Under New Management

New management company is changing SHOT Show for the better

(Original full story appears in SHOT Daily – Day 1)

Last spring, when then-current SHOT Show management company Reed Exhibitions made the surprising move to restrict certain types of firearms at its consumer hunting and fishing shows, the National Shooting Sports Foundation decided it was time to look for a new SHOT Show partner. It wasn’t an easy decision to end what had been a very successful 30-year run, but NSSF’s mission to serve the shooting sports industry took priority. After an exhaustive national search involving the trade show industry’s top management companies, NSSF announced it had found the perfect fit with ConvExx, based right here in Las Vegas.

ConvExx offers a unique combination of extensive large-show and Las Vegas experience, which will serve our exhibitors and attendees well. By taking on the SHOT Show, ConvExx will now manage two of the top five trade shows in Las Vegas. That kind of experience will serve both NSSF and ConvExx well, considering an estimated 60,000 people are expected to walk a 2014 SHOT Show floor that will cover 630,000 square feet of booth space filled by more than 1,600 exhibitors.

To further ensure that the transition to a new management team went as smoothly as possible, NSSF brought SHOT Show sales in-house by hiring a couple of SHOT Show veterans. Former Reed Exhibitions employees Dave Jeannette and Chris Tatulli have been hired as senior director of sales and director of exhibit and sponsorship sales, respectively. They will now be responsible for developing sales and sponsorship opportunities and forging strong relationships with members and industry customers.

Who’s Who: Meet ConvExx’s Regina Clark

We are just days from SHOT Show! As a reminder, we selected Las Vegas-based ConvExx as our new SHOT Show management company. For the final installment of the series of “who’s who” blog posts to familiarize you with the ConvExx team, meet Regina Clark who will be the Sales Coordinator for SHOT Show. Get to know more members of the management team, here.

Name: Regina Clark

Position/Title at ConvExx: Sales Coordinator

Family Members: Daughter- Rachel
Son- Ryan

Education: Attended college at Missouri State University Warrensburg Mo

Work history: ConvExx for 10 years prior to that I was a stay at home Mom

Hobbies/Sports: guitar, boxing, racquetball, 5k runs, anything outdoors

Favorite book: The DiVinci Code, The Help, Eat, Pray, Love, Autobiographies

Favorite movies: Star Trek series, The Avengers, The Hunger Games, Charlie Chaplin films

Hometown (where were you born): Buffalo, Mo

In Las Vegas since: 2003

Favorite Thing about Vegas: There is always something to do whether it be shows, concerts or special events.

Favorite Quote: Life is a canvas-throw all the paint you can at it. Danny Kaye

What are you most excited about for SHOT: Learning about a new industry.

Chris Dolnack is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack.

Who’s Who: Meet ConvExx’s Cassandra Stock

In case you haven’t heard the good news, Las Vegas-based ConvExx was named our new SHOT Show management company. For the next installment of the series of “who’s who” blog posts to familiarize you with the ConvExx team, meet Cassandra Stock who will be the Registration Manager for SHOT Show. Get to know more members of the management team, here.

Name: Cassandra Stock

Position/Title at ConvExx: Registration Manager

Family Members: Nicholas (husband of 4 ½ years), Asher (6 ½ month old), and two cats Paris and Sahara (yes, named after the Vegas casinos)

Education: B.S. in Advertising and Public Relations from Southern Utah University

Work history: Experient 06 – 09, ConvExx 09 – present

Hobbies/Sports: Reading, Floating in my pool, Field Hockey

Favorite book: Anything by Nora Roberts

Favorite movies: Love Actually, X-Men Movies

Hometown (where were you born): Augusta, GA but home is Frederick, MD

In Las Vegas since: Lived in Vegas after college from 04 – 05. Ended up moving back in January 2009 for a boy and a job.

Favorite Thing about Vegas: You can find anything you want to eat 24 hours a day! (Very handy when pregnant)

Favorite Quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened” – Dr. Seuss (OR “Whoever said that money can’t buy happiness, simply didn’t know where to go shopping.”) – Bo Derek

What are you most excited about for SHOT: I will be the first to admit that I do not know much about the firearm industry. I am excited for the opportunity to expand my knowledge and work with some really great people along the way. Not to mention, this has to up my cool factor in all of my guy friends eyes!

Chris Dolnack is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack.

Who’s Who: Meet ConvExx’s Sheldon Kaye

Change is good, sometimes! 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.

The news has been met with encouragement and congratulations from SHOT Show exhibitors and attendees alike.

For the next installment of the series of “who’s who” blog posts to familiarize you with the ConvExx team, meet Sheldon Kaye who will be the Systems Coordinator for SHOT Show.

Name: Sheldon Kaye

Position/Title at ConvExx: Systems Coordinator

Family Members: Wife: Tera

Education: MIS / Accounting Degree from UNLV 2010

Work history: ConvExx has been my only real job besides internships.

Hobbies/Sports: Target shooting, video games, IT consulting

Favorite book: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Favorite movies: Star Wars, The Shawshank Redemption, Fight Club, Se7en, The Prestige, The Big Lebowski

Hometown (where were you born): Albuquerque, New Mexico

In Las Vegas since: 2005

Favorite Thing about Vegas: Always something new to experience

Favorite Quote: If you can dream it, you can do it. – Walt Disney

What are you most excited about for SHOT: Helping support and grow an industry I am passionate about.

Chris Dolnack is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack.

Who’s Who: Meet ConvExx’s Jennifer Carr

We are just a couple of weeks til opening day. This year, we selected Las Vegas-based ConvExx as our new SHOT Show management company. For the next installment of the series of “who’s who” blog posts to familiarize you with the ConvExx team, meet Jennifer Carr who will be the Director of Operations for SHOT Show. Get to know more members of the management team, here.

Name: Jennifer Carr, CEM

Position/Title at ConvExx: Director of Operations

Family Members: Dog named Jasper J

Education: Eastern Illinois University

Work history: 2½ yrs in Convention & Tradeshow Department at Smith Bucklin, 11 years at ConvExx

Hobbies/Sports: Swimming, Travel, Chapter Advisor for Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority at UNLV

Favorite book: Harry Potter Series

Favorite movies: Caddyshack, Shawshank Redemption, Better Off Dead

Hometown (where were you born): Bloomington, IL

In Las Vegas since: Summer of 2002

Favorite Thing about Vegas: Weather

Favorite Quote: don’t have one I can list

What are you most excited about for SHOT: Working with the SHOT team and getting involved with the industry

Chris Dolnack is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack.

Who’s Who: Meet ConvExx’s Christine Bulmann

We’re sure you are busy getting ready for SHOT Show, but do you know who will be onsite accommodating all of your needs? This year, we selected Las Vegas-based ConvExx as our new SHOT Show management company. For the next installment of the series of “who’s who” blog posts to familiarize you with the ConvExx team, meet Christine Bulmann who will be the Account Executive for SHOT Show. Get to know more members of the management team, here.

Name: Christine Bulmann

ConvExx Title: Account Executive

Family: I have (2) grown boys, 3 grown step children and (5) grandchildren. A lot of family all over the country but no one here in Las Vegas, yet.

Education: B.S. in Management and Marketing, University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL (I graduated college the same year my younger son graduated high school)

Work History: I have worked at various times in the Trade Show/Convention industry for over 30 years. In that time period, I was also an entrepreneur and owned (3) businesses with my family.

Hobbies/Sports: White water river rafting, tennis, and had to give up playing golf but I can still drive a mean golf cart. I love movies and live music.

Favorite Book: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Favorite Movies: Titanic, The Last Samuri, The Matrix, Star Trek, Star Wars

Hometown: Born in Evanston, IL (Chicago)

In Las Vegas since: July, 2001 to open an office for a trade show exhibit company

Favorite things about Las Vegas: Not only is Las Vegas the entertainment capital of the world but it is wonderful to see friends and family that come for the Las Vegas destination. And it doesn’t snow here (usually)! A few years ago, my brother was visiting Las Vegas from Chicago in December and we had 3 inches of snow! He was snowed in here in Las Vegas for 2 days and could not get back home to Chicago. True story.

Favorite Quote: “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney

I am most excited about SHOT with the opportunity to be an integral part of one of the largest trade shows in Las Vegas. Both the exhibitors and attendees need our assistance in making these 4 days the most successful as is possible for their investment of time, effort and dollars.

Chris Dolnack is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack.

Who’s Who: Meet ConvExx’s Donna Lawson

With less than a month till SHOT Show, we wanted to brief you on this year’s VIPs. We named Las Vegas-based ConvExx as our new SHOT Show management company. For the next installment of the series of “who’s who” blog posts to familiarize you with the ConvExx team, meet Donna Lawson who will be the Show Coordinator for SHOT Show. Get to know more members of the management team, here.

Name: Donna Lawson

Position/Title at ConvExx: Show Coordinator

Family Members: Husband, Karl; Son, Turner

Education: Bachelor Degree UNLV

Work history:
2006 to Present ConvExx; 2005 – 2006 Coldwater Creek – Visual Manager; 2004 – 2005; Bass Pro Shops – Visual Merchandising Manager;
1993 – 2004 JCPenney – Visual Merchandising Coordinator;1982 – 1993 Mervyn’s – Visual Merchandising Coordinator

Hobbies/Sports: Baking, Camping, Movies

Favorite book: Kinsey Millhone Mysteries by Sue Grafton

Favorite movies: All James Bond movies, Terminator, Die Hard

Hometown (where were you born): Greensburg, PA

In Las Vegas since: 1978

Favorite Thing about Vegas: Great restaurants and shopping nearby but you can escape the city within an hour to the lake, mountains or the desert.

Favorite Quote: “I bake, therefore I am”

What are you most excited about for SHOT: Doing my best to make the Show Management transition smooth for the foundation, exhibitors, and attendees.

Chris Dolnack is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack.

Who’s Who: Meet ConvExx’s Mike Clark

Believe it or not, the 2014 SHOT Show is only a month away. As the entire industry prepares, enthusiasm is already building, especially for our new management company, Las Vegas-based ConvExx. For the next installment of the series of “who’s who” blog posts to familiarize you with the ConvExx team, meet Mark Clark who will be the Vice President, Operations for SHOT Show. Get to know more members of the management team, here.

Name: Mike Clark, CEM

Position/Title at ConvExx: Vice President, Operations

Family Members: Wife, Theresa. Children, Allison (11), Sean (9), and Kayla (5)

Education: California State University Northridge (BS)

Work history:
1999-2005: IT Project Manager at Work/Life Benefits (an Accor company)
2005-Present: ConvExx. Started out as IT Manager. Then moved to Director of Operations and VP, Operations

Hobbies/Sports: Golf, Fantasy Football, BBQing. Enjoy spending time with family, especially in back yard

Favorite book: Golf My Way, Jack Nicklaus

Favorite movies: Blazing Saddles, Caddie Shack, Blues Brothers, Back to the Future

Hometown (where were you born): Waterloo, IA. Moved to Saugus, CA when I was 14.

In Las Vegas since: 2005

Favorite Thing about Vegas: Running Rebels

Favorite Quote: “Have the humility to prepare, and the confidence to bring it off.” Vin Scully, who crediting Lord Laurence Olivier with the quote.

What are you most excited about for SHOT: Everyone that I have met so far, from NSSF to Freeman, the Sands, the Venetian, etc.. Could not have enough good things to say about the Show, the exhibitors and the attendees. There seems to be a very positive vibe about this Show and I can’t wait to be part of it. And I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Chris Dolnack is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack.

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.

Who’s Who in SHOT Show Management: Meet ConvExx’s Mindi Cherry

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.

The news has been met with encouragement and congratulations from SHOT Show exhibitors and attendees alike.

For the next installment of the series of “who’s who” blog posts to familiarize you with the ConvExx team, we introduce you to Mindi Cherry, who is the Vice President at ConvExx.

Name: Mindi Cherry

Position/Title at ConvExx: Vice President

Family Members: Husband – Mark, Son – Jacob (6 ½ years old)

Education: B.A. in History from UCLA

Work history: Hotel Convention Services – 4 Years, Convention Housing Company – 4 Years, ConvExx – 13 Years

Hobbies/Sports: Love to watch NFL, NASCAR and College Basketball; Hobbies are playing with my son and scrapbooking

Favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite movies: Chick Flicks

Hometown (where were you born): San Diego

In Las Vegas since: 1996

Favorite Thing about Vegas: I love live music so I love that in Vegas there is always live music all over town and every artist visits Vegas on their tour.

Favorite Quote: “There’s no crying in baseball!” – Tom Hanks in A League of their Own

What are you most excited about for SHOT: Learning about an industry that is new to me

Chris Dolnack is senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDolnack