96th Annual Dude Ranchers’ Association Convention

Are you ready for more cowboy action in Wickenburg, AZ!? We hope so – because the Dude Ranchers’ Association (DRA) is coming to town and bringing dude ranchers, vendors, sponsors, speakers, and of course, a whole herd of cowboys with them! For 4 days in January (17th-20th) the Dude Ranchers’ Association will be taking over Rancho de los Caballeros to host their 96th annual convention. We all know that Wickenburg is usually known as the Team Roping Capital of the world, but not too long-ago Wickenburg was also known as the Dude Ranch Capital of the world!

For the last 90+ years (aside from 2021), convention attendees have been coming together to exchange ideas, discuss new topics, and plan for the future of keeping dude ranching alive and well for many years to come. The DRA expects this all to take place once again, plus so much more!

After almost two years of being apart, these ranchers, vendors, sponsors, speakers, and corporate members are ready to come together to conduct business, prepare the industry for a busy year ahead, share ideas, and have some fun. All while enjoying a great Dude Ranchers’ Association member ranch, Rancho de los Caballeros. There will be many opportunities for networking and socializing, learning from speakers, visiting with vendors in the trade show, and having a great time at the annual DRA auction!

The lineup of speakers and vendors this year is quite impressive! Speakers will present on topics such as:

➼ What to Know About Working with Travel Agents in the Current Market
➼ How to Roundup and Retain Seasonal Employees
➼ Tack Management and Best Practices for Getting Horses Ready for the Trail
➼ Wildfire Mitigation Strategies for Dude Ranches

The attending vendors range from western attire businesses to digital marketing firms and everything in between.

“It takes a lot of moving parts to operate a dude ranch and the DRA does its absolute best every year to prepare a convention that meets the needs of their member ranches, and to provide support to ensure a strong year ahead. I believe this convention will provide some fantastic resources and opportunities for our member ranches, especially after not being able to meet last year,” says Bryce Albright, Executive Director of the DRA.

The DRA represents a broad spectrum of dude and guest ranches across North America, ranging from rustic, “no-frills” working ranches to luxury resort-style ranches offering five-star cuisine and spa treatments. Established in 1926, the DRA was founded to preserve, protect, and promote the unique experience and identity of a dude ranch vacation. There are now more than 90 DRA-accredited ranches in the US and Canada. Membership identifies a ranch as meeting the highest standards of the dude ranching industry. Guests at a DRA-accredited ranch can expect genuine, Western hospitality combined with the lodging industry’s latest standards.