Halfway Point To SHOT
Valerii Evlakhov / Adobe Stock
Ready or not, we’re approaching the halfway point in between SHOT Shows later this month — SHOT Show 2024 will be here before we know it.
During the summer months, I don’t often find myself thinking about SHOT, but it’s a little different this year after I was invited to speak last month at SHOT CX on a panel with NSSF’s Chris Dolnack and dealers Richard Sprague (Sprague’s Sports) and Jimmy Hyman (Green Top Sporting Goods).
Being in Vegas in mid-July and not in a suit/tie, I have to say: it felt a little odd walking the halls of the Venetian Expo in relative silence, compared to the hustle and bustle during SHOT week. It was, however, fantastic to take in the perspectives of first-time exhibitors and hear insights from renowned trade show strategy specialist Robyn Davis and NSSF Director of Social Media Justin Morrissey.
One of the key points emphasized throughout the two-day event: the work for a successful SHOT Show starts months in advance. Most of you reading this are already well aware of what it takes to succeed in this industry, but it’s a good reminder to always be looking ahead.
On the editorial side of the house, we’ll soon be publishing 2024 editorial calendars for American Handgunner, GUNS Magazine and Shooting Industry. With 2024 on the distant horizon, now is the perfect time to evaluate your brand’s status: What new products or programs are you going to be promoting next year? How can you work with media partners like FMG to further broadcast your message to consumers or a B2B audience? What are your goals for the rest of the year? How do you plan to stand out from the crowd?
Shooting Industry’s three-part 2024 New Product Showcase — published in the Dec. 2023, Jan. 2024 and Feb. 2024 issues — will be ramping up soon, and is an ideal platform to get your product introductions in front of dealers before the hectic early show season starts in January.
The clock’s ticking …
If you have thoughts on what it’s going to take to be successful moving forward, send me a note anytime: jade.moldae@fmghq.com.
