Topic: 2008 SHOT SHOW BACK IN VEGAS

[Bill Wheatley]

Early, yes but with my agency you need about a year just so they can disapprove it   Just something to think about, especially with AFTE 2008 Hawaii in the same year.

SHOT Show Blast
Breaking News From The Trade Show That Supports Everything You Stand For
March 29, 2007 Vol. 3 Edition 2 
 
SHOT Show 2008
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nev.
Feb. 2-5
PLAN NOW

An action-packed, people-filled Vegas next February makes early planning critical

When the SHOT Show rolls out the carpet for its miles of aisles in the Las Vegas Convention Center from Feb. 2-5, 2008, the world's greatest entertainment destination will be a VERY busy city.  Four, perhaps five, other major trade shows will be in town, along with tens of thousands of tourists wishing to soak up the excitement of the Super Bowl, Las Vegas style.

What that underscores for the more than 45,000 exhibiting personnel, buyers, media, guests and other industry members who will be attending the SHOT Show is the need to plan ahead.  Airlines, hotels, entertainment, restaurants and rental cars will all be in demand, and making reservations immediately is the best way to ensure your plans.

Need help? Try these services:

Airline, Hotel and Rental Car Reservations: Travel Technologies SHOT Show Travel Desk can book airline, lodging and rental cars.

Restaurant, Show and Activity Recommendations and Information: The Las Vegas Visitor Information Center, telephone 877-847-4858, does not book reservations, but it can dispense information, recommendations and contact information.  It is open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time.  Dining Links and Show & Event Links are available online 24/7.

SATURDAY-TUESDAY: A FIRST?


The Feb. 2-5 dates of the 2008 SHOT Show fall on a Saturday through Tuesday, unusual dates for the SHOT Show. Unusual, yes; unprecedented, no!

The 2002 SHOT Show, also in Las Vegas and, coincidentally, also on Feb. 2-5, presented the Saturday through Tuesday format, which was the first time that pattern was utilized for the SHOT Show.

How did that format affect attendance?

"It was record breaking," reports Jeannette Mannuzza, the National Shooting Sports Foundation's director of operations for the SHOT Show.  "In fact, total attendance increased by more than 20 percent over the previous year."

SHOT SHOW REACHES A MILESTONE

The 2008 edition of the SHOT Show will mark a round-number occasion—the 30th year that the show has been staged.  The first, in St. Louis in 1979, featured 290 exhibiting companies.  Twenty-nine years later, 81 of those companies will be exhibiting at their 30th straight SHOT Show!

IT'S NOT JUST GUNS

Although the SHOT Show is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show is the showcase for products that go well beyond guns, and the gathering of more than 1,300 media members that cover the show includes more than exclusively shooting and hunting press.  Note the "Marine Corps Times" "Find of the Day" at the 2007 SHOT Show in Orlando, as reported in the February 2007 edition of "The AuCoin Report":

"Iran marines discover insect-repellent wristbands"

"Insurgents aren't the only enemies targeting U.S. Troops in Iraq.  Mosquitoes and other blood-hungry insects do their best to distract our soldiers from their mission.  Thus, the 'Marine Corps Times' visiting the SHOT Show in Orlando heralded its discovery of wristbands impregnated with insect repellent as the 'Find of the Day.'  The wristbands are manufactured by BugBand Products of Carterville, Georgia and contain geraniol, a natural bug repellent that is safer to use than DEET.  For 2007 Bug Band said it will be bringing out a 'family pack' of wristbands in a variety of colors."

You never know what discoveries you'll make at the SHOT Show, but chances are that even if they repel pests, most "finds" will attract more business.

SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL SHOT SHOW

As an exhibitor you know that realizing the most from your SHOT Show investment in time, money and personnel does not just happen by luck.  Success occurs by design and planning, and NSSF and the Essex Group have combined to create "Secrets to a Successful SHOT Show," an easy-to-follow, comprehensive guide to maximizing your SHOT Show experience.

The presentation covers: key features for SHOT Show success; SHOT Show planning and preparation; exhibit set-up and breakdown; on the SHOT Show floor—it's show time; and post-show follow-up and planning.

In addition to the online presentation, the program is available on a free CD-ROM from the National Shooting Sports Foundation.  To secure your CD-ROM, contact jgray@nssf.org.