How USA Dinners Fuel the Future of Conservation

Walk into any Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) conservation dinner, and you’ll see an entire jobsite’s worth of labor—business managers, organizers, journeymen, apprentices, contractors and more. And they’ll be dressed in anything from wearing anything from T-shirts to camo to sport coats. Regardless of wardrobe, everyone will be engaged in lively conversation about hunting and fishing, complete with cell phone photos for proof.

For the uninitiated, this gathering might just look like a big party. But look closer and you’ll see the bedrock of what makes up the USA (pun intended). These dinners are part of the engine that drives our mission to unite the union community through conservation to preserve our outdoor heritage.

“The great thing about a dinner like this is the opportunity to get unions from all across the board together,” says Cory McLaughlin of Teamsters Local 117. “In the sportsman mindset, it’s about getting out and the camaraderie. That’s a huge part of being a sportsman—sharing those moments with the people around you. It puts the right people in the room to raise necessary funds to go out and create more opportunities locally.”

A Purpose Beyond the Plate

The primary goal of every USA dinner is to raise money for local and national conservation projects. Take, for instance, the Tri-Cities Conservation Dinner in Washington. The funds raised at that event allowed union volunteers from six different trades to install ADA-compliant fishing docks at Hood Park. Two weeks later, those same docks were used by over 300 kids at a Take Kids Fishing day. The money raised at the dinner helped some kids catch their first fish on a pier built by union labor.

A USA dinner is a melting pot of the labor community. It’s where you’ll find union leaders, rank-and-file members, contractors, and vendors all sitting down together for a common cause. Whether you’re a roofer, pipefitter, ironworker or painter, when you’re at a conservation dinner, you’re part of the same team.

How We Raise the Stakes (and the Funds)

Because the primary purpose is fundraising, you should be ready to participate. A typical evening includes several ways to support the cause.

• Table Sponsorships: Many local unions, contractors and labor partners sponsor entire tables at levels ranging from bronze to platinum. These sponsorships come with table prizes and recognition throughout the night.
• Raffles: These are arguably the most popular part of the night. There are dozens of chances to win.
• Live and Silent Auctions: You’ll find prizes from rifles to crossbows and other high-end gear.

Beyond the very good chance of winning a new shotgun or high-end cooler, people come back year after year for the fellowship. It’s a chance to reconnect and support your brothers and sisters outside the jobsite.

Know Before You Go

If you’re planning to attend, here are a few things our event staff wants you to know:

1. Bring Energy (and $ to spend): While your ticket includes a meal, one-year USA membership and hat, the heart of the fundraising happens through the raffles and live auctions. Spending money at a USA event is an investment in the future of our outdoor heritage.
2. Family Friendly: Spouses and kids are part of the union community too, and they are welcomed with open arms at USA dinners. Both USA staff and other attendees often look for ways to engage kids, letting them draw raffle winners, carry prizes to winners and more.
3. Impact: 50% of net proceeds remain in the market for a local conservation project or event while the other 50% supports USA’s national conservation efforts.

How to Get a Seat

While you can certainly purchase an individual ticket for around $100, the best way to attend is to talk to your local union leadership. Many Locals sponsor tables and look for active members to fill those seats. Tell them you’re interested in conservation and want to represent your union at the next USA dinner.

Join the Celebration

“I demand celebration,” says USA Events Manager Eric Bakken. “It’s your night. Enjoy it, have fun, and bid high. You’re doing great things for your own community, and you’re going to have a great time doing it. You’re meeting new people and seeing folks from the jobsite you might not see very often. Everyone is under one roof, under one flag, doing great things for the community with even better people.”