Industry Invited
To Dynamic
Anniversary Show!

Are you ready for a birthday bash for the entire industry? The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is throwing just such a party in celebration of its 30th anniversary of the SHOT Show. The mega trade show, to be held in Las Vegas, Feb. 2-5, 2008, will not only celebrate the event’s coming-of-age mark, it also will establish new records.

“What’s big and exciting about our 30th anniversary is it will be, by a good measure, the largest SHOT Show in our 30-year history,” said Doug Painter, NSSF president. “It’s an extraordinary milestone for a mature show to still be a growing show. It really underscores that this show and this industry are in a very dynamic period.”

The show has expanded so much it, once again, has outgrown the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“We have completely sold out the Las Vegas Convention Center and we will have exhibits in a series of sprung structures,” Painter said. “What you’re really looking at is a tent that will be about a quarter of a million square feet.”

SHOT Show 2008 also will be unique because, instead of running from Thursday through Sunday, it will be held from Saturday, Feb. 2 though Tuesday, Feb. 5.

“The truth about Las Vegas is that it is far and away the most popular city in the United States for trade events,” Painter said. “So, the time we got is a bit unusual and we have the Super Bowl that weekend, as well. Some people are saying, ‘You’re competing against the Super Bowl,’ yet, we’ve had two SHOT Shows with the Super Bowl on one day or another of the show. Both times, we very carefully monitored what impact it had on the show floor and there was really none that we could say was a discernible impact.”

Jeanette Mannuzza, NSSF’s director of SHOT Show operations, said that as of mid-October, she was projecting the show would cover between 710,000 and 720,000 square feet of exhibit space. That doesn’t include aisles and walkways. In total, the show will cover between 1.4 and 1.5 million square feet.

“We were at 656,000 square feet of exhibit space last year, so that’s an increase of between 54,000 and 55,000 square feet,” Mannuzza said. “That’s a lot of increase for one year. We’re projecting more than 45,000 people in total attendance, and in October even the 125,000 extra square feet of exhibit space was almost sold out.”

As a result of that increase, SHOT Show officials have created what they’re calling the Gold Hall, which is the “tent” Painter mentioned.

“It’s a huge sprung structure that’s 250,000 square feet by itself,” Mannuzza said. “That’s a quarter of a million square feet. It will be carpeted, heated and air conditioned.”
At the 2006 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, there was a sprung structure with 34,000 square feet of exhibit space and a total of 85,000 square feet in the Silver Lot outside the convention center.

“This is going to be three times that size,” Mannuzza said. “We had to do this because the show has grown so quickly that without it, there would be at least 600 exhibitors who would not be able to exhibit at the 2008 show.”

These aren’t just new companies to the industry or the SHOT Show, Mannuzza said.

“These are exhibitors who have been our partners for several years, but we’ve now outgrown the North and Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center,” Mannuzza said. “All this growth is a testament to our exhibitors and their long-standing allegiance to the show. As you know, this is our 30th anniversary and we have 82 original exhibitors still with us. When you think that the very first show in 1979 in St. Louis only had 290 companies who exhibited in 52,000 square feet, and there were only 2,450 buyers, we’ve really grown.”

The theme for this year’s show is “30 Years of Making the Great Outdoors Great For Business.”

“Three decades ago, leaders in our industry knew the time had come to step forward and stand tall,” Painter said. “On this, our 30th anniversary, thank you for standing proudly with us.”

To show its appreciation of the original 82 exhibitors who have stayed with the SHOT Show for 30 years, NSSF is going to recognize them with a specially commissioned piece of art.

“We have an artist who is designing a 30th anniversary poster, which will be matted and framed and presented to those 82,” Mannuzza said.

Big Shot Dealers A Big Deal

NSSF officials, as they have in recent SHOT Shows, will be honoring the “Big Shots” — those dealers who have attended five of the last eight SHOT Shows.

“We’ve again created the Big Shot lounge, which gives those attendees an opportunity to sit down and relax and network with their fellow Big Shots,” Mannuzza said. “This year, the Big Shots will each have a unique button. We’re finding out from our post-show survey exactly what we thought would happen, that it would take a few years for exhibitors to realize what that Big Shot button means.”

Mannuzza said the commitment these “Big Shots” have shown to their businesses and to the SHOT Show should be recognized.
“We encourage exhibitors to do something special for these committed Big Shots,” Mannuzza said.

New Products, Improved Business

The 2008 SHOT Show’s New Products Showcase will be located in the lobby of Central Hall.
“We’ve never had it there before,” Mannuzza said. “But we needed to take it off the show floor, because we needed the exhibit space. So it will be front and center in the Central Lobby.”

Also in the lobby areas will be all the non-profits and a lot of state agencies.
“It’s a great opportunity for these groups to see their constituencies and a good opportunity for people attending the show to get more information on all these hunting and shooting groups,” Mannuzza said.

This year, the Retail Services Pavilion will once again be located on the show floor. Exhibitors will include insurance companies, store security companies, shipping services, point-of-sale companies and other exhibitors who can help retailers grow and maintain their businesses.

Sharpen Your Business Strategies

Examining new products and meeting with exhibitors aren’t the only positive aspects of the show. Education also is a big draw for dealers who attend the event.

“I believe that every year, the educational components of the SHOT Show are an increasingly valuable part of the show for the retail attendee,” Painter said. “I don’t have to tell any retailer in this country that the challenges are greater every year, and the smarter you are and the more up-to-date you are on the latest retailing strategies and retailing techniques, and what’s hot and what’s not, the better off you’re going to be. The SHOT Show is not just a trade event, it’s also an educational event of real and honest benefit to everyone who comes.”

SHOT Show U

The annual SHOT Show University will be held on Friday, Feb. 1, the day before the show opens. The university, sponsored by the National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR), provides a series of seminars on topics most requested by retailers. The full-day event provides an opportunity to learn from experts and network with fellow retailers, NSSF staff and others. See page 56 for a list of seminars.

“You can register for SHOT Show University on our Web site,” Mannuzza said. “This year, lunch will be provided, so you’ll have a whole day of seminars, but you’ll also be fed. And at the end of the day, there will be a cocktail reception.”

The fee to attend the university is $50 for NAFR members, $75 for non-members. To register for SHOT Show University, visit www.shotshow.org.

Free Educational Seminars

Show attendees who are unable to attend SHOT Show University can take advantage of free seminars during the show. This year, Mannuzza said, five of the seminars are geared to law enforcement, a trend that reflects the increased interest in L.E. at the show.

“Our Law Enforcement section has grown far beyond our greatest expectations,” Mannuzza said. “The seminars for those in law enforcement help them provide justification for attending the show.”

At the 2008 SHOT Show, all the seminars will be held at the same time on Feb. 2, 3 and 4.
“We realize how difficult it is for the buyer to take four days out of his work week to come to the show,” Mannuzza said. “Then, to go to a seminar, you have to leave the show floor and go sit in a classroom. So at this show, we’re doing all the seminars concurrently from 12 noon to 1 p.m. The thinking behind this is everyone is going to stop and have a quick bite for lunch. So, they can grab a sandwich, bring it into the seminar room, have a working seminar, and each day they can choose a different seminar.”

See page 58  for a list of the free seminars.

Prizes Galore At SHOT 2008

The 30th birthday celebration will include a series of daily raffles. Attendees can win a variety of prizes from commemorative decks of cards to firearms and a “Hunt of a Lifetime.”
“There are going to be two raffles,” Mannuzza said. “One is ‘Go for the Gold,’ which is being sponsored by the Outdoor Channel. There will be a very large booth at the rear of the Gold Hall where you have a chance every day to play a free game of Blackjack. The purpose of doing it there is to draw traffic into the Gold Hall.”

“Go For The Gold” is open to anyone attending the show, whether you’re an exhibitor, a buyer or a member of the media.

“You get a chance every day to play a free game of Blackjack,” Mannuzza said. “If you beat the dealer, you win a commemorative 30th anniversary deck of playing cards.” If you beat the dealer at Blackjack, you receive the deck of playing cards and a 30th anniversary camouflage backpack.

“That will be going on throughout the show,” Mannuzza said. “At the end of the show, we’re raffling off a 50-inch high-definition TV, donated by the Outdoor Channel.”

The Last Blast

SHOT Show attendees who stay until the last day of the show, Tuesday, Feb. 5, will have an opportunity to participate in “The Last Blast.” Like the 2006 “Grand Shopping Spree,” this raffle is open only to buyers.

“Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the last day, buyers need to go to the central lobby to have their badge scanned,” Mannuzza said. “Once your badge is scanned, you’re entered; you don’t have to be present to win. Then, at 2 p.m. at the “Go for the Gold” booth in the Gold Hall, we’ll do the drawing.”

Prizes in “The Last Blast” include high-end firearms, $1,500 Leupold scope and a sterling silver Leatherman tool in honor of Leatherman’s 25th anniversary.

“Then there’s a complete 2009 SHOT Show package, which includes hotel, airfare and the State of the Industry Gala,” Mannuzza said. “Some of the firearms are fantastic. They include Brownings and Winchesters and Smith & Wessons. Ruger is giving us a 50th anniversary set of matched revolvers. We also have a Taurus. There’s also an incredible ‘Hunt of a Lifetime.’”

Dealers who are still not sure they should be there on the last day may want to consider “The Last Blast’s” biggest prize.

“The Grand Prize is a Yamaha Rhino 4x4 that’s worth in excess of $13,000,” Mannuzza said, who explained why NSSF is putting so much effort into “The Last Blast.”

“At NSSF, we understand that part of our job is to do our best to keep customers coming to the show and to have qualified buyers on the show floor. Once we have them there, we want to keep them there. So this is part of what we’re doing to drive traffic to the entire show,” Mannuzza said.

Getting The Most From The Show

To better serve the show’s exhibitors, the NSSF has created a CD titled “Secrets to a Successful SHOT Show.” The idea, Mannuzza said, is to help exhibitors make the most of visits by retailers. Contact NSSF at (203) 426-1320 to request a copy.

“Plus, our management company, Reed Exhibition, puts on free exhibitor seminars all over the country,” she said. “It’s a one-day course that’s free. Exhibitors come in and learn about pre-show and post-show marketing, and what you can do at the show. They also have some educational ‘Webinars’ and CDs.”

Not only is this important for first-time exhibitors, Mannuzza said, it’s equally important for exhibitors who have been to the SHOT Show many times.

“We’re in partnership with our exhibitors, and we want to be sure that they reach out to their key buyers with proper marketing tools to get them to come to the show,” she said. “How they do that has changed as technology has changed, and there’s a tremendous amount of information available for exhibitors and attendees alike.”

For instance, the SHOT Show Blast, an e-mail newsletter that reaches about 60,000 people, is a valuable NSSF tool that provides important SHOT Show news in advance of the show. To receive SHOT Show Blast, visit www.shotshow.org.

Register For SHOT 2008

The registration procedure for those attending the show also has changed.

“We have been tracking our registration for the past two years, and more than 90 percent of our attendees register online now,” Mannuzza said. “Very few people register on the phone or by paper any more. We all understand that we’re in the 21st Century and that we’re using 21st Century technology to help grow and maintain our businesses.”

Free SHOT Show Seminars

Feb. 2, 3, 4, 2008
All seminars will run for three days, Feb. 2, 3, 4, from noon to 1 p.m., except the AFT/FBI-NICS panel discussion and the Firearms & Ammunition Excise Tax Seminar.

Saturday, Feb. 2
ATF/FBI-NICS Issues and Answers • Room N210 • 2-4 p.m.
A panel of experts from the ATF and FBI-NICS will present the latest changes in laws and regulations. Bring your questions.

Sunday, Feb. 3
Firearms & Ammunition Excise Tax Seminar (FAET) • Room N211 • 8 a.m.-noon
Presented by Glock, Tax & Trade Bureau and NSSF
The seminar is an opportunity for firearms and ammunition manufacturers, producers and importers to ask questions and receive information on FAET issues. Changes in FAET 2007 law and regulations will be a hot topic. An extensive information packet will be provided for each participant.

Daily Seminars • Noon to 1 p.m.

Firearms Dealer Lawsuits and Liabilities • Room N217
Attorneys Chuck Michel and John Renzulli will discuss recent lawsuits against firearms dealers, along with “How to protect yourself if Mayor Bloomberg sues you!”

Web Sites: Don’t Get Stuck In The Web • Room N218
Kevin Hanley, Web designer and programmer, will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of putting your business on the web, outsourcing vs. in-house design or redesign of your site, along with costs involved.

Confessions of a Media Rep!!
Presented by Shot Business magazine • Room N219
Industry veteran Bill Kendy will discuss what to look for when buying media, radio, TV, print, directory, direct mail and billboard. Also the five common media buying mistakes and the Law of 3s.

ATF/FBI-NICS • Room N220
ATF’s John Badowski will show a short video, discuss and answer your questions on Straw Purchases. FBI-NICS Marc Chamberlain will present a NICS overview along with discussions on E-Check and the Voluntary Appeals File.


Firearms License Revocations and Non-Renewal • Room N221
(Must have an FFL to attend)
Experts Richard Gardner and retired ATF Deputy Assistant Director Wally Nelson will discuss how to protect yourself and your business from an FFL license revocation or non-renewal.

Less Lethal Aerosol Advancements • Room N222
David Nance, Security Equipment Corp., will discuss various aspects of law enforcement aerosol advancements including: Target Acquisition Conformation, UV Marking Dye, Proper Deployment Techniques, New Decontamination Advancements, New Products for Crowd Control and much more.

The Hindi Duty Belt S.A.F.E.T.Y. System •  Room N223
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Robert Hindi, with over 20 years on the force, will talk about duty belt equipment placement and positioning. He will challenge the traditional mindset of putting equipment wherever it fits.

Alternative Small Arms Aiming Devices • Room N224
Wes Doss, an internationally recognized weapons and tactics instructor, will discuss a detailed exploration of alternate and laser-sighting devices, their application in training, dynamic real-world situations and their viability to law enforcement customers.

Surviving Combat Inside the Kill Zone • Room N225
Ernest R. Emerson, well-known tactical trainer and lecturer, will be presenting a seminar on survival combat inside the “Kill Zone” and developing training protocols to enhance survival against deadly attack.

Ammunition Selection for Patrol and Tactical Operations • Room N226
Cpl. Ed Sanow, of both Law and Order Magazine and Tactical Response Magazine, will discuss how to select the most effective handgun ammo for patrol use, the most effective loads by caliber, the background behind “tactical” rifle and handgun ammo, and how to select the most glass- and metal-tolerant ammo for tactical operations.

SHOT Show 2008 Hours
Saturday, Feb. 2 • 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 3 • 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 4 • 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 5 • 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

SHOT Show Owner and Sponsor
National Shooting Sports Foundation
11 Mile Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 426-1320
Fax: (203) 426-1087
www.nssf.org        

SHOT Show Producer and Manager
Reed Exhibitions
383 Main Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
1-888-334-8720
Fax: (203) 840-9600
E-mail: inquiry@shot.reedexpo.com
www.shotshow.org

SHOT Show Exhibitor Service Center
1-888-334-8720
(203) 840-5600
Fax: (203) 840-9600
E-mail: inquiry@shot.reedexpo.com

SHOT Show Booth Space Contacts
Dave Jeanette
Sales Manager
1-800-910-4671
(603) 626-4671
Fax: (603) 626-4672
E-mail: djeanette@reedexpo.com

Judy Maguire
Sales Executive
(203) 840-5492
Fax: (203) 840-9492
E-mail: jmaguire@reedexpo.com

SHOT Show Hotel Registration
www.shotshow.org

SHOT Show Location
Las Vegas Convention Center
3150 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109-9096
(702) 892-0711
www.lvcva.com

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors’ Authority
3150 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 892-0711
Toll-Free: 1-877-847-4858
www.lvcva.com

Cab Companies
A-North Las Vegas Cab, (702) 643-1041
ABC Cab, (702) 736-8444
Checker Cab, (702) 873-2000
Nellis Cab, (702) 248-1111
Star Cab, (702) 873-2000
Yellow Cab (702) 873-2000

Future SHOT Shows
January 15 - 18, 2009
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL 32819