Welcome to the latest edition of SHOT Show eNews—your chance to keep up to date with the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting, outdoor, and law enforcement industries.
NSSF—The Firearm Industry Trade Association—hosted the first SHOT Show in two years this past January, after missing the 2021 show due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are five things we took away from the show:
1. 2022 was the largest SHOT Show floor plan ever.
With the expansion into the brand-new Caesars Forum, adjacent to the Venetian Expo, the 2022 SHOT Show became the biggest show ever by net square feet. The show encompassed over 800,000 net square feet of exhibit space, surpassing previous totals by over 100,000 square feet. In addition, the Show had more than 2,500 exhibitors—over 300 more than the previous high mark.
2. Buyers will always find a way to the SHOT Show.
Despite being held at the height of Omicron, buyers found their way to the 2022 SHOT Show. The show had 43,000 attendees and 14,000 buyers along with 2,000 media representatives. And despite travel restrictions, more than 100 countries were represented.
3. Caesars Forum was a big hit.
The brand-new Caesars Forum was a hit with exhibitors and attendees. With two carpeted, pillarless 110,000-square-foot ballrooms, there was plenty of room to accommodate even the largest exhibitors. The outdoor Caesars Forum Plaza was also a hit with exhibitors who utilized the new outdoor space. And, when it came time to renew exhibit space during space selection, many exhibitors made Caesars Forum their first choice, and the space is nearly sold out.
4. The NSSF-hosted Happy Hour is here to stay.
NSSF held a surprise cocktail party on the 100,000-square-foot outdoor plaza at Caesars Forum on Tuesday night for exhibitors and attendees, and everyone loved it. Complimentary cocktails were served as a DJ played music while everyone networked and had a great time. Expect this party to return at the next SHOT Show.
5. Exhibitor education was a key to success.
The SHOT Show Exhibitor Academy, hosted in person annually by NSSF, was cancelled in 2021 due to COVID, but that did not stop the SHOT Show from providing top-notch education. NSSF hired professional trade show trainer Robyn Davis to host a series of webinars throughout the year, and they were heavily attended. Show management staff and SHOT Show vendors also hosted webinars on the Show Planner, Lead Retrieval App, and the Exhibitor Resource Center (ERC). Expect the webinars to continue for the 2023 show.
If you are interested in exhibiting at the 2023 SHOT Show, visit SHOTShow.org/Exhibit to sign up. Or, take a look at the current floor plan to see what space is available.
