Category: Press

SHOT Show Thrives in Las Vegas

With firearms and ammunition sales having surged last year in a struggling economy, there were many positive signs this week at the industry’s annual trade show — the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show — that indicated sales will remain robust in 2010.

The show’s return to Las Vegas sparked a rise in attendance over the previous year, with buyers packing exhibit booths to review products and then placing orders on the latest shooting, hunting and outdoor gear.

Overall attendance was 58,444, only several hundred shy of the show’s all-time record set at the 2008 Las Vegas Show and more than 11,000 above last year’s show in Orlando. The show attracted an all-time high of 31,280 buyers, and the 1,804 media professionals attending established a new record.

The SHOT Show filled the Sands Expo & Convention Center for four days, January 19-22, reaffirming its stature as the world's premier exposition of firearms, ammunition, outdoor and tactical apparel, optics, cutlery, camping and related products and services. The show is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry’s trade association.

From the opening to closing bells, the mood was upbeat. Retailers like Glenn Duncan, owner of Duncan’s Outdoor Shop in Bay City, Mich., said he values the SHOT Show for the opportunity it affords to learn about exciting new products. “It’s good to see the industry offering so many new products — guns, ammunition, targets and more — and I really appreciated that the exhibitors were willing to take the time to give me the attention I needed.” Among the products Duncan found interesting were new models of firearms introduced by Taurus International and Smith & Wesson, and Winchester’s 410 ammo.

Manufacturers like Dwight Van Brunt of Kimber were equally pleased. "This is an amazing show,” said Van Brunt. “We came in with some trepidation, wondering if it was going to be busy the whole time. We were slammed 45 minutes into the show. You couldn't see the color of my carpet, and it stayed that way for the first two days. This show is great."

Scott Hanes of Remington Arms said, "There's a lot of excitement, and people are very positive. I was a little surprised that there would be this big of a positive attitude at this time of year because last year was so big. You figure you're going to have a little bit of a downfall later on. I'm not seeing it." 

Mike Slack of optics company Leupold & Stevens said, "This booth has been absolutely flooded with people. I can't remember a busier SHOT Show ever." He added, "How could you not come to the SHOT Show? If you're a dealer, this is the place to be. You just can't miss it.”

Professional shooter Doug Koenig, who was representing Smith & Wesson, said, "It's been packed, every day, non-stop, all day. And the buzz has been really good. I think it's going to be another great year for Smith & Wesson."

Greg Sesselmann of Scent-Lok said, “This is where we get to communicate with each other. People are generating business, coming up with new ideas. There's that synergy of working together on these things that you just can't do over the phone."

Exhibiting companies numbered 1,633 — about 125 of them international — covering 700,000 net square feet in the convention center’s halls and the Venetian Hotel’s meeting rooms.

The show got off to a grand start at NSSF’s opening-night State of the Industry Dinner, where NSSF President Steve Sanetti welcomed more than 1,500 industry professionals, saying, “With sales and revenues in much of our industry at a decade-long high despite the worst recession in a generation, we have thrived. I have to say that the state of the industry in 2010 is about as strong as I've seen it. We have millions of new firearms owners that have joined our ranks since we last met in Orlando — a testament to the popularity of firearms ownership in America and proof that hunting and target shooting remain popular activities among all ages."

Comedian Dennis Miller provided the evening’s entertainment. Many celebrities were on hand at the show, including actor Seven Seagal, who is launching a new line of tactical gear. "My impression of the SHOT Show is it's amazing,” said Seagal. “It's probably the greatest gathering of special technology for police and military I've ever seen in one place. It's extremely impressive."

In addition to the sale of hunting and shooting gear, the SHOT Show is known for its many educational seminars for firearms retailers. The pre-show SHOT Show University seminars were completely full and featured presentations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and marketing experts. For the first time, the show provided seminars for law enforcement professionals, sponsored by NSSF and Law Officer Magazine, which complemented the show’s law enforcement product section.

The record turnout of members of the outdoor media was notable since the press publicizes the show’s many products to their hunting and shooting readers and viewers.

J. Wayne Fears, outdoor writer, said, “I've been coming to every SHOT Show since the first one in 1979. It's extremely valuable in that I get an opportunity in one place to meet all of the people who produce the products that I write about.”

At the State of the Industry Dinner, veteran journalist Dave Petzal of Field & Stream received the Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award presented by the Professional Outdoor Media Association.

NSSF took the opportunity at a press conference to correct confusion about one of the industry’s most misunderstood products, the AR-style modern sporting rifle. NSSF reinforced that modern sporting rifles are semi-automatic, firing one round with each pull of the trigger, that they are widely used for target shooting and hunting, and that they should not be confused with similar looking military rifles.

Prior to the show, NSSF presented Clark County officials with an award of appreciation for realizing a 25-year effort to open the world-class Clark County Shooting Park. NSSF also recognized the important role Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and the rest of the state’s congressional delegation played in securing the federal assistance necessary to make the park a reality.

Next year’s SHOT Show is slated for January 18-21, 2011, at the Sands Expo & Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Veteran journalist Dave Petzal receives Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award

Dave Petzal started his communications career in 1964 as a magazine editor. In 1972, he became managing editor of Field & Stream magazine, and since has held six different titles on the masthead.

Petzal was the recipient of this year’s Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award, presented at the SHOT Show by the Professional Outdoor Media Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

In honor of legendary outdoor communicator Grits Gresham, POMA and NSSF developed the award in 2005 to recognize communicators within the firearms/shooting sports/Second Amendment arena who grasp the ideals, foster the commitment, and display the talent Gresham showed during his storied career. Tom Gresham presented the award.

“I had the privilege of knowing Grits for a long time, and hunting with him,” Petzal said. “There was no nicer guy or finer sportsman. Being given an award bearing his name is probably more than I deserve, but I'll accept it anyway.”

Petzal, of Bedford, N.Y., retired in 2008 but still handles the rifles department for Field & Stream and is, along with Phil Bourjaily, a co-contributor to the Field & Stream blog, the Gun Nut. Petzal authored six books, and looks forward to, “not doing any more, ever.” For recreation, Petzal says he shoots trap and fly fishes — badly.

Nominations for the Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award come from all corners of the shooting sports industry. Nominees are not required to be affiliated with a communications or industry organization.

Shooting sports industry professionals are encouraged to make nominations for the award through the POMA Web site: www.professionaloutdoormedia.org.

SHOT Show 2010: Back in Las Vegas and open for business!

The 2010 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show is under way!

By popular demand, the SHOT Show has returned to Las Vegas this year, and the atmosphere at the 32nd edition of the show is electric.

“Our post-SHOT Show surveys told us that, by a more than 80 percent majority, this is where you want our annual must-see event to be,” said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

This year, buyers from 50 states and 75 countries have flocked to Las Vegas to take advantage of industry’s largest and most comprehensive trade show. The 2010 show encompasses 700,000 square feet of exhibit space with 1,800 exhibitors.

“We’re excited to be at the Sands Convention Center this year,” said Dennis MacDonald, senior vice president of Reed Exhibitions, which runs the show for NSSF. “Our pre-registration and exhibit sales numbers confirm that Las Vegas is a city our attendees and exhibitors enjoy as a venue in which to conduct business.”

Sanetti notes that the woeful economy was a constant challenge throughout 2009, “but in a time of severe economic setbacks, our industry has weathered the storm pretty well, and here — and only here — you will see all the important companies, key players, major distributors and retailers as well as the largest concentration of outdoor media anywhere in the world.”

Just as important, NSSF remains committed to improving the SHOT Show experience for all attendees. “Please feel free to stop by the SHOT Show booth (L221) in the Level 2 lobby and let us know your comments, both what we did right and what could use some more work,” Sanetti said. “We are committed to constantly improving the SHOT Show experience, and we are genuinely interested in your feedback and suggestions to make it even better.”

Opening day will conclude tonight with the annual State of the Industry Dinner, where attendees will get a chance to look back at the successes of 2009 and look ahead at the coming year. Attendees will also be entertained by the comedy of Dennis Miller.

SHOT Show facts and figures

  • The "SHOT" in SHOT Show stands for Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade.

  • The 2010 SHOT Show runs Tuesday, January 19, through Friday, January 22, at the Sands Exposition and Conference Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • SHOT Show hours

  • The 2010 SHOT Show is the 32nd; the first was in 1979 in St. Louis.

  • The 2010 SHOT Show will have 1,800 exhibitors.

  • More than 60,000 professionals in the shooting, hunting and outdoors industry are expected to attend. The show is for trade only and is not open to the general public.

  • Attendees come from all 50 states and 75 countries.

  • The Law Enforcement section remains the fastest growing segment of the SHOT Show. To illustrate this growth, when the law enforcement section was started booth space covered 7,000 square feet; today, Law Enforcement covers more than 195,000 square feet of the show.

  • Total exhibit space for the 2010 show is expected to be approximately 700,000 net square feet.

  • The SHOT Show is the once-a-year gathering place for the shooting, hunting and outdoors industry — manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, publishers and wildlife conservation organizations. It's where a passion for firearms, ammunition and outdoors equipment, plus the industry's unified support of the Second Amendment, are on display.

  • The SHOT Show generates millions of the dollars in revenue that funds NSSF programs and services that help "promote, protect and preserve" hunting and the shooting sports — all the shooting sports. A top priority of NSSF is to develop new hunters and shooters and to reactivate former hunters and shooters. NSSF also promotes firearm safety through programs such as Project ChildSafe and works to prevent illegal firearms purchases through Don't Lie for the Other Guy.

  • Approximately 1,400 members of the outdoor media, including a significant contingent of international media, promote the products they see at SHOT in their articles in magazines, newspapers and electronic media, and on TV and radio. Media attending the SHOT Show constitute the largest gathering of outdoor media in the world.

    • Pre-show press release on the SHOT Show

    Latest Hunting, Shooting and Outdoor Gear 
    To Be Unveiled at the SHOT Show

    LAS VEGAS — The latest gear for hunters, shooters and outdoor enthusiasts begins its journey from manufacturer to marketplace at the SHOT Show®, which will draw nearly 60,000 industry professionals to do business over four days.

    The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show opens on Tuesday, January 19, at the Sands Exposition and Conference Center and runs through Friday, January 22. Approximately 1,800 exhibitors will show their products in booths covering 700,000 net square feet — the largest showcase in the world of firearms and ammunition, law enforcement equipment, outdoor apparel, cutlery, optics, shooting and hunting accessories and related outdoor products and services.

    SHOT ranks annually among the fastest growing trade shows and is the 22nd largest trade show in North America.

    The SHOT Show is the one place every year where manufacturers, distributors and retailers of firearms and sporting accessories gather to conduct business, exchange ideas, renew contacts and reaffirm the unity that has been the hallmark of the shooting sports industry in these challenging times.

    Why do industry professionals attend the SHOT Show?

    • Retailers attend because they can see and handle the latest products and talk to sales representatives face to face. “The Show is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for retailers to gain a hands-on education about the products they will be discussing with their sportsmen customers across the nation over the coming year,” said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which owns the show.

    • Manufacturers and distributors attend to showcase a broad range of their products in categories including firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, tactical, reloading, custom manufacturing, scopes and sights, gun locks, gun cases and cabinets, binoculars and rangefinders, shooting range equipment, targets, training and safety equipment, archery, hunting accessories, hearing and eye protection, treestands, scents and lures, cutlery and sharpeners, holsters, apparel, leather goods, game calls, decoys, and much more.

    • Outdoor media turns out in force — approximately 1,400 are expected — to cover the introduction of products and to report on stories associated with the firearms and outdoor industry. “Traditional and new media provide positive, widespread exposure to this $4 billion industry and its remarkable products,” said Bill Brassard Jr., NSSF’s director of communications.

    With practically all segments of industry in attendance, the SHOT Show provides a perfect setting for organizational and educational meetings. On the day before the show opens, retailers take advantage of SHOT Show University to learn from experts about new marketing strategies, e-commerce, store financials and compliance with federal regulations. Additional seminars for retailers run during the show and feature presenters from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

    New this year are seminars for law enforcement personnel attending the show.

    The 2010 SHOT Show returns to Las Vegas after a successful show in Orlando in 2009. SHOT also will be located in Las Vegas in 2011 and 2012.

    Industry professionals who cannot attend the show but want to keep track of all that is happening at SHOT can do so atwww.nssf.org and www.shotshow.org.

    Press Conference Schedule at SHOT Show

    The SHOT Show's official press conference room (Venetian Level 2 Bassano number 2601-2605) has been totally booked for the show.

    Of course, many press functions have been planned for other rooms, and even venues other than the Sands Expo and Convention Center, but here's what members of the media can look forward to attending in the official press conference room:

     

    Tuesday
    1/19/10

    Wednesday
    1/20/10

    Thursday
    1/21/10

    Friday
    1/22/10

    8:30am
    to
    9:30am

    Russell Outdoors

    CCW Breakaways

    The Women's Outdoor Media Association

    InterMedia Outdoors / Sportsman Channel

    10:00am
    to
    11:00am

    Sportsmen's Outdoor Strategies TV

    NSSF AR/Modern Sporting Rifle Education Campaign

    General Dynamics

    Stone River Gear

    11:30am
    to
    12:30pm

    McMillan Fiberglass Stock

    Second Amendment Foundation

    ROKstraps

    SHOT Show
    Staff

    1:00pm
    to
    2:00pm

    SOG Specialty Knives & Tools

    POMA

    4Sevens

    SHOT Show
    Staff

    2:30pm
    to
    3:30pm

    Aimpoint, Inc

    QDMA's Whitetail Report 2010 presented by Remington

    South Dakota Governor's Office

    SHOT Show
    Staff

    4:00
    to
    5:00pm

    Thunderbolt Customs Inc

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    Cold Wind, LLC

    show closed

    Map Your Show: Online App a Handy Way to Plan Your SHOT Show Schedule

    Did you know you can "MapYourShow" right from the comfort of your computer?

    Map Your Show

    At shotshow.org, the 2010 Floor Plan Navigator allows you to review the entire SHOT Show layout, search the entire list of exhibitors, search their products and get a facility overview. Then you can map out your own planned schedule and route with the My Show Planner feature.

    Here's a round-up of the application's features, and how to best utilize them:

    Search the Show

    Using the search types provided, you can pinpoint exactly who you want to see at the show. To see all search options, roll over the "Search the Show" tab at the top left corner of the page and select the option that best fits your needs.

    • Search by Featured Exhibitors: View the Featured Exhibitors to see detailed product displays, descriptions and/or live flash or video presentations.
    • Search by Exhibitor: An alphabetical search by exhibitor name. Type a portion of the name or search using the on-screen keyboard by first letter of exhibitor name
    • Search by Product: Use our extensive product category search to discover all of the companies who offer the products you're interested in.

    On the bottom left of the floor plan, use the zoom tool at any point to enlarge the floor plan. When scrolling over booths on the floor plan, the exhibitor name and booth number will appear. Clicking on the actual booth displays additional exhibitor information.
     
    Build your Personal My Show Agenda

    The My Show Agenda Planner is the best way to get organized for the show. Start researching which exhibitors you need to see, and save yourself and your feet many steps in the process. Click on the 'My Show Planner' icon to learn about the features within the Agenda Planner. The sign up form will appear at the top of the screen; click on 'Create New Account' to get started.

    To build your agenda, use the search options at the top left to find the companies in which you're interested. Select the exhibitor's name to view more details about the company on the floor plan and add directly to your agenda by selecting the "add to MyShow Planner" button. Exhibitors can also be added directly from within the list of search results by checking the corresponding box next to the exhibitor name.

    Optionally, you can quickly create your list by selecting 'Profile Wizard' from the My Show page; and stepping through the Wizard. This option allows you to select a category and simply add all of the companies who are exhibiting this product.

    When your agenda is ready, click print and have a handy list of the exhibitors you added to your agenda. All exhibitors in your agenda will be highlighted on the floor plan printout to save you time at the show.

    First Glimpse at New Products Comes at Pre-Show Media Events

    Each year, manufacturers give the press a chance to test out their new products on the day before the SHOT Show.
     
    At least three media-only events are being planned by SHOT Show exhibitors and their representatives at Las Vegas area shooting facilities on Jan. 18.

    The events are exclusively for invited guests. However, working members of the press who have not received an invitation but are interested in attending may contact the event coordinator. Similarly, at the Media Day at the Range event, presented by Bass Pro Shops, SHOT Show exhibitors interested in participating may contact that program's coordinators.

    Here is a profile of three such events, and we'll keep you posted if we learn of more:

    Bass Pro presents Media Day at the Range

    Jan. 18, 2010, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    Boulder City Pistol & Rifle Club
    Cathy Williams, cathy@cmgmarketingandevents.com, telephone 703-587-7142;
    and Cory Cannon, ccannon@triplecurl.com, telephone 810-644-4773, coordinators

    Participating are more than 40 companies; visit www.media-day.com to see complete list Other industry members can participate. Contact one of the coordinators.

    Open to invited media only; interested members of the working press can request an invitation by contacting an event coordinator.

    Buses will be provided at 8 a.m. from various locations in downtown Las Vegas (actual pick-up areas to be decided). A bus will depart from the 2010 New Product Event at noon to Media Day at the Range. A complimentary light continental breakfast will be offered, and a full lunch and refreshments will be available throughout the day.

    2010 New Product Event

    Jan. 18, 2010, 9 a.m. – Noon
    Desert Sportsman's Rifle & Pistol Club
    Kevin Howard, coordinator, khoward@howardcommunications.com, telephone 573-898-3422

    Participating are Browning, Winchester Repeating Arms, Bushnell, Winchester Ammunition, Mossy Oak, Browning Footwear, LaCrosse/Danner Boots, Taurus, Polaris, Birchwood Casey and Crimson Trace. Not open to participation by other members of the industry.

    Open to invited media only: interested members of the working press may request an invitation by contacting the event coordinator.

    Buses depart from the Mirage North Valet Entrance at 7:30 am Transportation will be available from this event to other media events Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

    2010 Smith & Wesson Shoot Out

    Jan. 18, 2010, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
    American Shooters
    Tonya Giudice, info@blueheroncomm.com, telephone 800-654-3766, coordinator

    Participating are Smith & Wesson, Thompson Center, Walther, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Coleman, Dallas Safari Club and Trijicon. Not open to participation by other members of the industry.

    Open to invited media only; interested members of the working (editorial) press may request an invitation by contacting the event coordinator.

    A bus from the 2010 New Product Event at the Desert Sportsman's Rifle & Pistol Club will depart from there at noon; a bus from the Sands will depart at 12:15 p.m.

    Snacks will be provided.

    Note: All of these events are being planned independent of the SHOT Show and are not official SHOT Show events.