The Ducks Unlimited national conventions have been some of the best travel experiences for DU supporters John and Alexandra Alex Spizziri. They have been to many past conventions including Texas, twice to Alaska and the most recent convention held in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii. They enjoy meeting people at the conventions who are passionate about DU and seeing friends that they made at past conventions.

The Ducks Unlimited conventions are in places we havent been, and we get to see amazing new things like glaciers in Canada, John said. The conventions are always very well done.

John and Alex are long-time DU members who started volunteering in the 1980s. John was introduced to DU when his best friend encouraged him to go to a dinner. He soon started volunteering on the dinner planning committees. John served as a state chair for two years when he lived in New Jersey and was an officer for the Hudson River DU Chapter before he and Alex moved to Montana to be closer to their family. The Spizziris now live in Ryegate, Montana, a ranching community 60 miles northwest of Billings, and are involved with the Montana State Council.

Alex has been involved from the beginning, John said. Working with the Hudson River committee she would solicit gifts from local merchants for the banquets.

The couple has a history of giving to DU. They are on the Benefactor roll of honor and have been members of the Presidents Council for several years. Even their dogs have gotten in on the DU giving as part of DUs Retriever Club. At the DU convention in Hawaii John and Alex completed their Benefactor level pledge putting Montana over the top for its $1 million fundraising goal.