Nevertheless, he is especially excited about participating in the inaugural Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, a four-day extravaganza projected to draw 30,000 people to the Salt Palace Convention Center Wednesday through Sunday.

"It's a big day for us and a big day for our company," Brooks said, citing the opportunity to share Salt Palace space with a collection of the most prestigious organizations in the hunting world, including the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, the Mule Deer Foundation, Sportsmen for Habitat and the Utah-based Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife.

"It's a big day for wildlife in Utah to bring these groups together and attract this many people to our city and state," he added. "We'll have people from all over the world here."

The list of 550 exhibitors whose booths will pack the expanded Salt Palace includes a handful of companies from New Zealand. Companies offering African safaris are represented, along with outfitters and guides from Mexico and Spain, Canada and Argentina.

Numerous U.S. states known for their wildlife will be represented, as well as private hunting-oriented companies and state agencies that govern wildlife resources.

For Brooks, the convention might provide some walk-up business as crowds meander through the array of booths. But the main benefit, he said, will be long-term. "If we can promote wildlife in the state, that promotes our company nationwide. And the bulk of our business - simply because of sheer population numbers - is across the country and around the world."

Sportsman's Warehouse, a retail chain with four stores in Utah and close to 60 in 25 other states, signed on as a sponsor because of the potential to secure more business from near and far.

Randy Gregersen, manager of the Sportsman's Warehouse store in Midvale, said the high volume of foot traffic projected to flow through the Salt Palace should "familiarize a lot of people to the fact that we have four stores in Utah and get them excited about outdoor activities."

But he also hopes his company can make an impression on the well-heeled hunters expected to fly into Salt Lake City for a shot at one of the 200 available trophy hunting permits.

"This is more of a high-end show than the [annual spring] International Sportsmen's Expo," said Gregersen. "This is just the first year of the show but we're hoping it's a success."

Gary Stringham will be one of the exhibitors, promoting both the Little Red Creek CWMU (Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit), where he can lead hunters in pursuit of deer, elk and moose, and his Tabby Mountain Ranch.

The latter, on the south slopes of the Uinta Mountains, soon will have an 11,000-square-foot lodge that Stringham maintains will be a great jumping-off point for hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. It also will be equipped with archery ranges, paintball courses and meeting rooms for corporate retreats.

And with so many other enticing recreational outings being promoted all around him, Stringham intends to be a buyer, as well as a seller. "Because I'm an avid hunter and fly fisher, I'll try to line up a trip for me and my family," he said.

Dean Schulte, owner of High Uintas Taxidermy in Coalville, said he never can tell if a show will generate much business. But he has fairly high hopes heading into this one.

"It will broaden our exposure and, hopefully, somebody you give a brochure to will come back to you," he said. "Because of what's being offered with the trophy tags, I hope to pick up one of your high-roller coasters rather than your typical Utah guy who's a budget-minded individual."

mikeg@sltrib.com