SHOT Show a Huge Success!

The SHOT Show has come and gone, and the industry seems to be much the better for it.
For those of you that don't know, the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade show is held annually. This year it was in Orlando and in 2010 it will be in Las Vegas.

It's a HUGE show! 22,000 exhibitors!
Of course you are supposed to be 'in the business' to gain entry, but if you know a person with a FFL or are good friends with a manufacturer or a gun shop owner you can get them to provide credentials for you.

If you love the outdoors and the shooting sports, it's certainly worth going at least once in your life!

SHOT Show Signals Positive Start for Firearms Industry in 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Buyers, exhibitors and media from around the globe flocked to Orlando for the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry's largest trade show, the National Shooting Sports Foundation's SHOT Show.

Though many trade shows have seen a decline in attendance, SHOT Show attendance remained strong this year, rising 3 percent when compared to its last visit to Orlando in 2007. According to preliminary figures, this year's show attracted 25,384 attendees, 22,098 exhibiting personnel and a record 1,425 members of the media for a total attendance of 48,907.

"This has been a tremendously successful show from a number of standpoints," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. "Exhibitors and buyers were very upbeat, the products sold well, and I'd say the industry begins 2009 with a sense of cautious optimism in this challenging economy."

The show, held Jan. 15-18 at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center, comprised 715,000 square feet of exhibit space, with 1,800 exhibiting companies.

Business was brisk on the floor throughout the show, according to exhibiting companies and retailers.

"It's been a good show, and, in fact, it's been above my expectations," said Phil Murray of Houston-based clay target maker White Flyer. "It's really exciting to see so many people being so positive about the industry. It is very encouraging for the rest of the year."

Not only was total attendance up from the last Orlando show, but the number of buyers increased 5 percent.

"Our meeting rooms were booked, and the quality of the buyers at the show was very good. We saw good volume in our law enforcement booths, and we're very pleased with the media turnout," said Al Russo of Remington Arms Co.

First-time buyers were impressed with the new products and the size of the show.
"I came to see what was new, and I absolutely have," said Bruno Leone, salesman at Aflaherty's Outdoor Store in Toronto, Canada. "I have been impressed with the new camo patterns and with some of the innovation in rifles that I have seen. I never was at a SHOT Show before, and I am awed by the size of the show and the number of people in attendance. The concentrated energy of the industry is exciting to witness."

I found some video presentations over at AR15.Com of some of the products released at the show:

LEWIS MACHINE & TOOL


SAMPSON


BUSHMASTER


MAGPUL


The folks at AR15.Com did a great job covering the show. Be sure to visit their site and join the gang!

Also, I found this site by Ken Lunde. Here
It's quite an extensive review of the show and very interesting. Be sure to let Ken know how much you enjoyed his site.

And be sure to join the National Shooting Sports Foundation... Here

And take a kid shooting!