The Dixie Deer Classic has been recognized nationally as the PREMIER TROPHY WHITETAIL DEER SHOW in the country. It was the first successful show of its kind, and lit the spark that has brushfired into similar shows all across the nation. The show has seen steady growth since its inception in 1981, and each year we think the show just completed was the best ever. All available exhibit space is used to maximum advantage while keeping large aisle spacing for crowd movement. Exhibit space is normally sold out months prior to the show, and there is normally a long waiting list of venders still on our waiting list when we open the show. The show is held annually the first weekend of March, based on the Sunday date. (Note that the show opening for Friday is 9 AM starting in 2008 instead of 4 PM.)

The show is held at the NC State Fairgrounds in the Jim Graham Building, Exposition Center, and Dorton Arena, these buildings total over 175,000 square feet.

The North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, North Carolina is located in the center of the growing Research Triangle Area of Central North Carolina within easy driving distance for more than a million people. The show has sold an average of 20,000 three-day admission tickets the past few years, with many taking advantage of the multiple day admission. Local motel/hotel operators report good weekend business due to out of town visitors to the show staying over night to attend more than one day. Many venders report complete sell out of their merchandise, and some outfitters have reported booking their entire hunting season. Many venders tell us that they make more sales at the Dixie Deer Classic than they do at any other show, including longer shows.

Since the beginning, the Dixie Deer Classic has brought in nationally known speakers and/or entertainers for the enjoyment and education of our attending clientele. We have enjoyed the hunting tales of Fred Bear, Chuck Adams, John Wooters, Dick Idol, Myles Keller, Roger Raglan, Brenda Valentine, Ted Nugent, Mark Drury, Harold Knight, and David Hale. We've been amazed by John Munden and Byron Ferguson, Frank Addington, and Maggie McGee. We’ve also learned from Dr James Kroll, Dr Grant Woods, Larry Weishuhn, Joe Hamilton, and Scott Osborne. We’ve also admired all the great whitetail trophies that have visited the show: The Jordan Buck, Desi Buck, Hole-In-Horn-Buck, Hanson Buck, Beatty Buck, Zaft Buck, and many others in the traveling collections that have visited the show throughout the years.

The Dixie Deer Classic is a family oriented event, and we try to offer something for everyone. All youth 12 and under have always been admitted free of charge, and we even operate a “BB Gun Turkey Shoot” just for them. Starting in 2008, Friday will be considered "Youth Day", and the 13 to 18 year olds will be admitted for half price on that day only. There also are special programs being planned for the beginning hunter and shooter. For the older competitors, there is an indoor 3-D archery shoot that brings in some of the best amateur shots in the state. Appropriate dress and behavior is expected of all exhibitors and their staff throughout the show.

For our visitors to remember the show there is a FREE souvenir program distributed to the attendees. It contains articles and stories related to the current show, and plenty of room for our exhibitors to place their ads. Many exhibitors have reported post-show sales to Dixie Deer Classic attendees that reached them from their ad in the program. You will be contacted by our media agent concerning ad space for your company.

Exhibit space is rented in 100 sq. ft. increments of 10’ x 10’ booths. Multiple space rentals are permitted, and some 20’ x 20’ “Store Booths” are available. A typical booth comes equipped with 8’ high back drop curtain, 3’ high side curtains, one 8’ vinyl covered table, two chairs, carpet, and a sign bearing the exhibitors name. Corner booths have a 3’ side curtain replaced with a 6’ vinyl covered table. Store booths are 20’ x 20’ and come with 8’ back curtains and 8’ side curtains for the back 10’ feet. The front 10’ of sideline is 3’ high curtain. The space is carpeted, and comes with four 8’ vinyl covered tables, four chairs, and sign. Bulk floor space is also available. Additional show equipment may be rented from our show company, and ordered in advance from Southern Exhibition Services at (919) 687-4970 or southxpo@bellsouth.net. Electrical hookups will be available at no charge.
Click Here for the 2008 Exhibitor Contract and Form

Show Schedule

Vehicles are permitted in all buildings for unloading and loading purposes, except Friday morning. The building must be completely vacated by 10 PM on Sunday. Monday morning pickups must be arranged through the N.C. State Fairgrounds.

Any pre-show shipments should be held by the carrier until Thursday, or delivered to our show contractor, Southern Exhibition Services. There is a loading dock at the Expo Center building, and fork lift service is available.

Raffles may only be conducted by Non-Profit organizations, and must be registered with the show. Stage time will be allotted for announcement of winners on Sunday afternoon after awards are presented in the Trophy Whitetail categories.

The Dixie Deer Classic is sanctioned for “off premises” gun sales (GUN SHOW), but, the public is not permitted to bring any firearms on the premises for trade or repair. Any firearms displayed in exhibits that are within reach of the public must be disabled. Dorton Arena is our Gun Sales Venue, and tables may be rented in this area instead of booths. Table rentals are limited to FFL dealers.

There is a restaurant within the Jim Graham Building, and snacks are sold at various locations throughout the show. On Saturday evening after the show we have an Exhibitors Appreciation Banquet in a nearby building.

No pets or livestock will be permitted into the show, unless they are an integral part of an exhibit, and prior written permission is received from the show management. Dogs are only allowed for exhibitors registered as a Trainer or Kennel.

Links to the Master Floor Plan of the entire show and the individual buildings are provided.
Dixie Deer Classic Building Information
Dixie Deer Classic Buildings 
Building 1 - Jim Graham Building (note: PDF File that opens in new window)
Building 2 - Dorton Arena (note: PDF File that opens in new window)
Building 3 - Exposition Center (note: Image File that opens in new window)

Our exhibitors are allowed to contract for their exhibit space a year in advance, and those that do have the option of retaining their current location. The Jim Graham Building has 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, The Expostion Center has 50,000, and Dorton Arena has approximately 25,000 on the arena floor. A 240 foot tent tunnel connects the Arena to Jim Graham for all-weather crowd flow and a covered walkway connects Jim Graham to the Expo Center. Outdoor exhibit space is also available in the courtyard between the buildings. This space is usually priced by the square foot at a tenth of the indoor space, with a minimum of 400 square foot per contract. We can arrange for tenting on this space at cost. Please contact us to assure availability of indoor and outdoor locations that interest you.

We are now taking applications for exhibitor space. Keep in mind that all space is available on a modified first come first served basis, and our shows have been completed sold out for many years. To apply, you can either down load and print the PDF application and submit it to us with deposit via mail, or you may make the application on line using the "Application" link and we will contact you about the deposit. All accounts must be paid in full by 15 Dec 2007.
Click Here for the 2008 Exhibitor Contract and Form

Be aware that the exhibitors waiting list and applications are managed to maintain a mix of exhibitors and prevent an over saturation of one type. This is what is meant by a "modified" first come first served basis. As an example, if an outfitter from Colorado applies for space, and there are already a large number of Colorado outfitters under contract, he may not get space in the show, but a Wyoming outfitter that applies at a later day may get in because there are not many outfitters from Wyoming under contract. Also, an exhibitor may be deemed inappropriate for the show, and their application not accepted, especially if other more appropriate venders are on the waiting list. The management goal with this is to offer the most diverse grouping of sales and services possible for our attending public.

Mailing Address:
Dixie Deer Classic
P.O. Box 99048
Raleigh, NC 27624