The 2015 SHOT Show University and NSSF’s numerous Retailer Seminars earned compliments across the board from their hundreds of attendees as being the best ever SHOT Show events dedicated to educating retailers in the firearms industry.
Designed to provide the latest information on compliance, marketing, inventory management and dozens of other topics important to firearms retailers, SHOT Show University provided a variety of educational tracks for retailers ranging from those new to the business to those veteran entrepreneurs who have been in business for decades.
It’s an annual must-attend event for hundreds of retailers, such as retailer Matt French, who echoed similar statements from many others in post-University reviews, when he said, “This was simply the best SHOT Show University I’ve attended. The day started out strong with Dr. Linda Talley’s presentation. Everyone loved the breakout sessions, and the Afterburner keynote address was one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
Retailers Robert Kenger and Susan Galloway were also impressed by the breadth of information at SHOT Show University. “I have been to all the SHOT Show Universities NSSF has held since their beginning in 2002, and this was the best ever,” said Kenger, while Galloway commented, “This was awesome and I was very impressed. I learned so much about maturing and growing my business.”
The dozens of Retailer Seminars were also a noted success. Not only did the 13 sessions have record overall attendance of more than 2,600 retailers, several sessions such as the discussion in NFA (National Firearms Act) sales and legalities and the seminar on how retailers can profit through improved used firearms marketing, were at standing room-only capacity.
“We’re extremely pleased that so many attending this year’s SHOT Show University got so much out of the event,” said Patrick Shay, NSSF Director, Retail Development. “To receive the tremendous amount of positive feedback we did from both University attendees and those sitting in on the many Retailer Seminars we offered throughout the week of the 2015 SHOT Show tells us we’re providing the right information at the right time to the key people who introduce our industry’s goods to the consumers. Combined with the huge industry support we received for this year’s SHOT Show University event from sponsors Smith & Wesson, Celerant Technology Corp., Howard Leight by Honeywell, iTech Digital, Camillus, Joseph Chiarello & Co. Inc. and the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers, the favorable response from our retailers tells us that NSSF’s work to improve how our industry works together from manufacturer to retailer is succeeding. That certainly gives us the motivation to make next year’s event even better.”