One of the favorite lies of the anti-rights cultists (at least when they are not whinging about the NRA being all-powerful – consistency is not their strong suit) is that the firearm industry is dying/drying up/collapsing/shrinking/etc.
If that were actually the case, I wonder what the explanation would be for the SHOT Show having to limit attendance to only firearm- and shooting-related companies, on the basis that there are too many up-and-comers who need the exposure:
Many of the most iconic brands in our industry started out small and likely would have occupied a 10×10 booth at the SHOT Show were they starting out today. Companies like Browning, Colt, Glock, Hornady, Remington, Ruger and Smith & Wesson started out as small one- or two-person operations. Who knows which of these 300 companies will become the next industry leader given the time and opportunity to grow their business.
To that end, we will begin the process of repurposing he SHOT Show beginning with the 2013 edition. That means that we will focus our exhibit floor on those companies that are involved in our core business — shooting, hunting, outdoor and tactical. Those exhibitors that do not represent core shooting, hunting, outdoor and tactical product segments will be informed that they will not be invited to exhibit in 2013. Letters will be going out to those companies affected beginning in September 2011, and should those companies choose not to exhibit in 2012 as a result, we will offer them a full refund, which is contrary to the terms of their 2012 contract, but only fair under the circumstances.
If the firearm industry were collapsing (which it obviously is not), then why would the SHOT Show organizers need to start barring the not-really-firearm-related companies from attending, and why would they be making room for the newcomers to the industry?
Obviously "gun control" supporters do not have a terribly firm grasp on reality, but that almost goes without saying.
Firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, hunting gear, training equipment, targets, and all the rest of those associated things are all growth industries at the moment, ironically due, in part, to the hysterical attempts at legislating them out of existence. Regardless, it is definitely good to see the SHOT Show realigning itself to better showcase its core purpose… I really do need to figure out a way to get out there sometime.
I believe that SHOT is receptive to issuing a media pass to bloggers. I’m not 100% sure on that, but it is worth checking.
I also believe they allow C&R FFL holders to attend. Considering that a C&R only costs $30 there’s a way in right there.
Also, if you do publish anything industry related in a “traditional” magazine, you can use that to get media creds. As far as I know, just one legit article is enough to show you are working to cover the industry.
(Btw, good to meet you at the Lucky Gunner dinner. Sorry I didn’t see you more as it was a nice conversation, but I understand)
Rob Reed
Michigan Firearms Examiner
Big reason SHOT show is limiting exhibitors is because we’re (not SHOT show “we”, industry “we”) stuck at the SANDS. The facility is simply too small, heck, they even asked the big space folks to cut back for 2012. It’s on two floors (the bottom is the old parking garage with 13 foot ceilings) and tough to get around in/find booths. One of our new products guys missed several meetings in 2010 because he couldn’t find the booths. I asked for double the space we had in an attempt to get upstairs. Not available. Told me that if we were at the Convention Center or Orlando (my preferred hall), no problem, at the SANDS, no way. Don’t know who they’re kicking out, the deep fryers and pocket knives from India? Poor new folks stuck in ballrooms off the main floor in the basement got zip for traffic. Love the show, hate the Sands. Don’t gamble or rent hookers so I’m happy with a big open hall with everything on one floor like Orlando. SHOT is something like 8th to 10th on the list of big shows so they don’t have the pull to get the dates they’d like at the convention center.
@ Rob Reed: For me, the problem is less getting in the door, and more getting to it – as in paying for the flights and accomodations, and finding the time to take off. One of these years… Thanks for the pointers, though
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It was likewise good to meet you as well… Maybe we will run into one another at future events
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@ larry weeks: I totally agree that the venue could use with some significant changes, either modifications to the actual facility, or changing to an entirely different one, but even assuming it to be a constant, having to limit attendance inherently indicates that the industry is growing past where it was before, since you were not having to limit previously.
Which kind of shows the lie of the whole “the gun industry is dying” argument
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I haven’t been to a SHOT show, and not liking people/crowds would probably not go anyway—BUT
It seems like a perfect opportunity for someone who knows their way around conventions to get in on the ground floor of a complimentary show… the Firing booth show?
The Ammo-Babe show?
The spotting scope show?
Also if the gun industry is dying, why are the anti-right cultists constantly bitching about large charitable donations given by various gun and gun-related companies giving to NRA.
Right now I have a LOT of projects I’m working on so ALL my discretionary cash, likely into 2012 is spoken for, so when NRA and SAF send me donation requests I have to deny them. They’re good people and I will again donate to them, but right now my $$$ is spoken for.
I can imagine that these companies are the same way. If they were worried that the bubble was bursting, wouldn’t they be hording their monies so they can survive lean times?
Yeah…
Linoge,
I’m planning to attend SHOT again in 2012. You’re on your own for getting there, but if you want to split a hotel room to save money, I’d be for that.
Think about it and contact me closer to the registration date for the 2012 show.
Rob Reed
reedrob1 at hotmail.com
@ Kurt P: To take in the people that SHOT Show is turning away? If it is anything like the average gun show, I would wager those folks already have a venue at your local convention center…
@ Weer’d Beard: There you go again, attempting to apply logical, rational thought to a crossection of the American people who simply have no concept of it… They are guided by their emotions, whatever they may be from one moment to the next, and they are probably incapable of noticing when those emotions run contrary to one another. Guy Cabot (JadeGold) used to be the prime example of this, where one day he would decry the “iron grip” the NRA has on Congress, while the next day he would be trying to paint the NRA as a “paper tiger”…
@ Rob Reed: Thanks for the offer! I will definitely think on it
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