MEMPHIS, Tenn. - June 5, 2020 - Ducks Unlimited will hold its 83rd annual national convention Sept. 16-19, at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. The national convention is an annual gathering and business meeting for DU&squo;s most dedicated volunteers, partners and donors.

This year&squo;s event, postponed earlier in the year due to COVID-19 restrictions, will include insightful speakers, engaging entertainment and fun social activities during one of the most anticipated gatherings of dedicated conservationists from across North America. Attendees who want to explore central Florida during their visit will have access to special tours of Kennedy Space Center and Winter Park, along with opportunities for airboat rides through the headwaters of the Everglades, and more.

"Like the rest of the world, Ducks Unlimited has gone through some tough times in recent months," said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. "But we have much to celebrate as the world&squo;s leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation. Throughout the pandemic, DU volunteers, staff and partners have doubled down on our conservation mission, so I am especially proud to welcome the convention to Florida to honor our volunteers who make our success possible across North America.&dquo;

DU&squo;s 2020 National Convention highlights include a Thursday night welcome party at the Orlando House of Blues as well as DU President Doug Schoenrock&squo;s first convention appearance as the organization&squo;s 45th volunteer leader at Saturday morning's business session.

"I&squo;m deeply honored and humbled to serve as president of the greatest wetlands conservation organization in the world. I look forward to celebrating our accomplishments and planning for our future with Ducks Unlimited&squo;s dedicated volunteers and supporters in Orlando,&dquo; Schoenrock said.

The gathering will conclude with DU's 83rd Annual National Convention Reception, Gala and Auction.

"Every year, our Ducks Unlimited National Convention feels like a family reunion,&dquo; DU Chairman of the Board Rogers Hoyt Jr. said. "It doesn&squo;t matter when or where this annual reunion is held, it&squo;s always a gathering of like-minded conservationists celebrating the past and looking toward the future. Make your plans to be part of it."

Special thanks to our proud partners First National Bank of Omaha for sponsoring this year&squo;s convention.

Click here for more information and to register for the 2020 Ducks Unlimited National Convention, or contact Pattie Kempka at pkempka@ducks.org for additional information.

For more information visit www.ducks.org. Follow DU&squo;s newest Twitter feed - @DUNews1937 - to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.

About Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14.5 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.