The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) announced on Friday that the 2021 SHOT Show has been canceled. The annual trade show is the world’s largest gathering of firearm manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and media. Although it is not open to the general public, it has become the annual new-product showcase for the industry and that breaking news is an enthusiast favorite.
Shooting Illustrated invests heavily in time and effort each year to showcase the innovation and remains dedicated to reporting it on our website and in the pages of our magazine. We are already in contact with manufacturers to ensure our team can still provide those early glimpses, despite added challenge.
NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi issued a statement on the cancelation that explained, “NSSF has remained in constant communication with Nevada officials throughout the year in our planning for the 2021 show. While there has been a concerted effort to expand the allowable levels for large gatherings by the county and state, with positivity rates peaking during our key planning period we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 show. Sadly, these spikes are currently transpiring worldwide. Given the sheer complexities, diminishing timeline and immense logistical planning required to conduct a trade show as large as SHOT, NSSF simply could not move forward at this point with so many unknowns and variables.”
More than 50,000 people from across the globe attend the SHOT Show annually. Every major manufacturer has a presence. That international flavor and prospect of renewed international travel bans, or lengthy domestic isolation orders, created a challenge that was likely unsurmountable for the 2021 edition.
The SHOT Show was scheduled for Jan. 19 to 22 in Las Vegas, NV. It was first held in 1979 as a modest single-day event in Saint Louis, MO. It now encompasses nearly a week of tightly packed activities, meetings, seminars, educational sessions and even includes a live-fire range day. Each year it generates roughly $90 million in non-gaming revenue for the Las Vegas economy.
