The SHOT Show staying in Las Vegas through 2018 just works. If anyone who has an interest in guns can wrangle themselves a ticket to the show, I recommend they do so. The show is for the industry only, but vendors and retailers often need help setting up displays or canvassing the show. It’s simply too big for one person to cover with any amount of rigor in four short days. From an NSSF email:
SHOT Show® to Stay at Sands Expo through 2018
LAS VEGAS — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) followed up its recently concluded, record-setting Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade ShowTM (SHOT Show®) by adding another year to its agreement with Sands Expo in Las Vegas.
Under the new terms, NSSF will put on the SHOT Show at Sands Expo through 2018.
The 2014 SHOT Show, which ran Jan. 14-17, attracted more than 67,000 in total attendance, an all-time high, and was the fifth consecutive SHOT Show held at Sands Expo. NSSF had previously extended its stay at the venue for three years through 2017.
SHOT Show is the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas and the largest trade show of its kind in the world.
“Sands Expo has spent millions of dollars evolving the venue in order to meet SHOT Show’s needs and to make our attendees feel welcome,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We’ve been pleased with the improvements, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to build on our success here in Las Vegas.”
“Everyone at Sands Expo enjoys having SHOT Show in the building. The team is wonderful to work with, and it’s exciting to know that we’ve played a role in helping them grow,” said Ashlyn LaPorte, Sands Expo Executive Director of Event Management. “We look forward to continuing this relationship, and can’t wait to see what records will be broken in subsequent years.”
Sands Expo recently completed a $37 million renovation that significantly upgraded its facilities, including redesigning and remodeling the lobby and adding escalators, new carpeting, Wi-Fi hotspots, food outlets, digital signage and other amenities that have enhanced trade-show experiences for exhibitors and attendees.
The SHOT Show generates more than $73 million for the Las Vegas economy.
-30-About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 10,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.
I have attended a few times and always found the show worthwhile.
Dean Weingarten, GunWatch
I had a pass this year, but couldn’t make it! 2015 though, 2015.
I fully intend to bribe the owner of my LGS into getting me a pass.
So where stuck with our biggest community event being held in a functional firearm free zone.
You’re referring to the convention center?
Well yes I was under the impression it was their gfz policy that forced the show to ban functional firearms.
No, I think all firearms have to be nonfunctional just for reasons of safety. I’m pretty sure if the NSSF changed their policy, the Sands might whine a little, but they’d ultimately let it go on.
<Ahem>
You really should get that looked at 🙂
I couldn’t get SHOT Show credentials because I don’t publish under my full name.
O. Henry and Mark Twain were also banned.
I heard. Sorry about that, man. They could have used you.
Well then I’d be in business if I blogged.
Would people who helped with setup have a chance to poke around during the main event? I’d love to fly out and volunteer if that got me a de facto ticket.
With the size of the SHOT show, there are few other viable cities in the US to host that many people. Some of the convention centers and hotel facilities that are large enough to host 67K people are in decidedly anti-gun cities like Chicago and DC.
A few years ago it was here in Orlando. They’ve expanded the convention center since then, but it’s still not going to hold a candle to Vegas.
SHOT in Chicago? My dream … a nightmare to most of my friends. I guess visiting the NRA convention in Indy will have to suffice. Beyond Las Vegas and Orlando, New Orleans would be a viable and realistic option.
Austin, TX. Do it.
I recall my first visit~ post 9-11~ MeriKah, ukk, yeah!
Lord how things change under Obamba
Hurts the soul
Why do I keep getting bounced to idiot 2nd/3rd level vid adds for Teenage Body Spray?
thx Dean. Good reporting.
You are welcome. Dan did some good editing as well.