The 44th Annual SHOT Show, held at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum from January 18-21, underwent an expansion that makes this years show its largest venue. Show organizers said more than 2,400 companies would exhibit in the 800,000-square-foot exhibit space. The NSSF is the title sponsor of the Show.
Despite the pandemic, the organizers anticipate that more than 40,000 industry professionals will attend the venue to see target shooting, hunting, outdoor recreation, personal defense, and law enforcement products.
The SHOT Show adheres to Nevada’s mandate that all attendees wear masks to attend the in-person venues and announced the guidelines were in adherence to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
“The SHOT Show is hugely important to our industry and its customers not only because of the products that are unveiled there and purchased by industry buyers but also for the educational and networking opportunities the Show provides,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi. “It’s great to be back in Las Vegas to do business in-person at what will be our largest show ever. As our industry gathers at the SHOT Show, it’s notable that Americans are embracing their right to own firearms by purchasing them at record levels for target shooting, hunting and personal and family security.”
The return of the SHOT Show, which operated virtually last year due to the pandemic, is expected to generate more than $88 million in non-gaming revenue for Las Vegas and Nevada. The $7.1 billion firearm industry in the U.S. supports more than 342,000 jobs. The value of industry businesses will be the topic of discussion at the NSSF-sponsored Governors’ Forum, where governors from several states will speak about the importance of firearm businesses to their economies and their efforts to attract firearm- and ammunition-related companies to locate to Nevada.
NSSF said the demand for exhibit space at this year’s show by firearm industry companies reflects the surge in firearm purchases in the U.S. since the beginning of 2020, totaling an estimated $40 million in firearm sales with more than 11 million of those sales being first-time purchasers, according to federal background check data and NSSF surveys of firearm retailers.
Show highlights include an expanded two-day supplier showcase with more than 500 OEM third-party suppliers meeting with exhibiting manufacturers to discuss their needs for extrusions, fabrication, fabrics, machinery, metal, plastics, software, logistical support, and tools.
The show’s new eXtra Pavilion at Caesars Forum will feature 100 table-top exhibits where show attendees can meet new manufacturers and view their products.
At the Show, the NSSF will announce six inductees to its Hall of Fame during a ceremony, to honor industry leaders for their contributions to the NSSF, the SHOT Show and the U.S. target shooting and hunting industries. Attendees can attend presentations from the SHOT Unversity. The day before SHOT Show opened, Industry Day at the Range showcased 175 exhibitors offering hands-on experience with firearms, ammunition, optics, and vehicles to more than 1,700 invited outdoor media members and buyers.
