SHOT Show 2022 Impressions
Smaller crowds at SHOT Show 2022 facilitated better quality time. Time will tell if that’s better
for long-term business, but it was a nice change of pace from previous frenzied years.
In a SHOT Show unlike any other — staged without the likes of Ruger, SIG SAUER, Springfield Armory, Beretta, Benelli USA, Colt, CZ-USA, Davidson’s, Zanders and several other major players in the manufacturing and distribution space — SHOT Show 2022 admirably provided a venue for in-person business to resume in these post-COVID days.
Yes, crowds were noticeably down from a “normal” year, but increased space and exhibitors — 800,000 net sq. ft. and 2,400+ exhibiting companies — ensured the Supplier Showcase, Venetian Expo and new Caesars Forum were spaced out for attendees to walk the aisles at their leisure and discover new prospective business partners.
Here are some initial impressions we had from SHOT Show 2022, with full coverage of the industry’s largest trade event to come soon:
The Supplier Showcase, held Monday and Tuesday during SHOT Show week, was
well attended. On Monday, in particular, exhibitors noted they were pleasantly
surprised with the traffic, though it was down from 2020 levels.
Despite being inundated with orders over the past two years, exhibitors like
Aimpoint demonstrated a willingness to welcome new dealers.
Empty booths were repurposed as meeting spaces throughout the show, giving
attendees ample opportunity to sit down with prospective clients.
On Wednesday, Jan. 19, NSSF hosted a Governor’s Forum with six Republican governors: Gov.
Pete Ricketts (Nebraska), Gov. Kristi Noem (South Dakota), Gov. Asa Hutchinson (Arkansas),
Gov. Brian Kemp (Georgia), Gov. Mark Gordon (Wyoming) and Gov. Mike Dunleavy (Alaska).
As the top elected officials in their states, each of the governors shared how they’re working
to attract industry businesses.
