Ducks Unlimited Podcast

CONVENTION SPONSORS: Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails, Benelli, & Raymond James.

The Ducks Unlimited National Convention is more than a meeting — it’s a celebration of people, conservation, and one of the greatest fundraising achievements in conservation history.

In this episode, host Jimbo Robinson is joined by DU President Bob Spoerl, National Convention Chair Jared Brown, and Managing Director of National Conferences Pattie Kempka for a full preview of the 2026 Ducks Unlimited National Convention in Tampa, Florida. From opening night at the Florida Aquarium to the culmination of DU’s historic $3‑billion conservation campaign, this conversation breaks down why the national convention is unlike any DU event at the state or local level.

The group walks listeners through the full week — fishing tournaments, conservation tours, business sessions, recognition events, keynote speakers, and the energy that comes with gathering more than a thousand committed DU volunteers and supporters in one place.

Whether you’re a longtime volunteer, a first‑time convention attendee, or someone who has supported DU in any way over the past few years, come hear why Tampa is the place to be!

REGISTER NOW! @ Convention.ducks.org


SPONSORS:

Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited
Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Creators and Guests

Host
Jimbo Robinson
DUPodcast Host

What is Ducks Unlimited Podcast?

Ducks Unlimited Podcast is a constant discussion of all things waterfowl; from in-depth hunting tips and tactics, to waterfowl biology, research, science, and habitat updates. The DU Podcast is the go-to resource for waterfowl hunters and conservationists. Ducks Unlimited is the world's leader in wetlands conservation.

Jerad Brown:

$3,000,000,000 camp little campaign is impressive enough.

Jimbo Robinson:

Y'all keep saying that with the

Jerad Brown:

break that?

Jimbo Robinson:

A b. Right? B.

Pattie Kempka:

A billion.

Jimbo Robinson:

B as in vitamin b.

Jerad Brown:

Vitamin b as dear. Number.

Bob Spoerl:

Everything green begins with a b, even Bob.

Jerad Brown:

You got it, man.

VO:

Can we do a mic check, please? Everybody, welcome back to the Ducks Unlimited Podcast. I'm your host, doctor Mike Brasher. I'm your host, Katie Burke. I'm your host, doctor Jerad Henson. And I'm your host, Matt Harrison. Welcome to the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, the only podcast about all things waterfowl. From hunting insights to science based discussions about ducks, geese, and issues affecting waterfowl and wetlands conservation in North America. The DU Podcast, sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, the official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited. Purina Pro Plan, always advancing. Also proudly sponsored by Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails. Whether you're winding down with your best friend or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Jimbo Robinson:

Welcome back to the Ducks Unlimited Podcast. I am your host, Jimbo Robinson. Today, we have an awesome show and three incredible guests. We have DU's current president, mister Bob Spurl. We have DU's eighty ninth annual national convention chair, mister Jerad Brown.

Jimbo Robinson:

And in the studio, we have our managing director of national conferences and meetings, miss Patty Kempka. Welcome to the show, everybody.

Pattie Kempka:

Thank you. Good to be here.

Bob Spoerl:

Great to be here.

Jerad Brown:

Always like to talk to my parties.

Jimbo Robinson:

Well, we are this is gonna be an awesome episode. Today's episode, we're gonna discuss DU's national convention, everything that is going to happen, tell some funny stories about maybe conventions in the past and really what happens at our national convention this year in Tampa, Florida. But, so before we do that though, Jerad, I know you've done so much more for DU in in your past, so why don't you give everybody a little, background on who Jerad Brown is?

Jerad Brown:

Thank you, Jimbo. Yeah. Let's just put it this way. My hair was dark when I started with DU many years ago. I'm assuming I'm close to thirty years of active, you know, participating at the board level, on and off the board over a number of years, but I've I've held positions as senior advisory over the marketing communications as well as I was a DUTV host back between years 1999, 2009, and those were some wonderful days.

Jerad Brown:

I'm very proud to be associated with the greatest wetland organization, conservation organization, period, in the world, and it gives me great joy to see every day the works and tremendous amount of charitable people that support this organization. And so it's a great privilege that I have an opportunity to host this convention right here in my own backyard in Tampa, Florida. Everybody comes to Florida. Mickey Mouse is a big drawer here, so it's a great time that people will have. I know Bob will touch on that.

Jimbo Robinson:

Well, the the the rumor

Jerad Brown:

is is that you're not only hosting all of

Jimbo Robinson:

us in your backyard in Tampa, but you're also gonna be bringing your old host shoes back with your buddy Mark Pierce to host our Wings Over Wetlands celebration on Friday night. Is that true?

Jerad Brown:

That's yeah. I guess that's the real scoop. Mark and I became friends because of Ducks Unlimited. Years ago, Matt Connolly, when he was executive VP, says, you need to meet this young man. He's on the board.

Jerad Brown:

His name is Mark Pierce. Well, later that evening, Mark and I were halfway through one beer and became best friends in 1992, I believe it was, and ever since have remained, you know, the dearest of buddies. And the opportunity to cohost the show and travel to all these great waterfowl destinations throughout North America and spend time with Mark and share these these great hunts, share remarkable stories of the hosts that were hosting us at their places and how they got committed to this organization. Yeah. We had a lot of fun.

Jerad Brown:

We have a share of bloopers and a lot of great members.

Jimbo Robinson:

I've heard that the the DUTV bloopers used to be a highlight of the national convention, and and with you two hosting again, I am hoping that at some point throughout the night, we get to see some of y'all's fun and maybe a little embarrassing moments throughout y'all's career because I know y'all had an incredible career on DUTV and and your time together, and and I think it's gonna be a blast to see y'all back together again.

Jerad Brown:

Thank you.

Jimbo Robinson:

Mister president, I'm sure you know you're not even really a guest on this show, but for those listeners that may not know who Bob Spurl is, DU's forty seventh president, why don't you tell them a little bit about you and how you got here?

Bob Spoerl:

Well, Jerad, at least you have your hair. Mine's mine's just about gone, so I I can relate on that. But after thirty six years of volunteering, I'm at at the pinnacle of, you know, that DU ladder when when you represent over 30,000 volunteers in this position. That's a pretty cool thing. And hailing from Wisconsin where I got my DU start, that's even more special to bring it back home since for the most part, for the last several years, all the presidents have been from the South.

Bob Spoerl:

And so it's good good that we got her back north for a change, but it's it's been amazing journey, and I will wrap up that journey as president at the upcoming convention. And it just seems like yesterday when I was standing on the aircraft carrier deck and and Jim Kennedy was making his $100,000,000 announcement, that just seemed like yesterday. So it it's been a special ride, but it it it's something that everyone should experience.

Jimbo Robinson:

Yes. And and what a what a way to to bring in your start as president with that special day. I I feel like I remember it like it was yesterday with all your friends coming out in in their Milwaukee. Was it Milwaukee? Miller highlight.

Pattie Kempka:

Miller. Yeah.

Jimbo Robinson:

Miller highlight. You bet. Vest, shirts, and, man, it was so exciting, and it has been an incredible run for you over the last two years. But it started way before that, and and you will continue as chairman of the board for for two more years after this. So one day, I wanna get you back on and talk about your ride through your last two years and the people you've met and the stories you've told that I've heard you tell others about the different volunteers you met across the country and your experience, I think that would make for a really exciting show one day.

Jimbo Robinson:

So we'll we'll put that on the queue for for down the road. But I like to do something fun, fun round of questions. So Chris is gonna cue the button.

Jerad Brown:

The flock shot.

Jimbo Robinson:

Jerad, coffee drinker or not?

Jerad Brown:

Yes. In fact, I'm very proud of my LSU tigers, and I drink my coffee every morning with that.

Bob Spoerl:

Bob? Yes. Black. No sugar.

Jimbo Robinson:

Oh, yeah. Alright. Over and under, Bob or semi auto?

Bob Spoerl:

Side by side.

Jimbo Robinson:

Oh, side by side. I love it. And that was your president's gun this year, wasn't it?

Bob Spoerl:

You bet. You bet. I I I started with them when I was shooting young and, still use them. I I still use others, you know, but side by side's my preferred gun.

Jimbo Robinson:

That's awesome. Jerad, semi auto or over and under?

Jerad Brown:

I'm a semi auto. I grew up I couldn't wait to get to the the humpback auto five, and I think I was nine years old. Wow. And currently, I'm a Beretta guy, though.

Jimbo Robinson:

Okay. Alright. Bob, favorite, waterfowl or upland birds?

Bob Spoerl:

Definitely waterfall.

Jimbo Robinson:

Jerad? Absolutely waterfowl. Jerad, what's your go to gas station snack? Probably

Jerad Brown:

planters, peanuts, or the the mix trail type.

Jimbo Robinson:

Alright. Alright. Bob, what's your go to gas station snack?

Bob Spoerl:

Link's jerky. Made here right in Wisconsin.

Jimbo Robinson:

Okay. Alright. What is one staple in your blind bag, Bob?

Bob Spoerl:

Shells.

Jimbo Robinson:

Jerad, what's a staple in yours? I gotta agree. You gotta have shells. Yep. Yep.

Jimbo Robinson:

Alright. Alright. Bob, what's your go to gas station drink?

Bob Spoerl:

That'd be coffee, black coffee.

Jimbo Robinson:

Okay. Jerad?

Jerad Brown:

Coming from the South, I'm a Doctor Pepper man.

Jimbo Robinson:

Alright. Bob, beer or bourbon?

Bob Spoerl:

Oh, definitely on the occasion, but I brought up on beer and and but I like bourbon, so I'm gonna go with both.

Jimbo Robinson:

Okay. Alright. Jerad, beer or bourbon?

Jerad Brown:

As I call it, it's vitamin b. Every man needs vitamin b. It's beer.

Jerad Brown:

Definitely a vitamin b man.

Jimbo Robinson:

Oh, man. That is awesome. Well, thanks for participating in the flock shot.

Pattie Kempka:

That's kinda funny. The clapping at the

Jimbo Robinson:

end.

Pattie Kempka:

Oh. I'm sorry. We don't

Jimbo Robinson:

have a we don't have an audience here, Patty, so,

Jerad Brown:

you know,

Jimbo Robinson:

we gotta do something. Bob, we're gonna start with you, but what is Ducks Unlimited's national convention?

Bob Spoerl:

It's it's those that have never been there, you need to come just to see the difference. If you've been to a state convention, that's like minor league compared to a national convention. It's it's everything that you can imagine and and then some. It reminds me of my old beer days going to the, the beer conventions, and they're, they're productions. It's not a convention.

Bob Spoerl:

It's a production, whether it's at the business meeting, the guest speakers, the booths, the vendors, everything is over the top, and you cannot assume that you are gonna tend to stay convention and and see the same thing at a national convention. It's it's everything and times a 100.

Jimbo Robinson:

So it's a it's a celebration of of Ducks Unlimited and and also a very productive business meeting that we have to have that that's written in our bylaws, and it's tons of fun. That's what it sounds like

Pattie Kempka:

to me. Networking.

Jimbo Robinson:

Great networking.

Bob Spoerl:

It's yeah. Not only a celebration, but it's also a recognition of all the volunteers we have out there and all the wonderful things they've accomplished this past year.

Jimbo Robinson:

Absolutely. Well, this year's national convention is in Tampa, Florida, as you said, Jerad, in your backyard. It starts on Tuesday, May 26 and runs through Saturday, May 30. But why don't we talk about what what Tuesday looks like in in it's kind of a preconvention thing, but for some, it's probably one of the things they're looking most forward to. What happens on Tuesday, Jerad, at this year's convention?

Jerad Brown:

Yeah. We put together a fishing tournament, and it's actually two tournaments in one. It's gonna be a tarpon component as well as a flax fish and red fish, the trout, and epic time to fish these waters is usually around, you know, full moons. It is a full moon week. It's gonna be epic conditions, and we not only have a great tournament lined up, we have great guides lined up.

Jerad Brown:

We have currently 12 local knowledgeable fishermen that are going to be the guides for those DU convention folks that are gonna be fishing in the tournament. So they know these local waters, and they're excited. As as one of the young bucks there that I watched grow up swim, his name is Jake. He's he's really organizing this along with a local volunteer that runs the DU chapter here in Clearwater. So we're excited about it.

Jerad Brown:

The registrations have been strong. In fact, I think Patty reached out looking for a few more captains, but it's gonna be a wonderful five hours on the water on Tuesday morning, and then we'll have packed lunches and cold soft drinks and some vitamin b for the fishermen there.

Jimbo Robinson:

Is there a seek what is there a is there a planned winning prize? Has that has that been decided yet?

Jerad Brown:

There is a there's definitely going to be some opportunities towards some of the winning anglers.

Jimbo Robinson:

Oh, yeah.

Jerad Brown:

We have we're working on we're working on someone to sponsor that portion of it. Feel pretty good about it.

Jimbo Robinson:

Good. Well, Ducks Unlimited knows how to recognize people, and and I can't wait to see the pictures and all from from that fishing tournament. I know that's gonna be exciting time, and looking forward to seeing some of the fish.

Pattie Kempka:

And a great time to get tarpon is what I understand. Right?

Jerad Brown:

It is. The tarpon are going to certainly be in the base, and we're gonna be fishing right off, you know, Tampa Bay by the Skyway Bridge. It's a very deep channel, and we we certainly have the expectation that quite a few Tarpon will be caught.

Jimbo Robinson:

That's on my bucket list. That is that is definitely on my bucket list. So I would assume so so Tuesday is a preconvention function. I guess it really kicks off Wednesday. Yeah.

Jimbo Robinson:

So convention really kicks off Wednesday. What what what starts? What happens on what happens on Wednesday?

Jerad Brown:

Like I said at a board meeting month or so ago, DU does parties as well as we do habitat work and conservation. The kickoff party is going to be at the aquarium, literally just within a mile or two of the hotel, and that's gonna be the grand opening night. It's gonna be a fun celebration. It is a spectacular, you know, place to host such an event like this. The aquarium every day has thousands of people that go there.

Jerad Brown:

It shows our unique diverse habitats that we have here in Florida, and it takes the people through very degrees of, you know, experiences all the way from the tropical aspects to the great bays and the inland lakes, things of this sort. I will say this, I've been to many opening parties and I expect this one to be just as fun and exciting, and it's always great to see friends that, you know, you haven't seen since last convention.

Jimbo Robinson:

And the word out there is that there may be a dress up aspect to this?

Bob Spoerl:

Well, maybe so. Your party attire. Pirate. And your best.

Pattie Kempka:

Yeah. We we're really excited about the Florida Aquarium. One thing they have, which a lot of aquariums don't have, is they have an incredible wetlands exhibit with ducks and everything. They also have a wonderful rooftop, and that rooftop overlooks the bay, and we'll have a band up there, but it's wear your best pirate attire. And Captain Morgan is one of our sponsors at night, and there will be some Captain Morgan cocktails and plenty of bars, plenty of food, and lots of fun.

Jimbo Robinson:

That'll be your vitamin c.

Pattie Kempka:

There you get your vitamin Alright.

Bob Spoerl:

We gotta find someone to walk the plank, though.

Pattie Kempka:

Oh, we have plenty.

Jimbo Robinson:

Oh, boy. So we've ducks, cocktails, band, rooftop. If you haven't attended anything Ducks Unlimited before, that sounds like a very exciting time together with your friends. Bob, I know you've attended many of Wednesday opening parties. This sounds like a good one, but there may be some tours that day as well to to cigar factories.

Jimbo Robinson:

Have you done some of the tours before?

Bob Spoerl:

Unfortunately, in this role, it it's hard to do the tours, but my most memorable one was actually post convention tour up in Alaska and where we went up to Denali. And and that was a phenomenal tour, and we did another tour in Oregon where it rained all day in Portland and saw some of the the Great Falls, but that's that's the unique thing about it. When we were in Wisconsin, we had a nice tour of Harley Davidson up to the Horicon Refuge. And so we, you know, we we look at the landscape, look at what's popular, and then accommodate, you know, people's interest around those tours. So the convention team has done a phenomenal job of of picking top, you know, visitation areas and setting up tours around them.

Bob Spoerl:

So you're you're you're sure to have have fun no matter, you know, if if you're young or old, you will find something that will fit your needs.

Jimbo Robinson:

And I think this year's what I always look at is when you see that there's multiple days of tours, you know that it's an incredible and a very special one that that's obviously already either filled up one or just allows the opportunities because the team thinks that these are such special tours to do it. And Patty highlights maybe some of the the opportunities to on the tours on Wednesday.

Pattie Kempka:

Yeah. I'd love to. So just tours in general, we do have some really good options. One thing is Downtown Tampa is only a couple of miles from Ybor City, and Ybor City is where Tampa really began, and it's that Cuban and Spanish influence that's there. So we do have a walking tour of Ybor City.

Pattie Kempka:

This is not like any other city walking tour we have done in the past. This is really incredible because it goes to the history of how Tampa came together. The other thing is cigars. Cigars when you look at manufacturing of cigars in The United States historically, Tampa was the hub. And JC Newman is a great partner of Ducks Unlimited, and they are one of the few working cigar factories in The United States that is currently making cigars.

Pattie Kempka:

And this is a historic tour. When you when you walk through those halls, they are hand rolling cigars. They are the the most automated machine is probably 50 years old. So it's really fun to go in there and see how cigars are made. Another thing of particular interest on the tours is the kayaking and bird watching tour.

Pattie Kempka:

We're gonna do that in a mangrove forest. So you will there's a canopy of mangroves that you will kayak through, and if you don't want to kayak, there's there's a walking trail that the biologist will take you on. And it is it's absolutely incredible when you get into these mangrove tubes to see the wildlife, the birds, the beautiful birds, and everything that are in Florida that people come to see. So we have some great opportunities. Another thing we're trying this year is downward duck yoga.

Pattie Kempka:

This is at the hotel, and we've had a number of people sign up already.

Jimbo Robinson:

So But that doesn't start till Thursday.

Pattie Kempka:

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Jimbo Robinson:

We may we'll talk about our specials.

Bob Spoerl:

Waddle over there.

Pattie Kempka:

Please do.

Jerad Brown:

Yeah. You know, Jimbo, in addition, what's scheduled, as Patty alluded to, is the proximity of these hotels right on Tampa Bay Waterfront. There's so much activity. There's boats that you can rent, there's electric boats or motor boats, there's tours other than these scheduled, and just walking the area, Tampa is on fire. There's a lot of new activity, every day new restaurants, new bars, whatever are opening up, and it's it's happening.

Jerad Brown:

You feel the excitement of Downtown Tampa, and as if we touched on Ybor City, that is truly a lot of history, a lot of tradition. I believe in the paper on Saturday I saw they rolled a 185 foot cigar there for president Bob celebrating a hundred and eighty five years. That was one long cigar.

Jimbo Robinson:

I can't wait to see that one.

Pattie Kempka:

Now it is wonderful. There's the water taxis right outside of the hotel, the free trolley that will take you from the hotel all the way to Ybor City and all the sites in between. There's so much to see and do. Beaches are only forty five minutes away. You know, you can get a rental car at the hotel and drive to the beach.

Pattie Kempka:

Disney is is just over an hour away. So come to Tampa, but come for the fun. And there's a lot of fun, not only with what we're doing here, but what the city and the community has to offer.

VO:

Stay tuned to the Ducks Unlimited Podcast sponsored by Purina Pro Plan and Bird Dog Whiskey after these messages.

Jimbo Robinson:

Well and and convention is not just for for the volunteers. Right? No. Anybody can attend convention. Absolutely.

Jimbo Robinson:

But the activities that but we would love you know, we have a 30,000 plus volunteers. I think we're over 33,000 now. We would love for our volunteers to attend so that we can celebrate them and recognize them as president Bob said a little while ago. But but even if you're if you're interested in in being more a part about d learning about DU, which we'll talk about here in just a minute, which kinda happens on Friday in our business meetings and how the inner workings of DU work, this is a great opportunity to get involved with DU no matter what level you wanna get involved on.

Pattie Kempka:

Absolutely. And when you look at the convention and the registrations, and we're expecting over 1,100 people at this convention. Today, I have a 118 people who are signed up who are first time attendees, which is absolutely amazing. And part of that is Jerad Jerad did put a challenge out to the other board members, and, you know, we're we're getting the word out. And this is important.

Pattie Kempka:

If you're if you're a committee member, if you're a volunteer in a state and you aspire to do more for Ducks Unlimited, being around the people at convention is that lightning rod, will take you to the next level.

Jimbo Robinson:

And and president Bob said it earlier, you know, if you've attended a state convention and felt that adrenaline and felt that rush and that excitement to go to take that back to your to your local chapter, I think national convention, the same thing he said, it's it increases that adrenaline 10 times and and gets you that much more excited to either be a part of DU or or just to go back as a volunteer to help your local committee and just feel the excitement. So anybody can register for DU. We'll we'll give that that link at the end of the show, but but anybody can attend this. You gotta register for convention to be a part of the tours that we're talking about, but you don't have to do the tours. You can you can obviously hang out at the hotel and and and, like Jerad said, do things around the hotel.

Jimbo Robinson:

Being that my my son's a baseball fan, I'm a baseball player, and I'm coming to baseball, are the Devil Rays close by?

Jerad Brown:

The Rays are. The Rays are right here in Saint Petersburg.

Jimbo Robinson:

Are they in town?

Jerad Brown:

The same market that we're gonna be hosting the president's council dinner, and the rays are hot. They it it's truly impressive what the rays do with their salary versus what some of the big teams I call the Yankees and the Reds have for the players, and they're they're a great product. We not only have the the the rays here locally, but we also have the lightning. They're in the the hot mix with the the National Hockey League playoffs. So like I said, there's a lot to do.

Jerad Brown:

I actually live on Coolwater Beach, and I could strongly recommend any attendees, it's just about thirty minutes away. We're known for 25 straight miles with one or two bridges in between that, a white, soft, fluffy sand, and our numbers are somewhere close to 10 plus million people come to Clearwater, Florida for the beaches. Wow. So, yeah, that's that's definitely a must if you have, you know, kids along with you or even if you don't, it's it's something to see.

Jimbo Robinson:

Right. And and as we move into to Thursday's part of convention, I know that some of the the business there there's a lot of business that takes place. A lot of national committees meet on Thursday, and then it's kind of the the day that leads into into our first business meeting on Friday. But Thursday's a lot of national committee meetings. There's also a lot of tours that happen.

Jimbo Robinson:

That's the first day that Bob will be attending downward duck

Pattie Kempka:

yoga yoga. 7AM.

Jimbo Robinson:

Yep. At 7AM after the welcome party. Right. Normally to set set his alarm for that. But

Bob Spoerl:

My duck leotards. Yeah.

Jimbo Robinson:

But then Thursday night's kind of a a a special night. A lot of states do their own dinners and and whatnot, but let's let's move into Friday because Friday is kind of the excitement of the weekend. If if you do work and you can't attend and you can't get there until Friday, that's perfectly okay because Friday is kind of when the business session and the and the the nuts and bolts of convention began. Is that right?

Pattie Kempka:

Absolutely. And when Bob talked about, you know, the beer conventions back in the day that he went to, that is one difference about our national convention that you don't get at the state conventions. We have incredible speakers who come to this, but the production is is wonderful. We have a team that we've worked with for twenty five years on our production for a national convention. It is a first rate show.

Pattie Kempka:

We have a team of staff here at DU that work on it for six months, making sure that the conservation talks are on on point, that we have the right speakers, and I think the mix this year is very, very good.

Jimbo Robinson:

Yes. And and, Bob, some of the the speakers that that we have this year in our business meeting, know excite you. Are there any of them that that really stand out to you that you you're really looking forward to to meeting and talk and hearing about?

Bob Spoerl:

Boy, I'll tell you what. We we've had some phenomenal speakers in the past, just for the past few years, you know, the likes of Garth Brooks, Huey Lewis, you know, a lot of major companies, Fortune 500 companies, and that's no different this year. So bring them on, I mean, because our convention team's done a phenomenal job.

Jimbo Robinson:

I think Carlton Ward may not be the most well known name, but, I mean, whenever your National Geographic is kind of your background, that name speaks to everybody.

Pattie Kempka:

And he and Jerad is a a good friend of Carlton and Carlton's father, and Jerad, I'd love for you to tell us a little bit about Carlton Ward.

Jerad Brown:

Yeah. The Ward family is longtime old, you know, folks here in this Tampa Bay area. They came, I think, originally from the Georgia area, but Colton Junior is very well known in the environmental conservation world, and again, his work, his photography is well known throughout the world because of his relationship with National Geographic. If you're in that magazine and that publication with photos, you're one of the top photojournalists around. He has done significant work on what's called the corridor here in Florida with another family that lives just right down the street from me, the Demet family, Mallory Demet, and they have put together the photographic, the time, the energy, as well as the fundraising effort to protect our Florida cougar and the panther, and this quarter is very important and actually runs through a big conservation easement that DU has, DeLuca family, I believe, and that is a big component of this intact quarter that they've trying to protect for the the Florida panther.

Jimbo Robinson:

Wow.

Jerad Brown:

That he'll he'll be very interesting and a a wonderful speaker.

Pattie Kempka:

Yeah. And he ties in nicely with another speaker that we have, Arne Bellini. And Arne is Live Wildly. He's the one who recognized, and and correct me if I'm wrong on this, but it is that wildlife corridor. He's the one who's who's really funded that and made sure that that is something that is important.

Pattie Kempka:

And because of all the growth in Florida, what happened is for the panther and for other animals, the the northern grounds were really cut off from from the southern grounds. Is that right, Jerad? Am I right on this?

Jerad Brown:

That's that's correct, Patty. This quarter is so viable for not only the Florida panther, but, you know, other wildlife. It it really runs from the Everglades all up through the center, you know, with the cattlemen country. It's still green. It's not as developed as our coastline, but it's it's basically creating an intact pathway where a panther literally could leave the Everglades and go all the way up to the Florida Panhandle.

Jerad Brown:

It's impressive.

Pattie Kempka:

Yeah. And when you look at what we do at Ducks Unlimited with our flyways and in creating those rest stops for birds, This is very similar to what they're doing in Florida. Passionate people. Arnie is a passionate donor to Ducks Unlimited because he believes in what we do. And what he has been able to do in his state is remarkable.

Jimbo Robinson:

I heard Bob say president Bob say this at our at the last board meeting, but, you know, president, don't you think that that that's what's driving you to try to get new you and and, Jerad, but how important that is to get people to convention is is to hear the passion of others, not only inside of DU from staff and and some of our volunteers, but people that are outside DU and see that. I think that's what drives a lot of the excitement that people leave with from a convention is the speakers and their passion for DU. And and I think you've put a big emphasis on that this year by trying to get new people. Right, Bob?

Bob Spoerl:

Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. You know, we we've heard people talk about the good old days of duck hunting. Well, my friends, these are the best of days for Ducks Unlimited.

Bob Spoerl:

This year, we're gonna be celebrating record acres, record revenue, record easement dollars coming in. And so this is our way to recognize the volunteers, the members, the staff that have done a phenomenal job to build on the momentum year after year after year. And when you you see at convention, you'll see your dollars at work and why we are recognized as the world's largest premier wetland conservation organization bar none. And we take great pride in that, and you should as well. So it it behooves you to come on out and witness all the great things you and I have accomplished over the years in this record setting year.

Pattie Kempka:

Yeah. And, Bob, there's an elephant in the room. I mean, there is something big we are gonna celebrate on Saturday. We haven't talked about that. It's all leading up to this.

Pattie Kempka:

But tell us about what's gonna happen on Saturday at the business session.

Bob Spoerl:

Yeah. Absolutely. You know, like I said, we've not only are recognizing record acres, easements, etcetera, we will culminate the world's largest campaign, over $3,000,000,000 raised for conservation, and it culminates in Tampa. And so that's that's reason enough just to come on down to celebrate that, because those dollars are obviously, they've been put into work, and they are working every day, but we will recognize that huge, huge accomplishment that this organization, you, I, the staff, the donors, members have raised, and we will recognize that on stage in Tampa.

Jimbo Robinson:

Can you tell us the number yet?

Bob Spoerl:

I cannot. All I can tell you for sure is we will reach our goal, but how far beyond that goal, you'll have to come to convention and see.

Jerad Brown:

Hey, Jimbo. I think $3,000,000,000 campaign is impressive enough.

Jimbo Robinson:

Y'all keep saying that with that? Well, b. Right? B.

Pattie Kempka:

I love billion.

Jimbo Robinson:

B as in vitamin b.

Jerad Brown:

Vitamin b is a number.

Bob Spoerl:

Everything great begins with a b, even Bob.

Jerad Brown:

You got it. And, you know, when you have passionate volunteers and certainly donors to accomplish that in three years, that it's mind blowing. And, you know, we've touched on it earlier in the podcast, but when you're there on Saturdays and there's another thousand people in there and we make this announcement, if your hair isn't sticking up on your arms, you're dead.

Bob Spoerl:

You'll be part

Jerad Brown:

of It the is gonna be earth shattering, and it's gonna be exciting. Well Gotta be there.

Jimbo Robinson:

And this is what this is what just came to my mind when you said that to both of y'all touched on this is if you've attended a DU event, if you've bought an online raffle ticket, if you've been participating in an online auction, if you've gone to a convention in the past, if you've attended a state convention, if you've bought a piece of of one of our direct mail items, whether it's a shirt or participate in the end of the year campaign, if you have given a single penny is probably not even worth because pennies are going away, but a single dollar to Ducks Unlimited in the last six or seven years since the silent camp since the silent beginning of the campaign and really in the last three years when the campaign's been emphasized, If you have given anything to DU in that time, you should come and celebrate. Absolutely. Can. I mean, you have participated in this $3,000,000,000 plus campaign that DU is celebrating. So if you've gone to a DU event, if you've done anything, come in and and see what your attendance or what your dollar did to get us to that because we couldn't have done it without everybody.

Pattie Kempka:

No. Absolutely.

Bob Spoerl:

We we really haven't touched on it, but bring your family. This is family friendly. We have pin trading. Every state brings their own state pin. So it's it's really meant to bring your kids.

Pattie Kempka:

And we have activities for kids too. You know, there's there's a a scavenger hunt. There's Charles Jobes who is a decoy carver. He's always wonderful about getting the kids involved in painting. So we'll have things at the hotel for the kids.

Pattie Kempka:

The kids can go anywhere. You can hospitality, even though that is our gathering spot, that's very family friendly, and that is nightly. But, you know, you talk about this this announcement that we're gonna have on Saturday, and and it reminds me of when we were in San Diego and we were on the shift, and I can't remember the ship's name.

Bob Spoerl:

Midway. Aircraft Midway.

Pattie Kempka:

Yeah. Aircraft carrier midway. And when Jim Kennedy surprised us all with a $100,000,000 donation, how how it was absolutely you know, everybody was just shocked and surprised. This is how it's gonna be. I mean, this is amazing what we've done for conservation, what DU has done for conservation in the last few years, and it's a time to celebrate.

Pattie Kempka:

It's a time where we can all be very proud of what what has been accomplished.

Jimbo Robinson:

So that celebration is gonna be on Saturday. So, I mean, as you can see, as we're going through this, I mean, there is something exciting every single day starting on Tuesday. But Friday night and and president Bob hit on this a little while ago. But Friday night is that that time that we celebrate states and individuals and our top chapters that have given towards this campaign. But that celebration is going to be exciting to celebrate the people that have made this campaign what it is.

Jimbo Robinson:

And and our host, Jerad and Mark, are gonna do an incredible job. But let's talk about that celebration and kind of we can't give it all away because there are some new things this year. But what has the team done this year to make that Wings Over Wetlands so special?

Pattie Kempka:

Well, the one thing we noticed is is, you know, this is not just a recognition celebration dinner where you just recognize volunteer after volunteer. We brought in in San Diego dueling pianos, and they really elevated it, and they made it a lot of fun for everybody, whether it's it's a funny song they come up with, but but they're they're kind of that cohost. So so Jerad and Mark are gonna be running the the awards thing, but then that that silent somewhat silent cohost is going to be those dueling pianos that that really liven the event up. And it it's a it's a great fun night. And then after the awards, the dueling pianos will then come to the the foyer area where we'll have hospitality, and they'll continue to to entertain.

Pattie Kempka:

Last year, we had them stay in the same room and we all got on the stage and we danced and everything. And then we realized, you know, we have a video wall, which is probably if you have to replace it, would probably cost a few $100,000. But it was sitting there as people were dancing on stage, and our production team said, get everybody off the stage. You can't afford to lose a small. So it it'll be a fun time.

Pattie Kempka:

It'll be a great time.

Jimbo Robinson:

I'm I I love watching states celebrate each other, and I and I think that that is one of the things that drives some of that event is when you announce when you're on stage and you and you make an announcement of a of a top state in one of our several categories or you announce individuals that mean a lot to that state and watching all of the the thousand people in the crowd cheer for that individual, cheer for that state or their state, and and it makes it fun. It makes it so it keeps the night going and and keeps you engaged in in everything that's happening throughout that night, and that's a lot of fun.

Jerad Brown:

I agree with you, Jimbo. My takeaway is it's so deserving for all the states, and whether it's state chairman or, you know, one of the volunteers, and to see their effort recognized by, you know, the national board and staff there, the excitement level is huge, and you just feel so good for them because of the work that they're doing back in their state that we don't get to see every day, except for Bob who literally has lived out of suitcases past couple years as president, incoming. But the truth of the matter is it's their night. It's the night to recognize our grassroots organization. They're the heart, the soul of this organization.

Jerad Brown:

They're why we're here

Jimbo Robinson:

today. Absolutely.

Pattie Kempka:

Yeah. I remember Riley Mahaffy a few years ago, Idaho, when he won the award, and I can't even remember what award it was.

Jimbo Robinson:

Sword. When he got the first platinum That's right. Award.

Pattie Kempka:

Three time three times?

Jimbo Robinson:

Three gold. Yeah.

Pattie Kempka:

Three golds. And how everybody just stood and cheered him on because in that's Idaho. That's Idaho, guys. It's incredible.

Jimbo Robinson:

But Riley will tell you that he he didn't know, you know, most of the people there, but he continued to meet people every year at convention, and and he became friends with people in other states, and you cheer him on. And it began at convention.

Pattie Kempka:

That's right.

Jimbo Robinson:

That's right. And, Bob, I know you have lots of stories of of meeting individuals that that you've either recognized on stage at convention, but you did something special last year when you when you kind of recognized, and I remember this like it was yesterday, but you recognized four volunteers, I believe, that were that meant something to you in your first year.

Bob Spoerl:

Yeah. You know, so I was really surprised on how well that was received, not from the standpoint of, you know, their volunteers, but they represented. And and, you know, it wasn't above the individual. It's above that individual and what they represented. You know, one was a a veteran volunteer.

Bob Spoerl:

One just started a chapter a year ago out in California and has been real successful. Another has been a a a long standing volunteer that that hits multiple events in in in three states. Another one, Jerad Henson, gives a lot of his time, talent, and and treasure over multiple states. And so that's who our volunteers are. They they represent the young, the old, the experienced, the inexperienced, and that's what I wanted to get across is is that breadth of our volunteer network over, you know, 30,000 strong, all walks of life, male, female, young, old.

Bob Spoerl:

So and and that's who you meet there, and that's who you see day in and day out across this country, and that's what's so exciting.

Jimbo Robinson:

And I'm I'm really excited about Friday night. Can't wait to watch the smiles as people walk across the stage. And and once again, if you're not a volunteer or if you are a volunteer, you're not being recognized, to be able to celebrate with your state would be special. Absolutely. So make sure you're in attendance.

Jimbo Robinson:

And so we kinda hit on Saturday morning a little bit. We've got more speakers, but the big announcement is what's gonna be the anchor for Saturday and what everybody's really excited about to see how far the culmination of DE volunteers and attendees and members and contributors and supporters have done throughout this campaign. But then Saturday night is kind of that that that gala that kinda wraps up convention.

Pattie Kempka:

It is. And we have some great live auction items.

Jimbo Robinson:

And host.

Jerad Brown:

And host.

Jimbo Robinson:

We do. We

Pattie Kempka:

got two new hosts last year. Yep. Jimbo and and Clay Baird. And we really we're really excited. Benelli's joining us again this year.

Pattie Kempka:

They had they're a a sponsor of convention. And last year, they were blown away with the gun set that they came up with and what it sold for, and I believe it was $42,000. But they are doing another gun set that they think is gonna far surpass that one. So we're just you know, it it's a great time. It's the end end of that week and, you know, peep you've made new friends, you're you're enjoying your time, you're, you know, breaking bread with your DU people, and then you're dancing the night away after the live auction's done.

Pattie Kempka:

It's it is a a fun wrap up.

Jimbo Robinson:

It is. You know, I think that one of the things that kind of is watching the excitement, just like you do at a state convention or anything else, watching the excitement build to Saturday night and then being able to watch and see these live auction items sell and celebrate people getting once in a lifetime. And I really believe that some of these items are once in a lifetime items that people can purchase and take home with them or lifetime experiences or a set of decoys or whatever it may be, having the opportunity. And I've heard people say, man, I really wanted to go to convention because I know that's the only time I can get one of those items. And whether whether it's a Spinelli set or, you know, a president's gun or anything like that that that they may not be able to get at their local event, that's kind of what that convention what the convention live auction has turned into is once in a lifetime opportunities to own something special Yep.

Jimbo Robinson:

Absolutely. Or an experience.

Jerad Brown:

I I can tell you right now in my office, Jimbo, I have a moss painting right over here that I won at one of my first auction items, that convention I went to years ago, and I have a Les Kubo, several other, certainly have some of the guns of the year. So as you said, they're remarkable cherished items that are now, you know, from an artist standpoint, some of these artists are are deceased, so they are one of a kind.

Jimbo Robinson:

And I heard it said last year, look at Bob leading by example. I think Bob's participated in those live auctions every once in a while at our national convention.

Bob Spoerl:

I have. Yes. I have.

Jerad Brown:

You've been a

Pattie Kempka:

been a big winner.

Jerad Brown:

A winner. Been a big

Jimbo Robinson:

Well, let's go around and and and and, Jerad, why don't you as we begin to to wrap up this show, what any last any last minute things you wanna leave people our listeners with that that whether to entice them to come or or just something special about this year's convention that you think they can't miss?

Jerad Brown:

Jimbo, I appreciate that opportunity. The and we've touched on it throughout this this podcast. The truth of the matter is the what you think you know about DU and what you see at an area chapter or either at the state level is pale in comparison of what you will see at this national convention. The size, the scope, the energy, you know, we read about what we do, it's not the same as being there. And I can promise you, as I say out of my South Louisiana, I guarantee you you will have the best time of your life, and you will walk away going, I wanna come back next year.

Jerad Brown:

I guarantee. Bob?

Bob Spoerl:

You know, to keep with the Florida theme, you know, a lot of us have been down to the Magic Kingdom down on Disney. And what we think that, you know, trip would have been versus what we experienced were were two different things, and and national convention is the same. What you think you might know about convention is completely different than what you will actually experience at convention. So please come down to Florida, take in Disney if if you want, but certainly come to our convention because you will be surprised how strong of a conservation machine Ducks Unlimited really is, where your dollars go in the most efficient way, and why we are record setting year after year after year in conservation.

Jimbo Robinson:

And I think that if that doesn't that doesn't drive you to register today, I don't know that that that you would have ever registered anyways. But one of the other things is there will be some opportunities to participate in raffles as well. Mhmm. We have some incredible, incredible raffles. There's a volunteer team that have done an incredible job to build these flyaway frenzy packages.

Jimbo Robinson:

I wanted to just put that out there with some incredible sponsors, and and that is a a must see for attendees as well. So you'll have an opportunity to win things, spend a little money, win some stuff. But, Patty, what kind of you know, going off of what Jared and president Bob said, is there anything that that we have left out that you think our listeners should know?

Pattie Kempka:

Well, yeah, there's one thing. And, you know, Tampa is is easy to get to. If you can't come for the whole convention, come for the weekend. Do a weekend package. If you're local and you wanna come to the business session on Friday, those business sessions are open.

Pattie Kempka:

Anybody can come to the business session. You don't have to be a registrant to come. But there's also the gala, and a lot of people will come to the gala only. We we would love to have you. We'd love to have you in our company, and if if it's just the business session and gala only, come on.

Pattie Kempka:

We'll take you.

Jimbo Robinson:

Well, that's yeah. So there's something for everybody.

Pattie Kempka:

There is something for everybody.

Jimbo Robinson:

And I think that that's one of the things that that president Bob and Jerad and yourself have hit on tonight is that you don't have to to be a state chairman. You don't have to be a state volunteer. We a lot of area chairman attend. You don't even have to be an area chairman. If you're a volunteer, if you're a regular attendee to an event and you'd like to volunteer, if you just want a vacation in Tampa and have DU be a part of that this is the convention to be at in in Tampa.

Jimbo Robinson:

From what I gathered today, Tampa offers a little bit for everybody, and I think that's the most exciting thing. And and and and just to be able to celebrate the campaign and to be able to celebrate and recognize our volunteers. And I mean, we left this out, but to be able to celebrate what president Bob has done in the last two years will be exciting to watch on stage as we also welcome our new our new forty eighth president to Ducks Unlimited. So there's so much. It's gonna be awesome.

Jimbo Robinson:

If you haven't registered yet, please register. You can register at convention.ducks.org. So that will take you to the website. All the information's on there, all the tours, a lot of the stuff that we have talked about today, and it will also be in the notes on this show, but that you can register at convention.ducks.org. There's two host hotels, the JW Marriott and the Marriott

Pattie Kempka:

Water Street.

Jimbo Robinson:

Water Street.

Pattie Kempka:

And they're connected. And those two are connected. Yeah.

Jimbo Robinson:

And there's functions going on in each one of those, so there's not one that kind of outweighs the other one. No. There's things going on in both of them. So come on and join us in Tampa, May this year. It's gonna be incredible.

Jimbo Robinson:

Thank you so much for taking the time, Jerad, today to be with us on the Ducks Unlimited Podcast. President Spurrow, thank you so much for for your opportunity. I know yours how busy your schedule is and especially leading up to what you have coming up on in Tampa and and everything you do for us. And once again, thank you for listening to another exciting episode of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast. See you in Tampa.

Jimbo Robinson:

Watch out for Ducks.

VO:

Thank you for listening to the DU Podcast sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, the official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited. Purina Pro Plan, always advancing. Also proudly sponsored by Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails. Whether you're winding down with your best friend or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly. Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the show and visit ducks.org/dupodcast. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect those of Ducks Unlimited. Until next time, stay tuned to the Ducks.