The Gold 100 rankings of the largest trade shows that each year—published by Trade Show Executive—named the 2022 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT) eighth largest for that year. Results were published in September and gatherings vying for the title were some goliaths, including the Computer and Electronics Show, Florida RV Show, International Manufacturing Technology Show and others.
Owned and operated by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), SHOT is the annual trade show of the shooting, hunting, outdoor and law enforcement industries. After having to cancel its 2021 gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 SHOT Show featured the event’s largest floorplan ever with 804,000 net square feet of exhibit space. The figure represents a significant increase from the 676,000 net square feet it occupied in 2020.
“The SHOT Show was the only trade show in America to grow by 20-plus percent in 2022, which was quite the feat after having to cancel the 2021 event,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief customer officer. “That’s a testament to the amazing industry we serve, and we’re very thankful for this great honor by Trade Show Executive in recognizing the show’s growth.”
In addition to its exhibit space at The Venetian Expo, the 2022 SHOT Show marked an expansion of the show to Caesars Forum, with the two facilities connected by a footbridge. The increased ed floorplan allowed more companies than ever before to exhibit at the show.
The 2023 show, which took place in January, occupied even more space—816,000 net square feet— and attracted roughly 52,000 attendees. The record attendance took place in 2014 with a crowd estimated at 67,000.
It was 1979 when the SHOT Show began, in St. Louis, MO, with 5,600 on hand. Today it is the third largest trade show held in Las Vegas. The 2024 SHOT Show will return to "Sin City" on January 23 to 26.
