed out of the cockpit of his F-16 and into the waiting arms of his wife, Carrie. Two days later, 13 October, marked the end of his military career, and the beginning of a new mission with the Folds of Honor Foundation. Today as President for Folds of Honor, Col Nick serves our scholarship recipients with unwavering passion. He is an accomplished public speaker, obsessive hunter, new rancher and brings a wealth of leadership experience to our humble team. He and his wife of more than 30 years, Carrie, treasure time with their children, Hannah, Garrett and Reilly, and never take a single day together for granted.

The Hunting Expo is proud to welcome Colonel Nichols as the Friday Night Keynote Speaker.

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Saturday, February 15, 2025

Saturday Night Grand Finale Banquet

Doors open at 7:00 pm
Reserved Seating
Speakers, Live and Online Auction, Fundraising

Saturday Night – Master of Ceremonies
Jana Waller Bair

Jana Waller Bair is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning shows Skull Bound TV and Skull Bound Chronicles on CarbonTV. Growing up in the Midwest, Jana was introduced to hunting at an early age and has since traveled the globe hunting, fishing and exploring the great outdoors.

With a Bachelorʼs Degree in Public Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Jana has blended her intensity for conservation with her communications background, actively promoting women in the outdoors in both print and TV. She has co- hosted or appeared on numerous national television shows such as “Invasion Of’ on Animal Planet, ‘Outfitter Bootcamp’ on The Outdoor Channel and numerous shows on The Sportsman Channel. Jana was the Producer and Host of Skull Bound TV for 9 years, airing on The Sportsman Channel and is the Executive Producer and Host of Skull Bound Chronicles, currently filming it’s 7th season for CarbonTV. She was awarded the prestigious 2015 “Communicator Of The Year” award by the National Wild Turkey Federation. Jana also received the ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’ in 2016 from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater for her work in promoting the outdoors and conservation. She was appointed as a member to the Federal Hunting And Shooting Sports Conservation Council in 2018. In 2021 Jana was also appointed by Governor Greg Gianforte to serve as a Montana Wildlife Commissioner.

Jana is a lifetime member of The Mule Deer Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundation, Safari Club International, and the National Wild Turkey Federation and an annual member of The NRA, Sportsman For Fish & Wildlife, Pope & Young Club, Western Bear Foundation, The Sportsman Alliance, Hunter Nation and Howl For Wildlife. Along with being an ardent conservationist, Jana is dedicated to supporting veteran organizations. She is committed to getting veterans back into the woods and the mountains, featuring many veteranʼs stories of courage and strength on her show Skull Bound Chronicles. Many of Janaʼs painted or beaded skulls are donated every year to raise money for conservation and veteran related organizations. To date, she has personally raised over $117,000 to help preserve our hunting heritage, habitat and herds.

Performing Live!
Rodney Atkins

Rodney Atkins has charted at least one radio single at Country Radio in three different decades all while being on the same record label (Curb Records). That sort of commitment and longevity defines the man. He is an artist with multi-generational impact whose voice has been a mainstay at Country Radio, challenging all of us to be better no matter our age – parents who are now grandparents, and adults who first heard Rodney while eating a happy meal in their booster seat. The ACM Award-winning artist – who has one of the most recognized and powerful voices in Country Music – has over 4 billion global streams; six number one radio singles; 16.5 million RIAA-certified units over 9 singles and 3 albums; has performed on NBC’s TODAY Show, GMA’s Strahan & Sara, and FOX & Friends; and his song “Watching You” was named Number One Song of the Decade by Country Aircheck and earned the songwriter a BMI “Million-Air” Award. Through the hell we all inevitably go through at some point in life, Atkins has cemented mega-hits in our hearts and minds that help us remain focused on those who matter most. The superstar, who is more interested in connecting with loyal fans and supporting the United States Military than grabbing headlines, is putting his masterful finishing touches on new music that will begin to release in late 2024 and early 2025, beginning with first song, “True South,” on November 22, 2024.