2026 TRADE SHOW 
SEASON IS HERE!

Why Join Your Local Taxidermy Association?

Joining a taxidermy association, whether you are new to the trade or a seasoned professional, offers numerous benefits, including enhancing your skills, expanding your network, and growing your business. Among the most compelling advantages is the opportunity to participate in trade shows, which associations commonly organize. These events provide invaluable experiences for attendees.

• Networking and Community Building
Trade shows serve as a platform to engage with fellow taxidermists, fostering connections and exchanging insights. The opportunity to share experiences, stories, and professional tips can reinvigorate your passion for the craft and provide fresh perspectives to apply in your studio.

• Educational Opportunities
Trade shows typically feature seminars designed to advance your expertise. These sessions showcase the latest techniques and innovations, helping you refine your skills and work more efficiently. By attending, you gain knowledge that can directly enhance the quality of your craft.

• Vendor Interaction and Product Insights
The ability to examine products firsthand and interact with vendors adds a valuable dimension to understanding tools and materials beyond catalog descriptions. Renowned suppliers, such as McKenzie Taxidermy Supply, often provide special show discounts on their products during these events. Building personal relationships with vendors and their teams can also prove beneficial for future collaborations.

• Professional Development Through Competition
Entering a taxidermy piece into a competition allows you to receive constructive feedback from judges, offering insights into your strengths and areas for improvement. This process not only sharpens your craft but also builds your reputation as a skilled professional in the field.

• Commitment to Excellence
By joining a taxidermy association, you gain access to resources and opportunities that support your professional development. Enhanced skills and knowledge lead to greater customer satisfaction and a deeper appreciation for your work.

For those who have not yet joined their state or local taxidermy association, membership offers a meaningful opportunity to elevate your craft and strengthen your presence in the industry. Consider becoming a member today to take advantage of these valuable benefits.

Below is the state association contact information and the
2026 taxidermy show dates that we are aware of at this time.

Alabama - June 18-21: Alabama Taxidermists Association Convention & Competition will be held at Lake Guntersville State Park, 1155 Lodge Dr. in Guntersville, Alabama. Contact Tonya O’Tinger (Secretary) at (217) 440-6294 or.

Alaska

Arkansas - July 10-12: Arkansas Taxidermists Association and Competition will be held at the Holiday Inn Airport Convention Center, Little Rock, Arkansas. Contact Sean Henderson (President) at (501) 239-3614

California - April 30-May 2: California Wildlife Art & Taxidermy Competition Show will be held at the Shasta District Fair & Event Center, Hwy 273 & Briggs Street, Anderson, California. Contact Kevin Tedder (President) at (530) 227-7060

Colorado - May 27-30: Colorado State Taxidermy Championships will be held at the Western Heritage Center, 275 S. Spruce Street, Gunnison, Colorado 81230, (970) 641-8561. Contact Cliff Carney (President) at (970) 234-0262

Connecticut - May 29-31: New England Regional Convention and Competition hosted by the New England Association of Taxidermists at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. For more information, contact Steve Mudgette at (978) 771-4185

Delaware - May 29-31: New England Regional Convention and Competition hosted by the New England Association of Taxidermists at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. For more information, contact Steve Mudgette at (978) 771-4185

Eastern Regional Taxidermy Association - March 12-15: Eastern Regional Association and Taxidermy Convention will be held at the Clarion Inn Frederick, 5400 Holiday Drive, Frederick, Maryland. For more information, contact Jennifer Carder (240) 674-9146 or marylandtaxidermists@gmail.com

Florida - February 5-7: Florida State Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition will be held at the Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Blvd, Gainesville, Fl 32606. Contact Theresa Durham at (386) 546-7353 or theresadurhamfsta@yahoo.com

Georgia - April 30-May 2: Georgia Taxidermy Association Annual Convention and Competition will be held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, 401 Golden Isles Parkway, Perry, Georgia. Contact Christie Yawn (Secretary) at (229) 860-0210 or gataxidermyassociation@gmail.com

Hawaii

Idaho - June 4-6: The Idaho Taxidermy Association Convention will be held at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Contact Cliff Carney at (970) 234-0262 or cliffntaxidermy@gmail.com

Illinois - June 11-14: The Illinois Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition will be held at the Decatur Conference Center & Hotel in Decatur, IL. Contact Ryan Patterson at (309) 389-4174 or ripatterson78@yahoo.com

Indiana - May 14-17: 2026 Indiana Taxidermy Championships. Clifty Inn at Clifty Falls State Park, 1650 Clifty Hollow Road, Madison, Indiana.

Iowa - March 26-29: Iowa Taxidermy Association Annual Show and Competition will be held at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel, 1800 50th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Contact Tim Schroeder, ITA President, at (515) 231-7185 or timschro10@gmail.com

Kansas - March 28-30: The 44th Annual Kansas Association of Taxidermists Convention and Competition will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Wichita, Kansas. Contact Wes Becker at (316) 706-7645 or mnwtaxidermy@gmail.com

Kentucky - June 25-28: Kentucky Taxidermy Association Convention will be held at the Cave City Convention Center, 502 Mammoth Cave Street, Cave City, Kentucky 42127. Contact Terry Driver (270) 622-0205 or wildlifecraze00@gmail.com

Louisiana - May 14-16: Louisiana Taxidermists Association Annual Convention, Competition, and Crawfish Boil will be held at the Randolf River Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. Contact David Burnaman (President) at (225) 485-6070 or dburnaman69@att.net

Maine - May 15-17: Contact Sam Casside (207) 975-2257

Maryland - March 12-15: Hosted by the Eastern Regional Association and Taxidermy Convention will be held at the Clarion Inn Frederick, 5400 Holiday Drive, Frederick, Maryland. For more information, contact Jennifer Carder (240) 674-9146 or marylandtaxidermists@gmail.com

Massachusetts - May 29-31: New England Regional Convention and Competition hosted by the New England Association of Taxidermists at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. For more information, contact Steve Mudgette at (978) 771-4185

Michigan - April 9-12: Michigan Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition will be held at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant,  Michigan. Contact Marc Skutt at (810) 287-5919 or.

Minnesota - April 9-12: Minnesota Taxidermy Guild Competition & Convention will be held at the Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center in Alexandria, Minnesota. Contact Aaron Reiling (President) at (218) 443-1401 or.

Mississippi - April 23-25: The Mississippi State Taxidermist Association Convention and Competition will be held at the Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond, Mississippi. Contact Dan Beasley at (601) 259-7826 or heasleyd@bellsouth.net

Missouri - August 13-16: Missouri Taxidermist Association - contact Ryan Garrison at (910) 723-9029

Montana - March 26-29: Western Regional Convention and Competition will be held at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Lane, Billings, Montana. Contact Autumn Evans at (661) 666-3587 or chipclip@sbcglobal.net

Nebraska - June 11-14: Nebraska State Taxidermy Association, contact Ben Hansen at (402) 461-0861 or hansentaxidermy21@gmail.com

New England - May 29-31: New England Regional Convention and Competition hosted by the New England Association of Taxidermists at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. For more information, contact Steve Mudgette at (978) 771-4185

New Hampshire - May 31 - June 2: New England Regional Convention and Competition hosted by the New England Association of Taxidermists at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. For more information, contact Steve Mudgette at (978) 771-4185

New Jersey

New Mexico - April 23-26: New Mexico Taxidermy Association contact Chris Meadors at (505) 801-7033

New York - April 16-19: United Taxidermists of New York Annual Show and Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn in Auburn, New York. Contact Jerry St.Pierre at (607) 761-9709 or gtstpierre@gmail.com

North Carolina - July 30 - August 1: The North Carolina Taxidermists Association Convention will be held at the Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport, 1 Marriott Drive, Greensboro, NC 27409. Contact Ryan Garrison at (910) 723-9029 or ryangarrison1@yahoo.com

North Dakota - March 13-15: North Dakota Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition will be held at the Bismarck Hotel & Conference Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. Contact Bill Neuman at (320) 293-5249 or.

National Taxidermists Association - July 16-18: The National Taxidermists Association 55th Convention and Competition will be held at the Holiday Inn University Plaza - Bowling Green, Kentucky. Contact Colt Ford at (229) 237-6353 or.

Ohio - July 10-12: The Ohio Taxidermists Association Convention will be held at the Ohio Training and Conference Center in Mansfield, Ohio. Contact Aaron Phillips (419) 399-0793 or wildlegendstaxidermy@gmail.com.

Oklahoma - June 4-6: Oklahoma Taxidermy Convention and Competition will be held at the Doubletree Tulsa Warren Center, 6110 S Yale Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Contact Steve Eccard at (208) 284-5851 or.

Oregon - June 18-20: Oregon Taxidermy Association Convention - contact Darly Keyes at (402) 276-1005 or darylkeyes93@gmail.com

Pennsylvania - March 18-21: Pennsylvania Taxidermists Association State Taxidermy Show will be held at the. Kovalchick Center in Indiana, PA. Contact Jens Jorgensen at (724) 699-0187 or jensejorgensen@zoominternet.net

Rhode Island - May 31 - June 2: New England Regional Convention and Competition hosted by the New England Association of Taxidermists at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. For more information, contact Steve Mudgette at (978) 771-4185

South Carolina - June 4-6: South Carolina Association of Taxidermists - contact Hunter Evans (843) 372-2994 or fowlmouthtaxidermy.com

South Dakota - March 19-22: South Dakota Taxidermist Association Convention will be held at the Ramkota Motel and Events Center in Watertown, South Dakota. Contact Michyl Cahoy (605) 252-0221 or michyl.cahoy@k12.sd.us

Tennessee - July 23-25: Tennessee Taxidermy Association and Competition will be held at Pickwick State Park in Counce, Tennessee. Contact Brian Brew at brianbrew2000@yahoo.com

Texas - June 24-28: Texas Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition will be held at the Killeen Civic Center in Killeen, Texas. Contact Keeley Busbee-Smith at (830) 377-1359 or.

Utah - March 18-21: Utah Taxidermists Association Annual Convention will be held at the Golden Spike Event Center, 1000 N 1200 W St, Ogden, Utah 84404. Contact Logan Christensen (President) at (801) 388-4359 or bighornwildlifestudios@yahoo.com

Vermont - May 30 - June 1: The New England Regional Convention and Competition. Hosted by the New England Association of Taxidermists (NEAT) at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. For more information, contact Wayne Rodd at (413) 562-1993 or cell (413) 896-4661

Virginia - March 5-7: The Virginia Taxidermists Association Annual Convention & Competition will be held at the Best Western, 109 Appletree Lane, Waynesboro, Virginia. Contact President Matt Jones at (804) 445-3832 or Mjones0508@gmail.com

West Virginia - June 11-14: The West Virginia Taxidermists Association Convention and Competition will be held at the Days Inn Conference Center in Flatwoods, West Virginia. Contact David Secrist (304) 919-3960 or dasecrist@k12.wv.us

Western Regional - March 26-29: Western Regional, hosted by the Montana Taxidermists Association, will be held at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center in Billings, Montana. Contact Autumn Evans at (661) 666-3587 or chipclip@sbcglbal.net

Wisconsin - April 9-11: Wisconsin Taxidermist Association State Championships will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay, 2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 54313. Contact Tara Radovan at (920) 585-4455

Wyoming - April 16-18: Wyoming Taxidermy Association Convention will be held at the Hangar Bar & Grill, 1410 Prairie Lane, Bar Nunn, Wyoming. Contact Kelsey Reece at (307) 751-9170 or pineycreektaxidermy92@gmail.com

Below is a list of National and International Associations: