Author: Diedra Cauley

Vegas Hotel Space at a Premium—Book Your SHOT Show Rooms Now

SHOT Show is one of the biggest trade shows in the nation and certainly one of the top shows utilizing the conference venues in Las Vegas—but it’s not the only one. This year, several other Las Vegas-based trade shows are taking place during the same dates as the 2015 SHOT Show, Jan. 20-23. That means hotel space will be at a premium.

“The last thing anyone planning to attend SHOT Show wants to do is find themselves in a hotel far from the strip and a long taxi ride from the Sands Expo Center,” stated Diedra Cauley, Director Exhibitions and Conferences. “NSSF has always had a dedicated block of hotel rooms available at special discounts for our attendees. This year, because of the stiff competition for hotel rooms we anticipate show attendees will encounter, we’ve expanded that block to make sure everyone who wants and needs to be at SHOT has a comfortable and affordable place to stay.”

NSSF’s official headquarter hotel is the Venetian/Palazzo, but through our booking partner OnPeak, we have special rates available at more than 20 official SHOT Show hotels convenient to the Sands Expo Center. They cover a wide variety of room-per-night price ranges and amenities, and all are within walking distance or a short cab ride from the Sands, in addition to having regular shuttle bus service to and from the show.

Reservations for these official SHOT Show hotel rooms ends Dec. 17, 2014, but bookings fill fast, so we encourage all our exhibitors and attendees to make their reservations now. Attendees and exhibitors interested in booking rooms in the Venetian/Palazzo can click here or call. Be sure to tell the reservation assistant you will be attending SHOT Show to receive the appropriate discount. For more information on all available SHOT Show official hotels, click here.

Important SHOT Show Travel Numbers

  • Venetian/Palazzo—U.S. 866-580-1198; International 702-414-4100
  • OnPeak—U.S. 800-388-8104; International 312-527-7300

 

Diedra Cauley is the director of exhibitions and conferences for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow her on Twitter at @dcauley.

International Buyer Program SHOT Show Webinar Coming Up—Mark Your Calendars

For the second year in a row, the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting, and shooting sports industry, is working with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program (IBP) to offer two unique programs to our U.S. exhibitors. These two programs focus on networking and enhancing business opportunities between U.S. suppliers exhibiting at SHOT Show and international buyers, and to encourage interested exhibitors in participating, the NSSF, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce (U.S. DOC), is holding an informational webinar, Sept. 23, live at 1:00 p.m. EST. This webinar is free to U.S.-based SHOT Show exhibitors.

Webinar information will cover both IBP programs. The first of these, the B2B Matchmaking Program, focuses on connecting U.S. suppliers with international purchasers before, during, and after the show. The second component is the Showtime Program, where U.S. exhibitors will have the chance to meet with commercial specialists from U.S. embassy representatives and consulates attending the show, in an effort to provide those U.S. companies with country-specific market information and open discussions regarding export options.

“It is imperative that SHOT Show drive these introductions and pave the way for our exhibitors to enter new markets. As we all know, the domestic market has experienced record high sales over the last few years. Cultivating the international market is yet another way to diversify our exhibitors’ product exposure and expand their reach. This webinar is an excellent introduction to the benefits and how-tos of incorporating such diversification into those ongoing business plans.”

Registration for the Sept. 23 webinar can be made by clicking here. More information on these special exhibitor opportunities is available here.

To register for the B2B Program, e-mail Jennifer Woods at jennifer.woods@trade.gov. Those interested in attending the Showtime Program should contact Tatyana Aguirre at tatyana.aguirre@trade.gov.

Diedra Cauley is the director of exhibitions and conferences for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow her on Twitter at @dcauley.

Develop a Winning SHOT Show Game Plan

Football VictoryStepping onto the playing field and looking at the crowd can be a nerve-wracking or electrifying experience, and a big dependent on how you feel is how you prepare for the game. So, what can you do to be the all-star on the SHOT Show floor? Here’s what many successful exhibitors view as a winning game plan.

Know the Game

Before you rush into a game plan, it is crucial to know the game you are playing, as well as your role in it. Visit the SHOT Show website to find information for attendees, exhibitors and media. You will find that there are several show tools, resources and sponsorship opportunities available to assist your efforts for the show. Read the exhibitor manual and calendar for important deadlines.

Hype up the Crowd

The crowd needs a reason to support you, so creating buzz before the show is critical. The size of the show makes it difficult for attendees to peruse the entire show floor, so exhibitors need to direct and pull traffic their way. How will you compete?  Give attendees a reason to put you in their busy schedule and make an imprint on the show floor. New product launches and celebrity appearances are two great ways to grab attention. Reach out to attendees by getting creative using social media, outdoor media, and guerrilla marketing tactics to effectively carry-out your pre-game strategy.

Know the Competition

With thousands of companies in a concentrated place, the SHOT Show is super-saturated with creativity and diversity. It isn’t easy to be different, but if you find a way then you can increase your ROI. Follow other companies and the SHOT Show on social media (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) to gather a good idea of what you are up against. Researching past shows, observing other exhibitors, and acting competitively will help you find the right message for your booth at the show. Prepare a follow-up plan for the post show and complete as much as you can so the work-load isn’t overwhelming afterwards.

Know Your Game Plan: Inside and Out

Now that you have gauged the competition and have a rowdy crowd that is ready to see what all the fuss is about, you will need to develop and execute your game plan to show what you are made of. Improvising is not a good approach. What is your vision of a successful SHOT Show for your business? What is your business’ goal? A strategic marketing plan is the best way to focus on your goals without veering off course at the show. Integrate the tactics listed above into your marketing strategy to give yourself a head start. It doesn’t end there, the rest is up to you.

Diedra Cauley is the director of exhibitions and conferences for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow her on Twitter at @dcauley.

5 Important Resources of SHOT Show

As the size of the SHOT Show continues to increase, it seems like more questions are asked by attendees. To ensure you and your company are ready for everything the SHOT Show can throw at you, utilizing the many SHOT Show resources is crucial.

With the steady advances in technology, the many SHOT Show resources are rarely out of reach. Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets have incredible power that can be essential to have at the show. Remember, help is literally at your fingertips!

Here are five valuable SHOT Show resources:

 

1. The Website

The SHOT Show website is a “one stop shop” for answers, because it gives you access to all of the SHOT Show resources . Exhibitors, media and other attendees can browse through commonly asked questions that appear throughout all phases of the show. From booth information to sponsorship opportunities, the SHOT Show website is a resource that you can use to find most answers.

 

2. Social Media

Whether you are in the heat of the action or preparing for the show well in advance, social media is a valuable resource for timely, important information. Social media offers a unique way to find answers and news by providing a live channel of information from everyone attending the show. Follow the SHOT Show action on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.

If you have a SHOT Show related question, tag either me (@dcauley) or @ChrisDolnack on Twitter.

 

3. Blog

The SHOT Show blog brings you the latest news and advice from the people running the show. It’s a great source for anyone interesting in learning more about the show.

 

4. The App

Are you looking for an easier way to stay on track at SHOT Show? The SHOT Show Mobile app allows you to view the SHOT Show schedules, discounts/rebates and floorplans. The app also features advanced settings that allow you to create notes, plan your agenda, request appointments and callbacks, create smartroutes and more.

 

5. SHOT Show Hotline

The SHOT Show Hotline is the most direct route to get answers about the show. The 24/7 service is available for any questions regarding travel, lodging, logistics, booth information, events and other SHOT Show inquiries.

U.S. (toll free): 855-355-7468
International: 203-270-2370

We are here for you!

Diedra Cauley is the director of exhibitions and conferences for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow her on Twitter at @dcauley.

Be Wary of SHOT Show Scammers

Over the past several weeks SHOT Show Management has received questions from exhibitors about communications (phone and email) from companies claiming to have “great deals” on hotel rooms for the upcoming 2015 SHOT Show. Here is our advice: don’t buy it!

These companies are NOT affiliated with the SHOT Show in any capacity:

  • National Travel Associates
  • Executive Events, PMG
  • Exhibitor Housing Services
  • Premier Connections
  • Global Housing Services Corp.
  • ETP Housing, Inc.
  • Room Connections, Inc.
  • Sojourn Management, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although “deals” from these soliciting companies may sound good, we urge caution when they approach.  Unofficial vendors cannot provide the same benefits and protection offered by onPeak or directly with The Venetian/Palazzo. The SHOT Show only guarantees hotel room rates or availability during the show dates for reservations made through these two sources.

Don’t let your guard down after you book your rooms. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) scam artists are making more advanced approaches at your destination, including: pretending to be the front desk staff calling for credit card information, distributing phony delivery pizza flyers in hotel rooms, and setting up phony Wi-Fi accounts to steal information. Remember to be alert before, during and after the SHOT Show to ensure a positive, successful experience.

If you have any questions or complaints about suspicious vendors, please contact the SHOT Show Hotline by calling 855-355-7468 or 203-270-2370. You can also visit the SHOT Show website for more information. Don’t be a victim!

To view or book available hotel rooms at the Venetian/Palazzo, you may do so by clicking here or calling 866-580-1198 (U.S.) / 702-414-4100 (international).

To view or book available hotel/travel deals through the onPeak, visit the onPeak website or call 800-388-8104 (U.S.)  / 312-527-7300 (international).

Diedra Cauley is the senior director of exhibitions and conferences for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow her on Twitter at @dcauley.

 

Increasing International Buyer Attendance at SHOT Show

A key aspect of the strategic plan approved the National Shooting Sport Foundation Board of Governors is to increase international buyer attendance at the SHOT Show and, in doing so, increase sales opportunities for SHOT Show exhibitors and international retailers and wholesale distributors alike. In response to this directive, the SHOT Show team has exhibited at the IWA & Outdoor Classics Show – specifically the International Weapons Exhibition (Internationale Waffenausstellung) – in Nuremburg, Germany each year since 2011.

Our attendance at this event is already paying dividends with international buyer attendance increasing each year. Our focus continues to be to educate IWA buyers on the breadth and reach of our exhibitors, in addition to offering them a chance to enjoy a first-rate U.S. city like Las Vegas. To that end, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Las Vegas Sands Corp. partnered with NSSF to increase our exhibit size and to sponsor a well-received SHOT Show hospitality suite. We are grateful to Craig Erlanger of LVCVA and Kent Stanton of LVS who were on hand to provide venue and location details to prospective international attendees.

Attending the IWA Show is one way we seek to attract more qualified international buyers to benefit exhibitors at the SHOT Show. We also had the opportunity to visit with many of our current exhibitors and supporters of the SHOT Show. Acceptance of the 2014 SHOT Show into the International Buyer Program, which offers Department of Commerce assistance in recruiting qualified buyers resulted in 23 international delegations attending the SHOT Show for the very first time.  I’m pleased to report that SHOT Show has been accepted into the International Buyer Program for 2015.

Diedra Cauley is the senior director of exhibitions and conferences for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow her on Twitter at @dcauley.

How Technology Helps Maximize the SHOT Show Experience

It’s a given that jump-starting your SHOT Show experience is essential. The My Show Planner online aid can help SHOT attendees plan their schedules in the smartest logistical way possible. This resource will help them navigate the show floor, keep track of appointments, and find new products and services, among other conveniences. You can review the entire SHOT Show layout, search for exhibitors, find specials, search for brands and much more. Then you can map out your own planned schedule and route!

One NSSF member, Scott Foster, president of Catskill Mountains Firearms, LLC says, “As a new FFL, 2012 was my first SHOT Show, and I knew it would be challenging. I used the My Show Planner several weeks before to lay out the important stops for me. The free mobile app came in handy in the mornings when I’d get to the show early, pick up SHOT Daily, and compare it to what I wanted to do for the day and make my changes.”

The response has been very positive from those who availed themselves of this service in 2012, and even more SHOT Show participants are expected to make use of it for the 2014 show. You can find a link to the My Show Planner at shotshow.org.

SHOT Mobile app coming soon: SHOT Mobile for iPhone and Android will be available soon. Learn more here.

Diedra Cauley is the Senior Director of Exhibitions and Conferences for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow her on Twitter at @dcauley.

12 Tips to Get the Most Out of the 2014 SHOT Show

Are you ready? The SHOT Show is almost here! Here’s a list of the top 12 items you can check off. Introduce yourself to the offerings by watching this brief video, first.

1. It’s your last chance to book your travel plans with onPeak, the official housing partner of the SHOT Show. Its hotel rate-guarantee deadline closes tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 11. SHOT Show provides two sources for special hotel room opportunities; one is direct with the Venetian/Palazzo, and the other is through onPeak, the official housing partner of the SHOT Show and the service provider directly linked to the SHOT Show website for all hotels besides the Venetian/Palazzo. To view or book available hotel/travel deals through onPeak, click here or call 800-388-8104. To view or book available hotel rooms at the Venetian/Palazzo, you may do so by clicking here or calling 866-580-1198.

2. Tell us if you are hosting celebrities in January. Log in to the Exhibitor Listing Dashboard and let us know about celebrity appearances or other special events you are planning at your booth. Follow the provided screenshots to inform us of celebrity appearances.

3. Register for SHOT Show University on Monday, Jan. 13. A limited amount of seats are available. Offered each year on the day before the SHOT Show opens, SHOT Show University, with a theme of Aiming for Excellence, is a day of seminars specifically tailored to the needs of those in the firearm retail business.  Check out our speaker spotlights from Chip Bell and Dan Mann.

4. Find the retail seminars you need to attend. Retailers, Patrick Shay gives you an inside look at these scheduled sessions. Stay tuned for the follow-up and get the run-down of what should be on your schedule! We are offering a dozen courses (at cost) during the SHOT Show, all designed to increase your retailing expertise, make your operations more profitable and keep our industry strong. You can view the full schedule of speakers and topics here. Seating is limited, and classes are filling up fast. Don’t miss out!

5. Reserve the ultimate dining experience. Check out our “SHOT on a Dime” restaurant guide aimed to help you find quality meals in Las Vegas for $50 or less. If you are dining on a budget, you can even choose from dining options of $25 or less. No matter your cuisine preference or desired location, you’ll find all sorts of selections.

6. Work smarter, not harder! First, download the mobile app, sponsored by ArmaLite. Then, use the My Show Planner online aid to navigate the show floor, keep track of appointments and find new products and services, among other conveniences. You can review the entire SHOT Show layout, search for exhibitors, find specials, search for brands and much more. You can even map out your own planned schedule and route!

7.  Learn about the scheduled Law Enforcement Education Seminars (LEEP). NSSF has partnered with Law Officer magazine to present a quality education program for law enforcement professionals at the 2014 SHOT Show®. These are free for our LEEP sponsors.

8. Catch up on all three segments of the SHOT Show Exhibitor Webinar series, available online in the Exhibitor Resource Center under Exhibitor Education and News.

9. Get to know this year’s pinnacle sponsor, Outdoor Channel.

10. Meet the  new management team. You can read all of the bios, here. The firearms, exhibition and event industries, as well as the Las Vegas business community, continue to respond positively to the selection of Las Vegas-based ConvExx as our new SHOT Show management company.

11. Become an NSSF member. As the owner of the industry’s largest trade show, NSSF rolls out the red carpet for its members at the SHOT Show. Members receive discounted booth space, five extra booth-priority points when exhibiting, early notification on registration and hotel accommodations, access to the NSSF Member Lounge and Member Business Center and more. NSSF is currently offering a SHOT Show special for range and retailer memberships, starting as low as $50.

12. Get social. Follow us and subscribe to get the latest SHOT Show updates. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@nssfshotshow) and join the official SHOT Show group on LinkedIn. Also, be sure utilize the #SHOTShow hashtag to ensure your social media communications are being seen by all who follow the show online. Another way to keep up-to-date is to subscribe to NSSF’s Bullet Points e-newsletter, which delivers a weekly roundup of industry happenings.

Diedra Cauley is the Senior Director of Exhibitions and Conferences for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow her on Twitter at @dcauley.

Rate-Guarantee Deadline Approaching

2014 SHOT Show® is less than six weeks away. As you are making travel plans, take advantage of special hotel-room opportunities through onPeak, the official housing partner of the SHOT Show. Its hotel rate-guarantee deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 11.

To view or book available hotel/travel deals through onPeak, click here or call 800-388-8104.

The SHOT Show provides two sources for special hotel room opportunities; one is direct with the Venetian/Palazzo, and the other is through onPeak, the official housing partner of the SHOT Show and the service provider directly linked to the SHOT Show website for all hotels besides the Venetian/Palazzo.

The Venetian/Palazzo and onPeak are the ONLY two entities authorized to contact SHOT attendees regarding hotel rooms, and the SHOT Show requires each communication to be pre-approved and branded with the official SHOT Show logo.

As a reminder, remember that you can be scammed. Click this link to find a list of unofficial vendors that are working hard to take advantage of YOU. This warning also provides you with tips for how to handle yourself if you choose to book with an unofficial vendor. We want to know if you hear from these non-official vendors. Please let me know via email at dcauley@nssf.org.

For your own protection, we ask that you exercise caution when making your hotel and travel arrangements. Unofficial vendors cannot provide the same benefits and protection offered by onPeak or directly with the Venetian/Palazzo. The SHOT Show only guarantees hotel room rates or availability during the show dates for reservations made through the two sources mentioned above.

To view or book available hotel/travel deals through onPeak click here or call 800-388-8104.

To view or book available hotel rooms at the Venetian/Palazzo you may do so by clicking here or calling 866-580-1198.

2014 SHOT Show Exhibitor Webinar Series

Get prepared for the upcoming SHOT Show by catching the Exhibitor Webinar Series. Getting ready for January entails not only knowing what you will be doing in Las Vegas, but also having an understanding of your company’s goals and how to best accomplish those goals through the tools provided to you both pre-show and on site.

Tune in tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m.- noon. EST for the second segment in the series, 25 Do’s and Don’ts To Ensure a Profitable SHOT Show. Another segment is being offered on Monday, December 9 at 1 p.m. EST. Get informed about export compliance requirements and meeting international buyers from Department of Commerce representatives in this webinar. Register today!

If you missed the first segment last week, Develop a Plan That Will Guarantee Success at the SHOT Show is available online in the Exhibitor Resource Center under Exhibitor Education and News.