In the heart of Salt Lake City, amid the buzz of the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, Hook & Barrel Magazine and SilencerCo teamed up to host an unforgettable VIP party that blended high-end hospitality with the spirit of the outdoors.
Held in the exclusive underground lair known as The Rabbit Hole at Lake Effect — a trendy bar and restaurant renowned for its chic and moody ambiance — the event drew approximately 100 elite guests from the firearms and hunting industries, including key partners of both brands.
This private gathering was more than just a celebration; it was a networking powerhouse, fostering connections among influencers, innovators, and enthusiasts in a unique setting that perfectly suited two brands that continually push the envelope and think outside the box.
The setup was beautiful, featuring gourmet food including crab cakes, Wagyu skewers, and shrimp ceviche; an open bar with Sugar House Distillery offering an extensive menu of unique custom cocktails; and famous SLC DJ Steez keeping the music going all night with solid sets.
The Hook & Barrel team flew into Salt Lake City specifically to host this event. “Hook & Barrel exists to define, elevate, and challenge the modern outdoor lifestyle,” said Hook & Barrel co-founder and COO Natalie Radzwilla. “This progress is built on strong relationships, and aligning with great people is what makes it possible.”
The night featured a couple of meaningful moments. John Radzwilla, Hook & Barrel’s co-founder and CEO, presented Jason Ellis — the star of H&B’s film Skate or Die — with his first bow. Jason recently left LA for a horse farm in Utah, where one of his goals is to bowhunt from horseback.
Hook & Barrel also presented signed Jason Ellis skateboard decks to the key people from SilencerCo and the Ghost Cat production team who made the film happen.
Overall, it was an epic night with quality food and drinks, real conversations in a super-cool private spot, and a few shout-outs that highlighted the brands and their partnerships.
VIP GIFT BAGS FOR ALL GUESTS
Since all guests were VIPs, specially curated gift bags were given out as a thank-you for attending:
- Magpul DAKA® Everyday Wallet: These polymer low-profile wallets are resistant to literally everything—perfect for the number of party attendees who often find themselves on the range or in the woods. Hook & Barrel chose black to fit the dark theme of the party.
- Work Sharp Folding Field Sharpener: If ever there’s a group of EDC-knife enthusiasts, it’s those attending Western Hunt Expo, which is why Hook & Barrel chose these ultra-compact, top-of-the-line sharpeners.
- StarWalker Farms Smokehouse Blend Meat Sticks: Simply “organic” isn’t good enough for Hook & Barrel party guests. These VIPs get the first-ever Regenerative Organic Certified meat sticks to nutritiously sustain them throughout the expo. For those who don’t know what regenerative ranching is, it’s a grazing-based farming method that actively restores soil health, increases biodiversity, sequesters carbon, and improves ecosystem resilience by mimicking natural herd movements through planned, intensive, short-duration rotations.
- MTNOPS Enduro, Ignite, and Hydrate Supplement Trail Packs: Hook & Barrel’s audience and social circle prioritize health and wellness, so H&B chose MTNOPS’ most popular supplements to help party guests run at optimal performance. The trail packs are perfect to add to 16-ounce water bottles while hiking, training, or attending an epic expo like Western Hunt.
