Generous Industry Sponsor Support Key to Successful 2015 SHOT Show

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The success of the 2015 SHOT Show was due in great part to the many dedicated industry sponsors that contributed generously in support of the firearm industry’s largest trade show. For many of our sponsors, this was not the first time they have stepped up to the plate.

Outdoor Channel made a remarkable fifth consecutive appearance as one of the show’s top sponsors, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the industry, as did Ram Trucks, returning for the third straight year as another top sponsor, its hunt-worthy vehicles on display garnering tremendous attention from the show’s 62,000 attendees.

Daniel Defense came back with strong support for the third year in a row. Not only did everyone staying in the Palazzo and Venetian have a room key sponsored by Daniel Defense, the company was the sole sponsor of the SHOT Show Mobile app and contributed to many other aspects of the show.

GunBroker.com continued to be an extraordinary partner of NSSF and the SHOT Show, again sponsoring the NSSF Member Lounge and Business Center. Nissan also returned, sponsoring the 2015 SHOT Show Press Room for the second year in the row. Both are great examples of companies making the extra effort to help our industry thrive.

Other important sponsors returning to support the 2015 SHOT Show included Brownell’s, Gamo Outdoor USA, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Mossy Oak, Trijicon, Smith & Wesson and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, among others, and NSSF offers many thanks to each and every one of them. Their support is invaluable to ensuring the continued success of the SHOT Show and NSSF’s mission of promoting, protecting and preserving hunting and the shooting sports.

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

2015 SHOT Show University, Retail Seminars Set Record Attendance

SSU1The 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.”

 

2015 SHOT Show Posts Second Highest Attendance Total Ever

The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) rang up its second highest attendance ever at the Sands Expo Center Jan. 20-23, giving the industry a very good indicator that a strong sales year lies ahead.

Long a bellwether for the industry’s prospects, the SHOT Show brings together buyers and sellers from the United States and more than 100 countries. Total attendance for the 2015 SHOT Show was nearly 64,000, second only to last year’s record-setting event, where nearly 67,000 came through the turnstiles. Lower attendance reflected strengthened pre-screening of attendees to enhance the overall experience of both exhibitors and buyers.

“We know from long experience that attendance at the SHOT Show is a reflection of the state of our industry,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “This second highest attendance is in keeping with what we saw in the past year — that our industry is in good health and that manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers have a positive outlook for this year.”

NSSF®, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, owns and sponsors the SHOT Show.

From the opening bell, the show floor hummed with traffic. Cindy Daniel, Executive Vice President of Daniel Defense, a major sponsor of the SHOT Show, said, “It’s been a very busy show. We’re optimistic that with the good vibe we’re seeing on the floor sales will pick up again and we’ll have a solid year.”

Said Kort Nielson with Silencer Co., “We’ve been pretty busy, and there hasn’t been much down time. Increasing our booth size and design and its new position in this hall has been good for traffic, but we’re also focusing on education.” Silencer Co. put on two seminars this week for retailers on how to educate customers about suppressors, a fast growing sales area.

The $8 billion industry has seen rapid growth in the last several years, powered by newcomers to the shooting sports. More than 20 percent of firearms owners are in this category, in that they have purchased their first firearm within the last five years.

Women continue to be an undeniable market force. During the show at a packed press conference, NSSF released a new report on “Women Gun Owners: Purchasing, Perceptions and Participation.” Women, whose participation in target shooting and hunting as well as interest in owning a firearm for personal and home protection continues to grow rapidly, now purchase about 25 percent of industry products. “This report will help NSSF members better understand the products and features women want and to continue to serve women of all skill levels,” said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF Director of Industry Research and Analysis.

More than 1,600 exhibiting companies filled the convention center and rooms in the adjoining Venetian Hotel. Total show exhibition space was more than 640,000 net square feet, or 13 acres of product display, with more than 150 new companies exhibiting.

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.

On the first evening of the show, more than 2,400 people attended NSSF’s State of the Industry Dinner, where Steve Sanetti, NSSF President and CEO, delivered a well-received speech on the industry’s determination to counter its detractors with facts on firearm safety and deter efforts to burden law-abiding gun owners with unnecessary legislation. “Much of the public and the media are woefully misinformed about who we are and all that we do about genuine gun safety,” said Sanetti, who pointed out to such notable NSSF programs as Project ChildSafe, Fix NICS and Don’t Like for the Other Guy programs.

“Some pundits state that the shooting sports are ‘in retreat,’” said Sanetti. “Well, look at the facts. Last year’s SHOT Show, one of the fastest growing trade shows in the nation, had its highest attendance and satisfaction levels ever; the number of federally licensed firearms dealers is growing; firearm sales experienced the second highest year ever and ammunition sales continue at near record levels; firearms permit and safety classes report long waiting lists; and the number of apprentice hunting licenses increased to well over 1 million. If this is a ‘retreat,’ as those who see no appeal in what we do have alleged, I truly wonder what an advance would look like.”

At the dinner, Richard Lipsey, owner of Lipsey’s, one of the nation’s largest sporting goods distributors, received the prestigious NSSF Ken Sedlecky Award for longterm commitment to the success of the industry and supporting NSSF’s mission to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Mark Keefe, editor-in-chief of American Rifleman magazine, was awarded the POMA-NSSF Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award.

Media was out in force again at the show, totaling 2,500, including international press. Some of the country’s most well-known radio personalities, including Mike Gallagher, Lars Larson and Dana Loesch, broadcasted live from the show’s popular “Radio Row.”

Prior to the show, NSSF hosted a fundraising golf tournament to benefit Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA), an industry developed and supported effort to help the healing and reintegration of disabled combat veterans back into normal American life though participation in outdoor events.

The SHOT Show is not just about selling and buying products. The show provides educational opportunities for firearms retailers at SHOT Show University, which was sold out, and at other seminars, and for law enforcement professionals at the Law Enforcement Education Program.

The SHOT Show is managed by Las Vegas-based ConvExx. Major sponsors of the 2015 SHOT Show in addition to Daniel Defense were Outdoor Channel, GunBroker.com, Brownell’s, Gamo Outdoor USA, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Mossy Oak, Trijicon, Smith & Wesson and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, among others. Ram Truck Brand was the official truck of the SHOT Show. Nissan was sponsor of the show’s press room.

The SHOT Show, the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas, pumps nearly $90 million in non-gaming revenue into the Las Vegas economy. Next year’s SHOT Show is scheduled for Jan. 19-22 at the Sands Expo.

Less Than 30 Days Until the 2015 SHOT Show! Are You Prepared?

The real countdown has begun—there are less than 30 days remaining until the doors open on the 2015 SHOT Show. Are you prepared? Take a look at the tips we have for exhibitors, buyers and retailers and media, as well as some important items that will help everyone attending SHOT Show (be sure to read through to the end!).

Exhibitors

  • Check the list of December 26 deadlines for catering, sign hanging, electrical, Internet and much, much more.
  • Do you have all your exhibitor badges (based on your allocation) finalized for your booth personnel?
  • Did you schedule a press conference? Now’s the time to get your press materials in order, send out invites to the media members and buyers you want to attend, and get working on your PowerPoint presentations.
  • There are still a handful of slots available for the all-new SHOT Showcase Theater. This is a unique opportunity to have your newest products and lines in front of media members and buyers in a high-intensity, multi-media forum. Contact Chris Tatulli, NSSF Director, Exhibit and Sponsorship Sales, ctatulli@nssf.org.
  • Get your press kits in order—jump drives, CDs, catalogs and press contact business cards. There will be more than 2,500 members of the media in attendance, and they need these materials. Also, remember to take advantage of the press bins in the Pressroom that are made available to members of the media; exhibitors may reserve up to two bins here. Media members tell us this is one of the first places they turn to for press kits, especially when the floor is busy and finding someone to talk to in a booth gets more difficult.
  • Are you holding a press conference in your booth? Let us know so that we can add your conference to our calendar of events. The press conference application provides an option for you to tell us that your booth will be the conference location, so please utilize that function.

Buyers/Retailers

  • Make the SHOT Show Planner your new home page and use the floor plan tab to set meetings and see all you need to see without zig-zagging the entire show floor and wasting time.
  • While you’re planning appointments, make sure to utilize the Show Special tab under the SHOT Show Planner. There are nearly 100 brands offering show-only specials, with more added every week.
  • SHOT Show University—This year’s lineup of topics and speakers is better than ever. Literally something for everyone from new store owner to veteran entrepreneur, this year’s University will also be open to exhibitors to encourage better communication and understanding of the manufacturer-to-consumer production chain. See the full course and speaker listing here and apply today—seating is limited!
  • The 2015 New Product Center should be on every buyer’s must-see list. Greatly expanded in size this year, you’ll find booth and company contact information for each product so that you may go directly to the floor for additional information.
  • This year NSSF will host more than a dozen Retail Seminars throughout the week with topics ranging from understanding key profit centers to compliance, as well as a special session on straw purchase prevention. Sessions are just $20 each, but worth their weight in gold. See the full schedule here.

Media

  • Press Room—As always, this is the place to be. Remember that the press room has a number of amenities press members need, such as free Wi-fi, electronic device charging stations, multiple PC and Mac work stations with printers, coat check and more. You can also find hot coffee and bottled water there throughout the day.
  • Press conferences will be held in Room 3401, Level 3, San Polo Ballroom of the Venetian, near the press room. A finalized list of available conferences will be posted here before the show begins.
  • NSSF Media Members have access to the Member’s Lounge during the show. The Member’s Lounge provides a quiet place to have a meeting, catch up on emails or just take a breather in between booth visits. A free lunch is also provided each day of the show.
  • Keep up with NSSF’s Twitter board during the show. Follow @NSSFSHOTShow now for announcements and of course search for and use #SHOTshow to follow the excitement of the show.
  • A full list of room numbers, phone numbers and websites important to our media members is available here.

EVERYONE!

  • The SHOT Show Mobile App is available now for Apple, Android and Blackberry smartphones and tablets. Simply go to shotmobile.com to link directly to the appropriate stores from your mobile device, or click here if opening from a web browser for more information or visit the app store for your mobile device and search for “2015 SHOT Show.”
  • Business cards—double what you think you need. It’s not worth running out mid-show.
  • Need to know where to go after show hours? Visit SHOT on a Dime to find dozens of restaurants on and near the strip that offer dining below $50, plus a list of local attractions.
  • Did you know SHOT Show has a concierge service? Traveler can help you with show tickets, tours, restaurant reservations and more.

This will be the last SHOT Blog post before the Christmas celebration. On behalf of everyone at NSSF, may all of you and yours have a safe and wonderful holiday. We look forward to seeing everyone in Las Vegas.

 

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

2015 SHOT Show University—Don’t Miss Out!

With the holidays almost upon us and SHOT Show just weeks away, I wanted to take a moment to round up the stream of information available for the 2015 SHOT Show University and encourage all retailers and range owners to attend. I firmly believe that this year’s lineup of speakers and sponsors brings more to the table than ever before, with ideas and discussion that will help everyone on the front lines of the firearms industry improve their businesses and meet the challenges of the year ahead.

We’ll start the day with a keynote address by the talented Dr. Linda Talley, who’s discussion on leadership development skills will help store owners and managers get the most out of their employees and create a productive, profitable environment for all staff members.

After the opening address by Dr. Talley, attendees will participate in one of four learning tracks.  Track 1, ATF Compliance, is geared toward newer retail owners and certainly a solid refresher for anyone. Choose Track 2, Drive Your Sales, and you’ll get lessons from experts Larry Messereau, Doug VanderWoude, Miles Hall and Gene Marks on how to profit from digital marketing, enhance your Internet presence, differentiate your business from the competition, increase cash flow and improve your promotions for better returns. In Track 3, Retailing 101, industry retail professionals Tom Shay, Karl Stearns and Bill Napier will discuss honing the basics of retailing firearms, with topics such as advertising planning, and merchandising practices that increase turns. Finally those attending Track 4, Veteran Retailer, will glean knowledge from some of our industry’s most successful and long-time entrepreneurs, such as Janey and Meaghan Hall, Tom Shay, Bill Napier, Karl Stearns and NSSF’s own Deb Kenney, with panels on human resources, ecommerce planning, security strategies, and store layout enhancements.

The 2015 SHOT Show University will conclude with a closing address from business consultant giant Afterburner, Inc.—and I promise, you do not want to miss this dynamic presentation.

This year’s University is represented by an unprecedented lineup of talent and expertise. But none of that would be possible without the industry support of our sponsors. These include Smith & Wesson, Celerant Technology, the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers, Winchester, and our two newest sponsors, iTech Digital and Joseph Chiarello and Co., Inc. Their contributions to making the 2015 SHOT Show University live up to and surpass the success of past Universities amply demonstrates the industry’s commitment to helping today’s firearms retailers succeed. Be sure to visit with them during SHOT Show and thank them for their partnership in this year’s event—together, this is how we all continue to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports for the generations to come.

SHOT Show University is the premier event for firearms retailers. Seats are limited and this event will sell out, so retailers are urged to sign up now. Remember, NSSF Premium Retailer members are offered a complimentary ticket to SHOT Show University. Additional tickets for both Premium Retailer members and all other NSSF members who wish to attend is $250; non-members may attend for $500. To learn more about SHOT Show University and its many sessions, click here. To upgrade your membership to the Premium Retailer level or to join NSSF at the level that best serves your business needs, visit nssf.org/join or e-mail membership@nssf.org.

SHOT Show University Adds Seats, Encourages Exhibitors to Attend

Thanks to an outstanding lineup of topics and speakers, we’ve received numerous calls from exhibitor representatives asking to attend the 2015 SHOT Show University. Though SHOT Show University is generally geared toward firearms retailers, with the number of seat requests we received, we took a look at the panels and realized that there was indeed value in many of them for exhibitors at the show. We recently sent an invitation to the full list of exhibitors announcing the expanded seating, and I just want to take a moment here to emphasize the breadth of information they’ll receive by attending SHOT Show University.

For those exhibitors unfamiliar with the forum, SHOT Show University is a one-day educational event that takes place on Monday, Jan. 19, the day before the official start of the SHOT Show. Sessions are geared toward the unique needs of professionals in the firearms business and cover such varied topics as working with the Federal form 4473 and other important compliance issues, as well as business development forums such as digital and content marketing, cash flow practices, store security, loss prevention, advertising planning, store layout maximization and more.

The day starts with an opening address by Dr. Linda Talley, one of the country’s most respected business-development leaders. After that, University attendees will break into one of four educational tracks—ATF Compliance, Drive Your Sales, Retailing 101 and Veteran Retailer—learning about developments in our industry through leading experts such as Gene Marks, Tom Shay, Larry Mersereau, Karl Stearns, Bill Napier and NSSF’s own ATF Compliance Consultants Wally Nelson and Harry McCabe. This year’s University will end with a dynamic closing address by former Marine pilot Patrick “Lips” Houlahan, a team leader with business consultant company Afterburner, Inc.

“After seeing the number of requests to attend SHOT Show University that were coming from exhibitors, we realized that they had a genuine and valid interest in knowing the business through their retailers’ eyes,” said Randy Clark, NSSF Senior Director, Business Development. “There is tremendous knowledge to be had by learning about what’s important to others in the chain of people who move product from maker to consumer within our industry. Thus it makes perfect sense to open the doors wider to the unique forum that is SHOT Show University.”

Though NSSF has added additional seats to accommodate the many exhibitors wishing to attend SHOT Show University, seating is limited and this event will sell out. We encourage everyone to register for this event now. Exhibitors interested in attending can email me at pshay@nssf.org for assistance with registration. Remember, NSSF Premium Retailers are offered a complimentary ticket to SHOT Show University. Additional tickets for both Premium Retailer members and all other NSSF members who wish to attend are $250 per ticket; non-members may attend for $500 per ticket. To learn more about SHOT Show University and its many sessions, click here. To upgrade your membership to the Premium Retailer level or to join at NSSF at the level that best serves your business needs, visit nssf.org/join or e-mail membership@nssf.org.

NSSF Welcomes Business Expert Karl Stearns to 2015 SHOT Show University Speaker Lineup

KMS_2014_WKC_croppedEntrepreneur and small business expert Karl Stearns is the newest addition to the growing list of highly respected individuals lecturing at NSSF’s 2015 SHOT Show University. Stearns will conduct two sessions for this year’s University:

  • The Four Pillars of Digital Marketing—During this presentation, retailers will learn how to “get found” in today’s vast world of cyber presence. The session will focus on ways to nurture relationships, grow contact lists, increase customer loyalty, and utilizing dedicated digital campaigns to drive customers to your business. Attendees will also learn how use and understand digital analytics to make better decisions for their businesses and their customers.
  • Tactics to Improve Your Ecommerce Plan—Give your website, online store and digital marketing plan a tune up with this exciting and insightful presentation.

With a background of accounting skills, sales and marketing expertise and the advantage of owning several small businesses, Stearns “walks the walk and talks the talk” of small business people. A winner of numerous automotive industry awards, Stearns writes for a number of industry trade journals and serves as a marketing consultant to clients nationwide. As a speaker for Tom Shay’s Profits Plus small business seminars, he addresses groups throughout the United States on a wide variety of small businesses topics from pricing strategies, getting better results from employees, business management and reading and understanding financial statements. He also is a Platinum Solution Provider for Constant Contact, one of today’s most-used business client mailing list platforms, having attained certification in presenting programs on digital marketing.

“We are extremely pleased to have someone like Karl, who’s knowledge of digital business marketing—how to plan it, how to analyze the results, how to make it work to grow any retailer’s client base—is so important to meeting the demands of retailing firearms in the 21st century,” said Randy Clark, NSSF Managing Director, Business Development. “Our retailers’ visibility absolutely depends on a digital presence these days. But in the lightning-fast pace of the Internet, it’s a mistake for today’s retailer to think that a simple web page with a picture of their staff and the store’s hours and phone number are enough to get people into your store. The web is the place where business is happening, and whether you’re actually taking and fulfilling orders via the web or merely utilizing its inherent functionality to drive more foot traffic into your store through the creative use of advertising, blogs, newsletters and more, Karl’s sessions will provide the foundation to do both.”

SHOT Show University is the premier event for firearms retailers. Seats are limited and this event will sell out, so retailers are urged to sign up now. Remember, NSSF Premium Retailers are offered a complimentary ticket to SHOT Show University. Additional tickets for both Premium Retailer members and all other NSSF members who wish to attend are $250 per ticket; non-members may attend for $500 per ticket. To learn more about SHOT Show University and its many sessions, click here. To upgrade your membership to the Premium Retailer level or to join at NSSF at the level that best serves your business needs, visit nssf.org/join or e-mail membership@nssf.org.

Two Newest Speakers to SHOT Show University to Address Veteran Retailer Needs

Our world is constantly changing, and today’s modern firearms dealer is anything but immune to those changes. Demographics shift, purchasing abilities go up and down and trends come and go—and if you’re not making the necessary adjustments to meet those challenges, your product is going to sit on your shelves and your business is going to suffer.

This is precisely why NSSF has an educational track devoted exclusively to driving sales in its SHOT Show University Lineup. We’ve already told you about expert business professionals Larry Mersereau and Gene Marks, scheduled to speak on topics such as digital marketing and market differentiation and content marketing. Now NSSF has added well-known firearms retailing veterans Doug VanderWoude and Miles Hall to the Drive Your Sales Lineup as the featured speakers for the all-important Power Promotions session.

In this session, VanderWoude and Hall will show retailers how to drive sales and increase margins and turns with a number of unique promotional ideas that the pair have developed over their combined 60-plus years of experience in the firearms industry.

“It’s not often the an FFL dealer gets to engage with successful, veteran retailers like Doug and Miles,” said Randy Clark, NSSF Managing Director, Business Development. “Not only do these have the ‘street cred’ to speak on what works, they have the profitable and long-standing successful businesses to back them up. Having gone through innumerable ups and downs during their tenure in the firearms business and come out ahead, their insight into what works and what doesn’t should prove invaluable to today’s retailers.”

Doug VanderWoude is a 32-year veteran of the retail firearms industry, having spent 29 of those years behind a gun counter. He started a firearms retail store with an indoor shooting range from scratch and was a charter member of the industry’s first performance group. He is a current and active member of the NSSF Range Committee. Today, VanderWoude is a firearms retail and range consultant who has visited more than 190 firearms retail facilities in the past 38 months. He has worked with multiple firearms companies on proven nationwide promotions that drive consumers into ranges, and he spends many of his days helping other firearms retailers improve traffic flow inside their stores and increase profitability.

Miles Hall is Founder and President of H&H Shooting Sports Complex in Oklahoma City. Started in 1981, H&H is a community educational and retail complex with a focus on developing and promoting shooting sports. The current facility houses 61 shooting lanes for Olympic air rifle and pistol, standard pistol, high-power rifle, and archery. H&H has been ranked as a top 10 dealer by the majority of major manufacturers in the shooting sports. Hall is a founding member and serves as past president of the Association of Shooting Ranges, is a founding member of the Association of Firearm Retailers, and a past board member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. He was named 2004 Retailer of the Year by Shot Business Magazine. H&H was also selected for that magazine’s Range of the Year honor in 2006 and was the first facility to receive NSSF’s prestigious Five Star Range Rating. Inc. Magazine has selected H&H as one of the fastest growing, privately held business in the United States for the last seven years and is the only gun dealer ever on that list for four of those years.

SHOT Show University is the premier event for firearms retailers. Seats are limited and this event will sell out, so retailers are urged to sign up now. Remember, NSSF Premium Retailers are offered a complimentary ticket to SHOT Show University. Additional tickets for both Premium Retailer members and all other NSSF members who wish to attend is $250; non-members may attend for $500. To learn more about SHOT Show University and its many sessions, click here. To upgrade your membership to the Premium Retailer level or to join at NSSF at the level that best serves your business needs, visit www.nssf.org/join or e-mail membership@nssf.org.

SHOT Show University: Learn How to Hire the Right People from HR Pro Deb Kenney

DKenneyJoining the growing list of talented speakers to engage listeners at the 2015 SHOT Show University, NSSF’s own Deb Kenney, Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, will bring her wealth of knowledge and decades of experience in employee recruitment, retention and management to the table.

“There are many experts in the field of human resources,” said Randy Clark, NSSF Managing Director, Business Development, “but when it comes to the highly specialized businesses that make up the firearms industry, none is more qualified than Deb Kenney. With more than 18 years at the helm of our own Human Resources Department, she has an intimate knowledge of how successful manufacturers, wholesalers, range owners and retailers profit through smart hiring practices. She truly understands the ins and outs of what our industry members do, and her insights into the core of those businesses—their employees—are invaluable.”

Kenney’s all-important presentation “Winning Teams Start with Great Players: Hiring Habits of Highly Successful Businesses” will provide SHOT Show University attendees an insider’s perspective on what makes a company successful.  She will outline a roadmap on how to identify the right people for your business using behavior and attitude interviewing techniques. Attendees will learn the importance of culture, job fit and how to attract and retain exceptional employees.

“I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to talk to those attending the 2015 SHOT Show University and share why smart hiring practices should be implemented in their businesses—diminished turnover and training times, reduced product loss, increased morale, enhanced team coordination and an employee workforce that actually drives sales—as well as the steps any retailer can take to make smarter hiring choices and build a team of people who want to work for you.”

With extensive experience leading human resources, talent and organizational development, Kenney leads the human resources and administrative operations for the NSSF. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and is certified by the HR Certification Institute as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Kenney is also a certified analyst for Activity Vector Analysis (AVA), a behavioral cross-industry, work-related behavioral assessment system.  She is an experienced speaker and presents educational programs on a variety of human resources and management topics.  As a Vice President for the NSSF, Kenney ensures that the strength and success of the Foundation is an exceptionally talented and experienced staff that successfully carries out the NSSF mission each and every day.

SHOT Show University is the premier event for firearms retailers. Seats are filling fast and this event will sell out, so retailers are urged to sign up now. Remember, NSSF Premium Retailer members are offered a complimentary ticket to SHOT Show University. Additional tickets for both Premium Retailer members and all other NSSF members who wish to attend is $250; non-members may attend for $500. To learn more about SHOT Show University and its many sessions, click here. To upgrade your membership to the Premium Retailer level or to join at NSSF at the level that best serves your business needs, visit nssf.org/join or e-mail membership@nssf.org.

Did You Know?

Premium Retailer members are offered a complimentary ticket to SHOT Show University. To learn more about this important benefit, click here.

NSSF ATF Experts Latest Speakers to Join SHOT Show University Lineup

The National Shooting Sports Foundation is pleased to announce that two of its leading compliance experts have joined the lineup of speakers for the 2015 SHOT Show University. Retired ATF agents Harry McCabe and Wally Nelson will be moderating five classes in the ATF Compliance Track. Topics for this track include:

  • How to identify errors in your 4473 forms and the ways to legally correct them.
  • Perfecting A&D book maintenance.
  • A review of the best compliance practices NSSF’s team of compliance consultants has seen across the thousands of site visits and inspections they’ve conducted.
  • What happens during an ATF inspection and how you and your store can best prepare for one.
  • The top 10 compliance issues ATF routinely encounters with today’s retailers and how you can ensure your store doesn’t make these same mistakes.

“More than any other topic we encounter during discussions with thousands of retailers across the country each year, how to stay on top of compliance is a primary concern,” explained Randy Clark, NSSF Managing Director, Business Development. “Our retailers truly want to make every effort they can to conduct their businesses in a completely legal manner, and that includes working to pass an ATF audit without any errors, making sure each and every Form 4473 transaction is completed accurately and that inventory records and firearms A&D books are both up to date and accurate. This is why we are so dedicated to providing these business owners with experts in the field of compliance like Harry McCabe and Wally Nelson. These two men alone bring nearly 70 combined years of ATF experience to the table to help our retailers negotiate the maze of regulations and compliance issues that go hand in hand with selling firearms.”

Harry McCabe has more than 36 years of service with the ATF under his belt. He began his career as an inspector in Raleigh, North Carolina, eventually becoming an area supervisor in Detroit and a branch chief at Headquarters. In 1998, he became Director, Industry Operations of the Nashville Field Division. During the 12 years he spent in that position, he oversaw more than 5,000 firearms qualification and compliance inspections and conducted approximately dozens of firearms industry educational seminars. In 2010, he became Deputy Assistant Director for Field Operations, a position he maintained until he retired from ATF in June of 2012.

Wally Nelson is a retired ATF Deputy Assistant Director with more than 30 years experience. As DAD, he directed all regulatory firearms programs, including the development and monitoring of firearms inspection programs, licensing, NFA, imports, tracing and regulations, as well as the firearms technology branch. He retired from ATF in October 2005 and for the last nine years has brought his expertise in firearms laws and regulations to industry members as a private consultant. In that capacity, Nelson performs site inspections, provides employee training and helps develop compliance plans.

Both McCabe and Nelson are members of NSSF’s team of FFL compliance consultants available to our members for on-site consultations. Both men also frequently lecture at NSSF’s regional Retailer Seminars held throughout the year.

Registration for the 2015 SHOT Show University is open now, but seats are limited and this event will sell out. New this year, NSSF Premium Retail members are offered one complimentary ticket to attend this event. Additional tickets for Premium Retail members and tickets purchased by other NSSF members are $250. Non-members may attend SSU for $500. To register for the 2015 SHOT Show University, go to shotshow.org and log back into the show registration panel using the username and password you originally used to register to attend the show. Once logged in, you’ll find a full list of events and ticket prices. Not an NSSF member? Join here.