SHOT Show® 2005: the shooting, hunting, outdoor trade show and conference

Shooting Industry, Dec, 2004 by Carolee Anita Boyles

The Industry Hits Las Vegas! Dealers To Win $40,000-Plus In Shopping Sprees, Awards!

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The shooting sports industry's largest and most spectacular trade show returns to its favored location, Las Vegas, Jan. 28-31, 2005. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) SHOT Show will take place in the Las Vegas Convention Center, and early reports indicate it is on track to break records.

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"At this point, the 2005 SHOT Show has already exceeded the 2004 show in square footage," said Doug Painter, NSSF president. "We're already at 560,000 square feet, up from last year's 529,000. I can't think of a better reason for everyone who's in this business to attend what looks to be like a record-breaking show in terms of exhibit space."

The show's coordinators are also enticing dealers to attend the mega trade show with enhanced services, additional product sections, business-building seminars and $40,000-plus in shopping sprees and other awards.

"There are a lot more things happening at the SHOT Show, and that's helping our attendance. Whether it's the SHOT Show University, the Outfitters Post, the new Paintball Section, it's not just the same old show every year," Painter said. "We really try to look at the trends and issues that affect the retailing community and be on the edge in providing attendees a real value for attending."

Painter said that in today's retailing atmosphere, which he notes continues to change and challenge everyone in the hunting and shooting sports business, the SHOT Show is an increasingly important event.

"It's important not just from the product perspective, but also from the educational perspective," Painter said. "Education will help everyone in the retail community meet a rapidly changing and challenging environment."

Attendance at the 2005 event is expected to equal or exceed the February 2004 show, which drew 33,264 attendees. At the 2005 show, more than 1,600 manufacturers are slated to present their "newest and best" products, and buyers from all 50 states and more than 65 countries are expected to attend.

"I was very pleased with attendance at the 2004 show, and with another large show coming up, I'm predicting we'll have very good attendance," Painter said. "Las Vegas remains the most popular venue for us, and I think that's always a strong attracting factor."

Continuing a tradition begun at the show's 25th anniversary celebration in 2003, there will be a concert in conjunction with the State of the Industry dinner on the first night of the show, Jan. 28. LeAnn Rimes, a country and pop singer, will perform during the banquet. Ticket information for the banquet and concert is available at www.shotshow.org.

The new and enhanced features of the 2005 SHOT Show reflect a need to keep the show vibrant and forward looking, according to Chris Dolnack, NSSF's managing director of program development.

"We're not standing still," Dolnack said. "The SHOT Show is too important to our industry for us not to give it the attention it deserves. There's no shortage of historical evidence for other trade shows that got comfortable and didn't adapt, and they're either gone or much smaller. We're working very hard to make sure that the SHOT Show stays relevant and offers value to attendees and exhibitors, alike."

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Dealers Cash In At SHOT Show 2005

Show coordinators for 2005 are offering special incentives to encourage dealers to stay for the entire show. For the first time in 18 years, the show will run through a weekend, with the closing day on a Monday. Concerned that dealers may decide to leave Las Vegas on Sunday evening or Monday morning, officials are giving away $40,000-plus in shopping sprees and other awards.

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"Retailers who stay through Monday will have a chance to win a number of prizes," said Glenn Sapir, NSSF editorial director. "Dealers who have their badges scanned during the show, up until 1 p.m. on Monday, will be eligible for a number of drawings, if they're present. Retailers who win can go on a shopping spree from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday."

One dealer will receive a $10,000 shopping spree and another will win a $5,000 shopping spree. Twenty other retailers will have $1,000 each for shopping on the show floor.

In addition, one retailer will win NSSF's "Original Outdoor Challenge" customized television advertising package for their store--a $5,000 value. Two retailers will win a 2006 SHOT Show travel award, including a four-night stay at a luxury hotel and free show registration. Ten more retailers will win $100 gift certificates for the finest restaurants in Las Vegas.

To enter the drawings, dealers must register at the designated booth in the main lobby during show hours until 1 p.m. on Monday. Winners must be present when their names are drawn.

A Hunt Of A Lifetime

Another lucky retailer attending the 2005 show will win a trip to South Africa to hunt Cape Buffalo.

"We're calling it the 'Ultimate Hunt,'" Sapir said. "It's not all expenses paid, because travel isn't included, but it does cover lodging, food, guiding, licenses and the hunt. It also allows for a non-hunting guest or observer. Buyers and dealers must register at the Big Game Safaris booth, which is in the Outfitters Post, and have their badges scanned there."