The 2007 SHOT Show, held in Orlando on January 11-14, was the largest in the shows 29 year history, attracting a record attendance of 42,216. Preliminary post show statistics reveal 20,390 buyers, 19,990 exhibitor personnel, 1,342 members of the press, and 494 guests visited the Orlando Convention Center. More than 1,800 industry professionals attended the show's annual State of the Industry dinner.
According to research commissioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, owner and sponsor of the SHOT Show, forty million Americans participate in shooting sports and hunting. During their lifetimes, the total retail value of their recreational activities is projected to top $4 trillion. The research found the average lifetime expenditure for firearms, ammunition, and other gear totals $20,219 per person. Adding purchases for licenses and lodging, food and fuel, magazines, membership dues and contributions, and other associated items, the average lifetime total rises to $109,568 per person.
The SHOT Show presented 1,870 exhibiting companies to retailers who serve hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts. Exhibitors were organized into Firearms & Ammunition, General Shooting & Hunting, Outdoor Wear, Paintball, Outfitters & Taxidermy, and Law Enforcement/Tactical product areas. Launched in 1999, the Law Enforcement section of the show has grown from 7,000 square feet of exhibit space to 100,000 in 2007. The Outfitters Post section was added four years ago to address a growing interest in adventure travel, outfitting operations, and wilderness lodging.
The SHOT Show covered 656,000 square feet, an increase of 40,000 over the 2006 event. The list of distributing companies included some of the oldest brands in outdoor recreation. Leupold, a manufacturer of optics such as binoculars, spotting scopes, and rifle scopes for hunters, birders, and law enforcement celebrated its 100th anniversary.
During the show, the Outdoor Channel received the National Shooting Sports Foundations annual Achievement Award. The NSSF recognized the Outdoor Channel for its long running and award-winning hunting and shooting television programming.
In collaboration with the Professional Outdoor Media Association, the NSSF presented J. Wayne Fears with the POMA/NSSF Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator of the Year Award. First awarded in 2005, the award recognizes communicators involved in firearms, shooting sports, and Second Amendment issues.
The annual award was developed in 2005 in honor of legendary outdoor communicator Grits Gresham. It recognizes communicators within the firearms/shooting sports/Second Amendment arena who grasp the ideals, foster the commitment, and display the talent Gresham has shown during his storied career.
Noting the importance of outdoor recreation and gun ownership in national elections, Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts and an announced 2008 presidential candidate, toured the show.
One of the top 30 trade shows in the United States, SHOT Show organizers estimate the event generates more than $45 million in revenue for the Orlando area. Tradeshow Week magazine named the SHOT Show one of its “Fastest 50” in terms of growth.
The 2008 SHOT Show will again be held in Las Vegas. Exhibitors have already reserved 654,000 of floor space.
