SHOT Show floor photo above courtesy of NSSF.
The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, which ended last Friday, set an all-time high for the number of companies exhibiting—2,400. Fifty-eight thousand buyers, suppliers, media and other industry professionals navigated this year’s 12.5 miles of aisles during the four-day gathering, witnessing and ordering the latest guns, ammo, accessories and outdoor-related gear and services. The firearm industry isn’t the exclusive beneficially of the event, either. Ninety million dollars in non-gaming revenue was generated for the Las Vegas, NV, economy when the crowds arrived.
Floor space is in high demand, and this year—the 10th anniversary of the SHOT Show being held at the Sands Expo Center—a one-day Pop-Up Preview was held to showcase some of the businesses waiting to secure booths. Two hundred and thirty firms took advantage of the offer, and their prospects for marketing their wares next year have improved when the trade show expands from its current 692,000 square feet to include the MGM Grand Conference Center.
Many of the companies also took advantage of Range Day, an event held 24 hours before the exhibit halls officially open that provides a chance to test gear at the Boulder Rifle & Pistol Club. Shooting Illustrated was there and staff members got behind the triggers of a suppressed SIG Sauer SUR300 Upper, Savage Arms MSR-10 Precision, Kel-Tec CP33 and much more. The special event isn’t limited to firearms, either. Accessories were also showcased there, including the Crimson Trace Lasersaddle and many others.
Preparations have already begun for next year’s 42nd SHOT Show, which once again is being held in Las Vegas, NV. The event is not open to the public, although enthusiasts should mark their calendars for Jan. 21-24, 2020, when once again the industry’s latest and greatest will be unveiled—and Shooting Illustrated’s team will be there.
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