The DUX Expo will be held August 1–3, 2025, at the newly renovated Renasant Convention Center, marking the start of a three-year commitment to host the event in the Bluff City. Originally held in Texas, the event is now coming “home” to DU’s headquarters city.
“The Expo has been at it for a number of years in Texas and Ducks Unlimited is bringing it home to Memphis starting in 2025,” said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Tourism. “They’ll be here for the next three years. We’re very excited about this.”
The DUX Expo is expected to draw over 15,000 attendees and more than 200 outdoor vendors from 42 states, bringing significant economic impact to the city.
“This has been a year and a half in the making and what a great shot in the arm for the Memphis economy,” Kane added. “It impacts our restaurants, our hotels, obviously our museums. The entire economy of hospitality gains from this.”
DU CEO Adam Putnam emphasized Memphis’ deep ties to the organization and the outdoors industry. “We’re excited to be back. For those of you who may remember in the mid-90s, Ducks Unlimited had the Great Outdoors Festival… After a bit of a hiatus, we’re happy to be home and happy to be here in a beautiful space that gives us all of the room that we need.”
Highlighting the region’s legacy in waterfowling, Putnam said, “We certainly recognize that the Mid-South is the destination of choice for waterfowlers from around the world… Memphis is part and parcel of that growth and expansion.”
The event will feature a wide array of outdoor lifestyle exhibits, from ATVs and side-by-sides to gear for various hunting seasons. “Now’s the time to get your early Christmas shopping done, or re-up and refresh your kit for the waterfowl season,” Putnam said.
DU Board Chair James Cook, a Memphian and lifelong conservationist, reflected on the significance of bringing DUX home.
“It’s an honor to stand here before you today as we announce an event that celebrates our shared passion for conservation, the great outdoors, and also the spirit of the Memphis community.”
City Council Chair Ford Canale expressed gratitude on behalf of the city. “Relocating this event back home is a strong vote of confidence for our city, and it means so much to have a hometown organization like Ducks Unlimited investing right here in our community,” he said.
The DUX Expo is part of a broader initiative to showcase Memphis as a hub for outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. With support from major sponsors including Purina, Rolling Thunder, and others, Ducks Unlimited continues to deepen its roots in Memphis, reinforcing its identity as a conservation leader both locally and globally.
