One year from now, on the weekend of October 2-4, 2015, the inaugural American Birding Expo will be held in Columbus, Ohio. This commercial event is designed to bring together nature-oriented consumers with companies, destinations, organizations and their products and services, which are aimed at birders and nature enthusiasts. The event, to be held on the grounds of The Grange Insurance Audubon Center in downtown Columbus, Ohio, will feature more than 75 different vendors from all over the world. Attendance is free and open to the public.

"There's never been a commercial North American show of this size devoted exclusively to birders and nature lovers," said Bill Thompson, III, who heads up the Expo organizing team. "We feel that this is a wonderful opportunity for consumers to interact directly with the companies, organizations, and destinations that really want their business. It's also an excellent opportunity for the birding business community to market directly, in-person to nature-oriented consumers," he added.

From midday on Friday, October 2, until early evening on Sunday, October 4, the buildings and marquee tents will be filled with every product and service imaginable, aimed at the birding consumer. Vendors who have already committed to participate represent many of the top birding destinations worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Honduras, Panama, Guatemala, Spain, Portugal and dozens of others. Major birding optics and tour companies will be Expo vendors, as will the leading manufacturers and retailers of birding gear and bird-feeding products in North America.

In concert with all of the commerce at the American Birding Expo will be a massive bird conservation fundraising project to support three separate causes: one local, one North American, and one international bird conservation cause. Bird Watcher's Digest will be partnering with conservation organizations to ensure the success of this fundraising project. Funds will be raised primarily through attendee donations and vendor/sponsor support, and a conservation raffle.

The American Birding Association (www.aba.org) is a host/partner in co-promoting this event to the birding community. The ABA will be holding a members' meeting on the Grange Insurance Audubon Center grounds just prior to the Expo. ABA members will get a special sneak preview tour of the Expo on Friday, October 2.

"All of us at the ABA are looking forward to the American Birding Expo with keen anticipation," said Jeffrey A. Gordon, president of the American Birding Association. "We love the energy, the excitement, and the commitment of the birding community and not only does ABE promise to be a heck of a fun party, it offers birders a terrific opportunity to come together in support of the birds we all love and to do so in a way that will have positive impacts far into the future," he added.

Entry into the American Birding Expo is free and open to the public. Attendees who register for the Expo in advance will be entered into a special "Early Birder" raffle of prizes that will include optics, birding tours and trips, birding gear, artwork, and other items. To be entered into the Early Birder raffle, pre-register at www.birdingexpo.com. The raffle drawings will be held each day at 2 p.m. Winners must be present to receive their prizes.

For more information, and to register to receive Expo updates, visit www.birdingexpo.com.

Vendor and sponsor inquiries can be directed to:
Wendy Clark
Sales and Events Director
+330-413-1532
wendy@birdwatchersdigest.com