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.
Let the record show that the 2014 SHOT Show was the most successful in its 36-year history. And with an extended contract that it be housed at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, the SHOT Show’s future promises continued success and satisfaction. The 2014 SHOT Show was another one for the record books—record attendance, record sales, and record industry unity. The show also registered record satisfaction with attendees and exhibitors alike, with 75 percent of exhibitors completely or very satisfied, and 96 percent of exhibitors extremely or very likely to exhibit in 2015, according to our post–SHOT Show survey. Exhibitor satisfaction is confirmed by the record 96 percent of exhibit space renewals put under deposit onsite, and the 98 percent renewal rate we have reached within a month of the show’s conclusion.
Ditto for attendees, with 82 percent completely or very satisfied and 86 percent extremely or very likely to attend the 2015 SHOT Show. Total attendance increased 8 percent, to more than 67,000, in a year where we re-qualified attendees in the redbadge- buyer category, requiring documentation to verify purchasing authority.
All in all, the 2014 SHOT Show was a testament to the passion and enthusiasm that retailers, exhibitors, and industry associates share for our industry and the SHOT Show. It’s rewarding to know that all of our time and effort paid off, and you can rest assured that we’re working on making the 2015 SHOT Show even better.
The 2014 SHOT Show was very fortunate to have so many dedicated sponsors contribute to this record-setting year. For many of our sponsors, this is not the first time they have stepped up. Outdoor Channel marked its fourth consecutive year as the show’s Pinnacle Sponsor, the highest sponsorship level associated with the show.
Outdoor Channel’s unprecedented support of the 2014 SHOT Show demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to the outdoors industry and all that the industry’s premier trade show stands for.
Daniel Defense returned this year with some creative elements, including Venetian and Palazzo room key cards and pub-style tables near food vendors to facilitate quick meals and short meetings—not to mention the Daniel Defense–branded staircase in the main entry area to the Sands Expo.
Thanks, too, to Caracal for providing the shuttle service between the neighboring hotels and the show, saving many the time and money associated with taxi lines. GunBroker.com continued to be an extraordinary partner of the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the SHOT Show, sponsoring the NSSF Member Lounge and Business Center.
GunBroker .com is a great example of an NSSF member that makes the extra effort to help grow hunting and the shooting sports.
Also returning was ArmaLite as the title sponsor of the SHOT Show mobile app. This show-navigation technology enriches the SHOT Show experience for buyers and attendees, and we greatly appreciate ArmaLite’s support in this effort.
Ram Trucks returned as the official truck of SHOT Show for the third year running.
Smith & Wesson provided generous support as the Platinum Level Education Sponsor for the industry’s largest professional development opportunity for firearms retailers—SHOT Show University.
NSSF, owner and sponsor of the SHOT Show, extends its sincere thanks to all of our sponsors that contribute to its enduring success. We anticipate continued industry support in 2015.
With the Sands being an ever-improving venue, NSSF has contracted to stage the show there through 2018, adding another year to its agreement. The Sands recently completed a $37 million renovation that significantly upgraded its facilities, including redesigning and remodeling the lobby and adding escalators, new carpeting, Wi-Fi hotspots, food outlets, digital signage, and other amenities that have enhanced the trade-show experience for exhibitors and attendees. The 2014 SHOT Show is the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas and the largest trade show of its kind in the world.
The show generates more than $73 million for the Las Vegas economy, and, more relevant to NSSF and its members, the SHOT Show provides your industry’s trade association with 80 percent of the revenue it directs during the year to promote, protect, and preserve that very industry.
Next year’s show will be held Jan. 20–23. See you there.
Chris Dolnack is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack.
The 2014 SHOT Show was very fortunate to have so many dedicated sponsors contribute to this record-setting year. For many of our sponsors, this is not the first time they have stepped up.
Outdoor Channel marked its fourth consecutive year as the show’s Pinnacle Sponsor, the highest sponsorship level associated with the show. Outdoor Channel’s unprecedented support of the 2014 SHOT Show demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to the outdoor industry and all that the industry’s premier trade show stands for.
Daniel Defense returned this year with some creative elements including Venetian and Palazzo room key cards and pub-style tables near food vendors to facilitate quick meals and short meetings — not to mention the Daniel Defense-branded staircase in the main entry area to the Sands Expo.
Thanks, too, to Caracal for providing the shuttle service between the neighboring hotels and the show, saving many the time and money associated with taxi lines.
GunBroker.com continued to be an extraordinary partner of NSSF and the SHOT Show, sponsoring the NSSF Member Lounge and Business Center. GunBroker.com is a great example of an NSSF member that makes the extra effort to help grow hunting and the shooting sports.
Also returning was ArmaLite as the title sponsor of the SHOT Show mobile app. This show-navigation technology enriches the SHOT Show experience for buyers and attendees and we greatly appreciate ArmaLite’s support in this effort.
Ram Trucks returned as the official truck of SHOT Show for the third year running.
Smith & Wesson provided generous support as the Platinum Level Education Sponsor for the industry’s largest professional development opportunity for firearms retailers — SHOT Show University.
Sincere thanks to all of our sponsors that contribute to all of the elements that ensure the continued success of the SHOT Show, your industry’s premier trade show.
Chris Dolnack is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack.
Attracting industry professionals from the United States and more than 100 other countries, the SHOT Show shattered attendance records this week, giving industry professionals good reason to believe that 2014 will be another strong year for sales of firearms, ammunition, outdoor gear and law enforcement equipment.
The 36th SHOT Show ran Jan. 14 to 17 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center. Attendance figures eclipsed last year’s total by the second day of the show and finished at more than 67,000, an increase of 5,000. “I think that really speaks to the quality of the event and the enthusiasm and passion of our industry to provide quality products for hunting, target shooting and personal and home defense,” said Chris Dolnack, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
NSSF, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, owns and manages the SHOT Show.
The $6 billion industry has enjoyed robust sales the last several years, fueled in part by newcomers to the shooting sports who, according to an NSSF First-time Gun Buyers Report, are younger, more female and more urban based. Newcomers have identified target shooting and personal and home protection as the top reasons for purchasing their first firearm.
During the show, NSSF issued a first-of-its-kind report that confirmed the importance of the shooting sports to the U.S. economy. “Target Shooting in America: Millions of Shooters, Billions of Dollars” revealed that the money target shooters spent in 2011 resulted in $23 billion being added to the nation’s economy and supported more than 185,000 jobs nationally.
Combined data from Target Shooting in America and Hunting in America, a report released last year, shows that spending by target shooters and hunters had a total impact of more than $110 billion on the nation’s economy in 2011, supporting more than 866,000 jobs.
“Communities and businesses of all sizes benefit from these activities,” said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. “Our industry is proud to be an economic driver that has helped workers keep their jobs and support their families even during the most difficult economic times.”
Displays by more than 1,600 exhibiting companies filled the convention center and also rooms in the adjoining Venetian. Total show exhibition space was 635,000 net square feet, or 13 acres of product display.
Manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, optics, cutlery, apparel, accessories and law enforcement equipment introduced new products and services that retailers will offer consumers during the course of the year.
The past year was a challenging one for industry, which battled state and federal legislative efforts to restrict ownership of certain types of firearms. In addressing 2,000 industry leaders at the State of the Industry Dinner, Sanetti declared, “The State of our industry is renewed. More persons are entering the recreational shooting sports than ever before. More hunters, more target shooters, more women, more diverse groups, more licensed gun owners and, as you all know, more firearms sales.
“Perhaps the best news of all is that, despite tremendous increases in these numbers, violent crime with firearms has decreased dramatically during the last five years, to early 1960s levels.”
Sanetti also pointed out that firearms accidents account for less than one percent of all fatal accidents in the country, according to the National Safety Council.
Safety was on display at the SHOT Show, with many companies showcasing the latest gun safes, cases and lockboxes. Also, NSSF’s national firearm safety education program, Project ChildSafe and its “Own It? Respect It. Secure It.” campaign, was highly visible at the show.
Outdoor Channel was once again the show’s Pinnacle-level sponsor.
Some of the country’s most well-known radio personalities, including Mike Gallagher and Lars Larson, broadcasted live from the show’s new “Radio Row.”
Among the many awards bestowed during the show was the NSSF Ken Sedlecky Achievement Award presented to Bob Morrison, longtime industry executive and former president and CEO of Taurus. SHOT Business magazine presented NSSF’s Sanetti with the Bonnier Outdoor Group Special Achievement Award in recognition of his industry leadership during the past year.
For the third time, NSSF hosted a charity golf event at the SHOT Show in partnership with the PGA Tour for Birdies for the Brave. The event at TPC Summerlin raised more than $100,000 for military homefront groups.
The SHOT Show is not just about selling and buying products. The show provides educational opportunities for firearms retailers at SHOT Show University and other seminars, and for law enforcement professionals at the Law Enforcement Education Program.
This was the first SHOT Show under its new management company, ConvExx.
The SHOT Show, which pumps more than $73 million into the Las Vegas economy, is committed to the Sands Expo & Convention Center through 2017. Next year’s SHOT Show is scheduled for Jan. 20-23, 2015.
NSSF is proud to announce that the SHOT Show Birdies for the Brave golf outing at TPC Summerlin raised more than $100,000 for military homefront groups.
This was the third straight year that NSSF hosted the charity golf event at the SHOT Show in partnership with the PGA Tour for Birdies for the Brave. This is the second year in a row the event raised more than $100,000 for the eight charities supported by Birdies for the Brave. It’s a great opportunity for our industry to provide even more support for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
Birdies for the Brave is a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA Tour. It was founded by PGA Tour pro Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy.
“Thank you to the PGA Tour, to Birdies for the Brave and for your leadership and unwavering support of the United States Military,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Joe Maguire, President and CEO of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, an organization that recently paid the tuitions of 19 sons and daughters of brave soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation believes that no child should be provided with less opportunity because of their parents’ brave sacrifice to our nation.
NSSF is a proud supporter of this event and thanks all the event sponsors and everyone who came out to the course to show their support for these organizations.
Three auctions for special-edition items are underway, with all proceeds benefiting programs to further America’s hunting and shooting sports heritage. Bidding will close at 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 17, the final day of the 2014 SHOT Show.
Henry Repeating Arms recently announced that they have begun production of the Original Henry Rifle for the first time in 150 years – and this rifle was selected to receive very special treatment in honor of the rifle’s designer, Benjamin Tyler Henry, as the 2014 SHOT Show Rifle. The SHOT Show Henry Tribute rifle will feature serial number BTHENRY0001.
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.
