Media Registration, Badge Types, Proof of Eligibility
The National Shooting Sports Foundation welcomes outdoor media professionals to cover the SHOT Show, the largest trade show for the shooting, hunting, outdoor and law enforcement industry. There is no registration fee for professional media.
NOTE: Advertising, sales, marketing and public relations representatives are not eligible for media badges and must register as regular show attendees.
Media is subject to all applicable rules and regulations governing general attendance at the SHOT Show. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, owner of the SHOT Show, reserves the right to deny or revoke media member access to this private trade show at any time.
How to Request a Media Badge
There are two ways for media professionals to register for the SHOT Show. Please review the methods below to determine which applies to you.
PRE-APPROVED REGISTRATION — If you have attended a SHOT Show in the last five years and your e-mail address is unchanged, you are considered "Pre-approved Media" and will receive an e-mail with "fast-track" registration information in mid-September. Just follow the directions in that e-mail to register. This is the quickest, easiest way for media to obtain their press credentials. The process includes security measures to ensure authenticity of users. Note that you cannot register using the fast-track method if your company affiliation has changed since you last attended the show. If that is the case, use Website Registration (see below). After submitting your fast-track registration, you will receive an e-mail confirmation. Your media badge will be mailed to you in December. Broadcast and International media must pick up their badges in person at the show (see Broadcast and International Media Badge Pickup section below.)
WEBSITE REGISTRATION — If you have changed the company you work for or changed your e-mail address since last attending the SHOT Show, or you are registering for the first time, follow the instructions under Website Registration Process immediately below.
Website Registration Process
You MUST e-mail your Proof of Eligibility after you submit the electronic media registration form [link]. Before filling out the form, read carefully the sections on "Badge Types" and "Proof of Eligiblity." Selecting the correct badge type (Press, Internet, Broadcast) and providing the correct Proof of Eligibility document, such as a press card or a link to a recent bylined article, will prevent delays in processing your badge. Send your Proof of Eligibility electronically if possible; if a digital version is not available, fax a hard copy to 203-840-9409. When you submit the registration form, you will receive an e-mail confirmation of its receipt. Badges will be mailed to approved media in December, with the exception of Broadcast and International media (see section below). Media members who do not submit proper Proof of Eligibility will not have their credentials approved.
Broadcast & International Media Badge Pickup
Broadcast media and media residing outside the United States must pick up their badges in person at the Media Registration Desk at the SHOT Show. Bring a printout of your e-mailed confirmation (the document with the barcode) for identification purposes and quick scanning.
Media Registration Desk and Press Room
The Media Registration Desk will be located outside the Press Room in the Venetian Hotel, Level 3, Murano Ballroom, adjacent to and adjoining the Sands Expo & Convention Center.
Benefits of Registering Early
If you register before December 17, you will receive your badge in advance by mail (Broadcast and International media excepted). If you register after this date, bring a copy of the e-mailed confirmation containing the barcode to the Media Registration Desk to obtain your badge. By registering early and obtaining your media badge in advance, you can proceed directly to the show floor without wasting time standing in registration lines.
Badge Misplacement
If you receive your badge by mail and forget to bring it to the show, or you misplace your badge at the show, you can request a duplicate badge from staff at the Media Registration Desk. Please remember to bring your badge and to keep it secure at all times. Requesting a replacement badge extends wait times at the Media Registration Desk.
Hard Copy Registration Form
Please use the electronic registration form. If for some reason you need the old-style, hard-copy registration form, call 203-840-5409.
Badge Types (non-transferable)
Press — For individuals covering the show for print or Web editions of print publications. Allows access to the show floor with permission to carry and use still-photo equipment. It is the photographer's responsibility to obtain all necessary permission and releases.
Publisher — The Publisher's badge has been discontinued. Please apply for a Press badge.
Broadcast — For videographers, video crews, audio/radio crews and others covering the show for television, Internet or radio broadcast. Approval is granted at the discretion of the Press Room director. Allows access to the show floor with permission to carry and use video/film or sound recording equipment. It is the broadcaster's responsibility to obtain all necessary permission and releases. Broadcast badges are not mailed in advance of the show. They must be claimed at the Media Registration Desk, Venetian Hotel, Level 3, Murano Ballroom. The broadcast crew leader must sign a SHOT Show agreement form outlining the scope of coverage at the show and pledging professional conduct by the crew in keeping with the business environment of the SHOT Show.
Internet — For bloggers and website publishers reporting on industry-related subjects, including products and activities such as hunting, shooting and law enforcement. If you plan to use video or audio equipment, apply for a Broadcast badge instead (see above).
Proof of Eligibility
Proof of Eligibility ensures that only professional working media attend the SHOT Show and addresses concerns of SHOT Show exhibitors who wish to maintain the business environment at the show. All media registering using the Website Registration Process (see above) MUST provide Proof of Eligibility appropriate to the badge type they have selected. It is requested that Proof of Eligibility documents, such as a press card, be uploaded as digital files, but if you do not have digital versions you may fax a hard copy instead to 203-840-9409.
Press
-- Copy of current individual membership card issued by a bona fide outdoor media association, or
-- Copy of valid press pass issued by a bona fide news organization, or
-- Copy of the most recent issue of a shooting, hunting, outdoor or law enforcement publication that lists your name in an editorial position on the masthead, or
-- Copy of a bylined story published during the last 12 months that indicates you are a staff writer, reporter or regular contributor to a hunting, shooting, outdoor or law enforcement publication, or
-- An original letter of assignment on company letterhead from an editor or publisher of a recognized hunting, shooting, outdoor or law enforcement publication that states you are on specific assignment to cover the show.
Broadcast
-- Copy of current individual membership card issued by a bona fide outdoor media association, or
-- Original letter of intent from a recognized producer of hunting, shooting, outdoor or law enforcement video, film or audio programming. The letter should list the names of all individuals on specific assignment at the show and should describe the nature of the assignment, or
-- Original letter from a 2011 SHOT Show exhibitor with whom you have arranged interviews. The letter, on the exhibitor's official letterhead, must grant permission for you to shoot video of that company's exhibit and/or interview its staff. Permission must be obtained from each exhibitor that you wish to cover.
Important: Unauthorized filming/taping of exhibits, other than those exhibits for which written permission has been granted, will result in the revocation of all media credentials.
NOTE: Some video crews may be escorted by Press Room staff to and from their interview locations on the show floor.
Internet: URL link to website or content that deals with hunting, shooting, firearms, outdoor or law enforcement subject matter and that MUST include the blogger's, writer's or website owner's real name. No aliases!
Media Registration Checklist
Pre-approved Media Registration
-- Done through e-mail notice only.
-- Badges will be mailed in December.
-- Exception: Broadcast and International media badges must be picked up at the Media Registration Desk, Venetian Hotel, Level 3, Murano Ballroom.
Web Site Registration Process
-- Registration deadline to receive badge by mail (Broadcast and International media excepted): December 17.
-- Registrations submitted after December 17:
Bring e-mailed confirmation notice to Media Registration Desk, Venetian Hotel, Level 3, Murano Ballroom.
-- Proof of Eligibility MUST uploaded with electronic form or faxed to 203-840-9409.
Questions? E-mail NSSF's Communications Director or call 203-426-1320.