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Order Your Tickets to the State of the Industry Dinner Today!

Jeff Foxworthy, the largest-selling comedian of all time with 13 million albums, will give an exclusive live performance at the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s State of the Industry Dinner on Tuesday evening, Jan. 18, in the Palazzo Ballroom, Level 5 of the Venetian Hotel and Casino.

Join us as we celebrate and recap the industry’s accomplishments for 2010.

Tickets are $100; tables of 10 can be purchased for $950. Tickets are first come first serve, nonrefundable, and there is limited seating.

You can acquire tickets by logging onto the SHOT Show registration page. You must be preregistered for the SHOT Show in order to purchase tickets for the State of the Industry event. If you have already registered for the show, you must log in using your established e-mail and password under “Already Registered” on the right side of the page.

Tickets are available to attendees, exhibitors and media. Because of the anticipated demand, ticket sales will be limited to two tables.

If you have any problems with your registration or ticket orders, please contact SHOT Show Client Services at 888-334-8720, 203-840-5600 or inquiry@shot.reedexpo.com.

Jeff Foxworthy to Headline NSSF’s State of the Industry Dinner

Jeff Foxworthy is one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country.

He is the largest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award nominee and best selling author of more than 26 books. Widely known for his redneck jokes, his act goes well beyond that to explore the humor in everyday family interactions and human nature, a style that has been compared to Mark Twain’s.

He will give an exclusive live performance January 18 at the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s State of the Industry Dinner and Concert at the SHOT Show.

Foxworthy is currently hosting the hit show Are Your Smarter Than A 5th Grader, which airs in syndication. Prior to that he executive produced and starred in, Foxworthy’s Big Night Out. Foxworthy had also starred in and executive produced the television series, Blue Collar TV, which he created for the WB network. Blue Collar TV came about due to the success of Blue Collar Comedy Tour, The Movie and the concert tour of the same name. The movie premiered on Comedy Central and was the highest rated movie in the channel’s history. To date the movie has sold more than 4 million units. The soundtrack for this movie has been RIAA certified gold (more than 500,000 units).

In addition to guaranteed laughs provided by Foxworthy, a ticket to the NSSF State of the Industry Dinner and Concert provides a seat for the special NSSF 50th Anniversary celebration video and other presentations.

NSSF’s State of the Industry Dinner and Concert will take place following the close of opening day of the SHOT Show in the Palazzo Ballroom, Level 5 of the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Tickets are priced at $100 each. Tables of ten can be purchased for $950. When general sales open on October 1, tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are non-refundable.

Tickets can be purchased online. To purchase tickets for the State of the Industry event, individuals must be pre-registered for the SHOT Show. Registered show-goers can log in using their established e-mail address and password under “Already Registered” on the right side of the registration web page.

Anyone who encounters a problem with registration or a ticket orders should contact SHOT Show Client Services at 888-334-8720 or 203-840-5600 or inquiry@shot.reedexpo.com.

Attendee Registration Open for 2011 SHOT Show

Attendee registration for the 2011 SHOT Show is now open at www.shotshow.org.

In a short video invitation, National Shooting Sports Foundation Chairman Bob Scott encourages all buyers and retailers to sharpen their competitive edge by attending the 2011 show in Las Vegas.

“Our new SHOT Show logo is just the beginning of what’s new and changed at this year’s SHOT Show,” said Scott.

Watch the video and register today for NSSF’s 2011 SHOT Show.

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Got your badge scanned at an exhibitor’s booth? Retrace your steps at the 2010 SHOT Show with ‘Encore’

You saw an interesting product at the SHOT Show, but you lost the notes you took and the handouts the exhibitor gave you. That and other scenarios where you'd like to retrace your steps at the 2010 show can be addressed by Encore, a reverse lead retrieval system.

This complimentary service provides show attendees with contact information on all of the exhibitors they visited. If your badge was scanned at an exhibitor booth, that information should be in the database.

Every attendee who had his or her badge scanned should have already received e-mails inviting the recipient to click on a link in the e-mail that would provide access to that individual's personal list of exhibitors visited.

If you no longer have access to those e-mails, and you'd like to obtain contact information on the exhibitors you visited at the show, send an e-mail to inquiry@shot.reedexpo.com.

Update from the Sands: New roof installation complete

To ensure the best possible SHOT Show experience for this coming year, we've asked the Sands Expo & Convention Center to provide our exhibitors and attendees with regular updates on improvements the facility is making for next year's show. The following is an update from Ashlyn LaPorte, executive director of event management for the Sands:

SHOT Show 2011 is now one month closer and we wanted to once again tell you how excited we are to have you coming back to the Sands Expo & Convention Center.

While we all know it never rains in Vegas, we wanted to share some exciting news with you. The Sands is one week away from completion of our new roof installation. That's right! While the storm of January 2010 is behind us, and we know it will never rain again, we are prepared, with a new roof to cover your head.

As we continue to improve in preparation for your return, I will update you on the many exciting changes here at the Sands. See you in January!

Las Vegas in January: A Popular Choice for the SHOT Show

The following is an article from the April/May issue of SHOT Business magazine:

Las Vegas in January
The 2010 SHOT Show returned to Las Vegas in January by popular demand

By Chris Dolnack
NSSF Senior Vice President

Eighty-five percent of SHOT Show exhibitors have stressed that holding the industry's largest trade show in January is a must. A January show gives manufacturers plenty of lead time to introduce new products, get a head start on sales and ensure their products are in stores with plenty of time to spare before hunting season.

In 2008, the SHOT Show was held in February, and it turned out to be one of the lowest-rated shows in its history. This was primarily because many companies lost a whole month of sales because they weren't able to introduce new products a month earlier.

To combat this problem, the 2009 show was held in January in Orlando. That show was one of the highest-rated shows ever in our customer feedback surveys.

A majority of exhibitors, however, have continually stressed the importance of holding the show in Las Vegas. According to post-show surveys, 85 percent say the show should be held there "no matter what."

When it comes to trade shows, Las Vegas is a popular place in January. It's the most sought-after month in the trade-show business, with giants like the International Consumer Electronics Show taking first priority with local tourism officials.

We've been fortunate in the past to be able to hold the show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the most attractive venue by far to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (owner and sponsor of the SHOT Show), as well as to a majority of exhibitors and attendees.

More than anyone, we would like to hold the show there every year. Unfortunately, we were not able to be there in 2010 and will not be able to be there for the foreseeable future due to high demand for dates in January and February.

Other than the Las Vegas Convention Center, the only venue in Las Vegas that can support the SHOT Show is the Sands Expo and Convention Center.

The NSSF held the 2010 show at the Sands because of its availability in January. The Sands had planned to have a brand-new convention center built by 2010, but that plan, like many others around the country, fell victim to the economic downturn.

Though the 2010 SHOT Show successfully set records for attendees and media, we recognize that the venue posed some challenges for everyone. We've already begun addressing those challenges and are striving to improve the SHOT Show experience next year, when we head back to the Sands.

To start, there will be more adequate signage in the exhibit halls and common areas, more seating available for dining and more information staff throughout the venue to answer questions and offer directions.

We are also working with the Sands to address other facility-related issues.

A couple of rumors making their way around the 2010 show were that the Sands is NSSF's first-choice venue and that the show was held there because the venue is less expensive.

Both could not be further from the truth. On the contrary, it would cost us a lot less to hold the show at the Las Vegas Convention Center because it is a public facility.

Another rumor was that the NSSF has contracted with the Sands for the next 10 years or more. The truth is that we are under contract for 2011 and are finalizing a contract for 2012.

We have reserved dates at the Sands for years beyond that, but we are also carefully weighing our options for future SHOT Show venues that can provide the required 1.5 million square feet of exhibit space in firearms-friendly, warm-weather cities.

We are also continuing to work with the Las Vegas Convention Center in seeking future long-term dates there.

The fact that so many in our industry want the show to be held in Las Vegas in January is understandable. Las Vegas is a first-rate entertainment destination.

Many feel the SHOT Show is at its best when it's in Las Vegas, and, judging by booth traffic and sales at the 2010 show, we'd certainly agree.

We continue to receive and monitor feedback from exhibitors, attendees and media about the 2010 show, and we are listening.

It's our goal to ensure not only that the show remains second to none, but also that all of our customers continue to be provided with a can't-miss experience each and every year.

Update from the Sands on improvements being made for next year’s SHOT Show

We have asked the Sands Expo & Convention Center to provide our exhibitors and attendees with regular updates on improvements the facility is making for next year's SHOT Show.

We at NSSF appreciate everyone's feedback and we will continue to work closely with the Sands to ensure next year's show is second to none.

The following is a letter from Sands management:

The Sands Expo & Convention Center was very proud to play host to your 2010 SHOT Show this year. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of such an exciting and successful event.

In anticipation of your return in 2011, we are pleased to announce some exciting changes and building improvements coming your way in hopes of creating an even better experience for you in the future.

We have listened to your suggestions and realize it may have been difficult to find your way around a 2 million square foot facility for the first time. Therefore we have created a new signage program for you with large directionals in numerous new locations, making it simpler to find restrooms, food outlets, exits, adjacent meeting space and more.

Also once you find those restrooms you will discover they have a whole new look. Yes they are getting a facelift. During the upcoming year, The Sands has many exciting upgrades scheduled to delight you on your next visit. I will keep you posted as we move along.

We look forward to sharing our new look with you as we prepare to host your SHOT Show in 2011.

Answers to your questions about the SHOT Show – Part 2

Since the show, we've received feedback in all forms, including social media, the live chat we held last month and surveys we've sent to all of the show's exhibitors and attendees.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be addressing the questions we've received and posting the answers right here on the blog.

Q: Any thoughts on improving the check-in process for the next two years?

A: Many thoughts actually. We will move the main registration area and employ stanchions similar to what airports do to control lines.

Q: How about a separate show for law enforcement?

A: Even though law enforcement accounts for 27 percent of the floor space, less than 10 percent of the attendees register as law enforcement. The fact is that the vast majority of the LE products displayed at the SHOT Show are purchased by traditional sporting goods or firearms retailers and they don't want to travel 10 minutes or more to another venue, according to our surveys.

Q: You still haven't addressed the fire hazard of being stuck in a basement on lockdown if there were a serious threat. A small incident at the end of the show and the entire basement is locked down by rent-a-cops?

A: In response to this question that was posted on our Facebook page, there was a power outage that occurred at the Sands after the close of the 2010 SHOT Show. A detailed response on the situation is provided here by Karen Haigh, senior director of operations for Reed Exhibitions, which manages the show for NSSF.

Q: Can anything be done to improve the Package Center for the Palazzo/Venetian? It was understaffed and there were long lines to retrieve packages.

A: We are addressing that with Sands management.

Q: We've heard that there was a new Sands Convention Center under construction. If this is true, will be able to go there next year?

A: The plans to build a new Sands Convention Center went the way of the economy and there are currently no plans for a new Sands CC.

Q: The main aisle seems a little narrower than in the past and therefore it was a bit congested. Is there any way to make the aisles a little bit wider?

A: It is narrower by about 4 feet. We could widen the aisles by cutting down on the number of exhibitors on Level 1 and Level 2 but then we spread the show out even more.

Q: Can anything be done to reduce the cost of meeting space prior to show opening for exhibitors?

A: It doesn’t look like it at this time. The Sands is a privately owned building and the cost of meeting space is significantly higher than the convention centers in Las Vegas or Orlando, which are publicly owned buildings. Food and beverage costs are higher as well.

Q: How about going back to the 10-foot-by-10-foot grids for booth selection?

A: This may allow users with enough points to take a spot they want instead of being shuttled to the corners. Good in theory, but doesn't take into account the number of booths that are 30 feet wide or larger. In reality, we would end up with even more dead-end aisles than we have now.

Answers to your questions about the show

Since the show, we've received feedback in all forms, including social media, the live chat we held last month and surveys we've sent to all of the show's exhibitors and attendees.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be addressing the questions we've received and posting the answers right here on the blog.

Here is the first batch:

Q: Can there be more staff on the floor? I had a lot of trouble finding vendors I wanted to see.

A: We will have more information staff on the floor and in the lobbies for 2011.

Q: Will the Sands Convention Center have the roof fixed in case of rain next year? Will dry storage be considered for crates?

A: We have asked the Sands to address this for 2011. The rain we experienced was highly unusual as Las Vegas received nearly a year's worth of rain in a couple of days.

Q: Why must the SHOT Show take place in early January?

A: Because that's when the vast majority of our customers tell us they want the show. In fact, 85 percent say it should be in early January in Las Vegas.

Q: Can the SHOT Show get on a regular schedule every year? The last week of January, first week of February, etc?

A: We are currently scheduled for the third week in January but would certainly move to the second week if it became available.

Q: Any thought given to reducing the number of exhibitors or at least limiting booth size to accommodate the Sands venue?

A: Yes on both counts. We have already ceased selling booth space for 2011 even though we were 6,000 net square feet below 2010.

Q: A ton of people were sitting on the floor eating near the food vendors. It is very difficult to have business discussions in this fashion. Can there be more chairs added?

A: Yes. That's one of the reasons we capped exhibit space 6,000 net square feet less than 2010.

Q: Instead of being concerned about how many people attend the show can the NSSF change its focus to attracting qualified buyers?

A: We put in many more restrictions for attendees this year and are seeking greater cooperation from both attendees and exhibitors to limit friends and family that they obtain credentials for.

Q: Why do you allow exhibitors to expand on the main floor before everyone has a chance to pick?

A: Because they have the most priority points and quite frankly are the biggest draw for the attendees. We are looking at capping our largest exhibitors for future events, however it appears that some of the larger exhibitors are reducing their exhibit space voluntarily.

If you missed the chat we held last month, you can view the transcript at nssf.org/shotshowchat.

State of the Industry: ‘Strong as I’ve seen it,’ says NSSF president

At the SHOT Show's annual State of the Industry Dinner, NSSF President Steve Sanetti noted that the firearms industry had a very good year despite a national economy that was clearly stuck in neutral.

"With sales and revenues in much of our industry at a decade-long high despite the worst recession in a generation, we have thrived," Sanetti said in the annual speech to members of the industry.

At the start of 2010, he said, the industry remains strong — and that by working together as an industry in meeting the challenges that lay ahead, it will continue to thrive.

"I have to say that the state of the industry in 2010, at the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century, is about as strong as I've seen it," Sanetti said. "Working together, staving off the challenges as we take advantage of the many opportunities we have with millions of new firearms owners that have joined our ranks since we last met in Orlando, we will all, individually and collectively, make a difference."

Sanetti attributed some of the industry's success to the contributions of those in the business.

"All of you have contributed so much — not just because of your successful business efforts, but by your presence here, you've shown that you care deeply about our enterprise and our precious way of life. Your membership in the NSSF and your participation in this greatest annual industry gathering help us help you, by funding those programs that help us fulfill our mission — to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports," Sanetti said.

Sanetti concluded by thanking the audience for their "support of the SHOT Show, the shooting sports, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and most importantly, for helping us nurture those values we all care so much about, that constitute the very best of our American way of life."

See all of NSSF President Steve Sanetti's remarks from the State of the Industry: