USA Dinner Program Broke New Ground in February

From the snowbelt to the gulf coast, the USA conservation dinner program broke new ground in February with inaugural events in Buffalo, New York and Bossier City, Louisiana. Both events were a tremendous success, uniting union members from near and far.

The Buffalo & Niagara BCTC Conservation Dinner on February 9 sold out with a packed house of nearly 300 attendees representing a wide range of unions including BAC, IBEW, Ironworkers, IUEC, IUPAT, LIUNA, OPCMIA, IUOE, Roofers, SMART, UA and USW. Not only did the event draw attendees from the Buffalo area, but some union members traveled from the Rochester and Syracuse markets to show their support for the first-time event and be part of the growing momentum of the USA’s mission in New York.

It was a packed house at the Inaugural Buffalo & Niagara BCTC Conservation Dinner.

Attendees are eager for the first USA Work Boots on the Ground project in the area to utilize the funds raised at the dinner.

“I have received many phone calls from people expressing how much fun they had,” said USA Event Coordinator Sarah Smith. “I can’t wait to see how this dinner grows.”

(L-R) Brent Moreland, IBEW Local 194 BM, and Tori Letson of Bank of Labor.

More than 1,200 miles southwest of Buffalo, nearly 300 union members from the Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana junction to the tip of da’ boot and neighboring Gulf Coast states transformed the Margaritaville Casino & Resort in Bossier City, Louisiana into a vibrant hub of unity and passion for conservation. The Inaugural Louisiana BCTC Conservation Dinner brought together members of 11 different unions as well as friends of labor and USA partners all in the name of conservation.

Funds raised at the first-time dinner will contribute to a Work Boots on the Ground project at Bayou Sauvage NWR in New Orleans, where a fishing pier will soon provide greater access to the bounties of the Sportsman’s Paradise.

“The energy and enthusiasm were palpable throughout the evening,” said USA Event Coordinator John Segura. “From the crowd’s excitement at the announcement of Baton Rouge as the host city for the 2025 Louisiana BCTC Conservation Dinner to the spirited conversations about the need for a larger venue, it is evident that Louisiana Dinner will become a long-standing tradition.”

The Inaugural Louisiana Dinner brought together members of 25 different unions.

Following the exceptional first-time events in February, the USA will head to Columbus, Ohio for one of its longest running dinners as well as to Flint, Michigan and Reading, Pennsylvania in March.