Meeting/Event Information

Come and join the Garden State Chapter at one of the most beautiful sportsmen's venues in New Jersey, Griffin & Howe.  Enjoy delicious appetizers, beer, wine, soft drinks, dessert and an evening of comradery. Keynote speakers, Laird Hamberlin, CEO of Safari Club International and Dr. Brian Beakler, founder of Horn & Tusk Society will provide informative talks  about all the goings on of both organizations.  

W. Laird Hamberlin

W. Laird Hamberlin has been CEO of SCI and SCIF since April 2019.  He has been involved with Safari Club International since 1987 and has held numerous volunteer positions within SCI at the Chapter, Board of Directors and Executive Committee levels before becoming CEO. Laird currently resides in Memphis, Tennessee and is an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer.  He completed the World Hunting Award in October of 2021, having been only the 90^th person to ever accomplish this goal and has taken over 230 different species worldwide. Born and raised in Mississippi, Hamberlin has been married for 39 years to the former Katie Giardini and they have three sons; Will 35 (deceased), Hunter 32 and Walker 29.  He holds a BBA in Marketing from Delta State University, is an Eagle Scout and is a Certified 6 Sigma Black Belt. You can expect to hear Laird talk about the Six core Pillars of SCI, Advocacy, Conservation, Convention, Membership, Hunting and Chapters.  He will also brief us on the SCI Foundation and the recent acquisition of The Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation. If you haven't heard Laird speak before, I promise this is an opportunity you don't want to miss.

Dr. Brian Beakler

Dr. Brian Beakler is the co-founder of the Horn and Tusk Society, an organization dedicated to premier hunting experiences and conservation-driven partnerships. A lifelong hunter and fisherman, Brian was born and raised in south central Pennsylvania and has spent more than 30 years traveling the world in pursuit of big game. His greatest passion lies in Africa—its wildlife, landscapes, and people—which ultimately inspired the founding of the Horn and Tusk Society in 2024 alongside his partner. Together, they operate concessions in some of the finest elephant and leopard hunting areas in Zimbabwe. Brian will discuss the Horn and Tusk Society, how it operates, and its current focus on prioritizing and planning conservation funding initiatives across Africa. In addition to his work with the Society, he owns and operates Beakler Consulting Services, a global consulting firm focused exclusively on the wood products industry, where he and his associates brings deep technical expertise and industry leadership.

The evening will also feature a small silent auction, a gift basket raffle and the drawing of a Guided Texas  Exotics hunt with Pope Brothers Guide Service.

We look forward to seeing you there.