Just Around the Corner
SHOT Show 2025 is just around the corner. It’s an industry event you simply cannot miss.
By Slaton L. White
Successful business strategies usually include several interweaving factors. For manufacturers, it would be the ability to bring to market products that consumers wish to purchase; for distribution groups, it’s selecting those products that retailers most wish to stock; and for retailers, it includes hiring a knowledgeable staff that can sell those products at margins that guarantee a store’s profitability.
For nearly half a century there has been premier industry event that helps all the above achieve their goals. The SHOT Show, which first launched in St. Louis in 1979, has, year after year, grown in size and stature. Last year’s edition was the largest SHOT Show ever, marking the second year of expanded exhibit space at Caesars Forum in addition to The Venetian Expo.
“The SHOT Show is the single largest trade show and conference for the shooting, hunting, outdoor, and tactical industry. More than 55,000 industry professionals will have the opportunity to discover new products and new companies, spot new industry trends, and network with their peers,” says NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Chris Dolnack.
Dolnack notes that last year more than 2,500 companies displayed products and services in booths covering more than 816,000 net square feet and attracting attendees from 115 countries and all 50 states. Those attendees packed the 13.9 miles of aisles over four days, eager to view new, innovative products used for target shooting, hunting, outdoor recreation, and law enforcement.
Certainly the vast array of new products on display is one of the prime draws of the show, but the show also offers more—a lot more. NSSF evaluates each show, conducting a post-mortem to determine ways in which the next installment can be improved. This process assures the industry that the SHOT Show stays up to date with current industry trends and can meet the evolving needs of its attendees.
One addition to the show last year was the Archery Pavilion. The initial launch was well received, and the pavilion will be back for the 2025 SHOT Show.
“The Archery Business Pavilion at Caesars Forum continues to grow and with more than 4,500 retail buyers interested in purchasing archery and bowhunting products, the SHOT Show offers archery manufacturers and distributors with an incredibly cost-effective opportunity to increase their sales and brand presence,” says Dolnack.
Another example of how the NSSF continues to upgrade the quality of SHOT show is the Supplier Showcase NSSF instituted a few years ago. It was designed initially to be a one-day dedicated event for suppliers to display their shooting, hunting, and outdoor material supplies off the main trade show floors, but the response by attendees and exhibitors has been so encouraging that it is now a two-day event. This is where industry manufacturers find the materials, systems, and solutions they need to support their supply chains. More than 500 exhibits will be open on Monday, January 22 and Tuesday, January 23.
Dolnack also notes the unparalleled networking opportunities that are such a large part of this four-day event. “The networking opportunities at SHOT Show are unmatched anywhere,” he says. “On Tuesday evening we’re hosting our All-Star Jam featuring three of the most recognizable rock and country artists, on Wednesday we’re hosting an Industry Happy Hour, and on Thursday we’re hosting an Industry Reception so that exhibitors and buyers alike can mingle and network. There is no charge for these events being held in the Caesars Forum Plaza. For those seeking an elevated networking experience, we are also offering SHOT After Dark at some of the hottest nightclubs in Las Vegas that feature a SHOT Show-only VIP section.”
For nearly half a century the SHOT Show has been the premier can'tmiss industry event.
The vast array of new products on display is one of the prime draws of the SHOT Show, and retailers benefit by being able to talk to manufacturers in person.
If you’d like to explore better management practices and new ways to make your retail or shooting range business thrive in the most competitive and regulated marketplaces, there’s no better place to start than right at the SHOT Show. “SHOT University provides industry-specific education to help retailers stay up to date on compliance, security, and operational trends and best practices,” says Dolnack. “Likewise, the Law Enforcement Education Program, in partnership with American COP magazine, provides law enforcement officers with training specific to their respective duties.”
Last year, training courses offered at SHOT University included “A Practical Guide to Using ChatGPT to Make Life Easier & Business Better” as well as “Leveraging Your Point of Sale Solution to Plan for 2024,” “Creating Content for Your Brand,” and “Cybersecurity Threats and Protecting Your Business.”
SHOT University can be found in the Murano Ballroom, Level 3.
Past exhibitors have repeatedly attested to the importance of attending SHOT Show. “SHOT Show is absolutely vital not only to our continued success at XS Sights, but in advocating for the firearms industry and all it stands for,” says Kellie Brunn, co-owner of XS Sights. “SHOT Show connects us directly with our customers, industry partners, and distributors to showcase our latest innovations and gather invaluable feedback. The face-to-face interactions, the opportunity to build intra-industry relationships, and the chance to see firsthand what trends are emerging in the market are irreplaceable. SHOT Show keeps us plugged into the pulse of the industry and helps us stay ahead of the curve. NSSF’s commitment to its members, firearms safety, and advocacy to be a strong voice is critical now more than ever.”
“We appreciate the NSSF’s leadership, and SHOT Show remains essential to the growth of our industry,” says Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “It’s a premier event for connecting with industry leaders, showcasing innovations, and driving the future of shooting sports. We look forward to supporting the industry and engaging with our partners at the next show.”
In other words, SHOT Show is a don’t-miss event.
Unparalleled networking opportunities (both scheduled and unscheduled) are a large part of the four-day event.
Visiting the many booths at SHOT Show allows a retailer to get their hands on many new products in a very short time. Such on-the-fly evaluations can lead to product orders.