Nothing brings it all together like the largest outdoor trade show in the world.
The 2018 SHOT Show is almost certainly going to outdo itself.
It does so every year, really. More people come, more people pay attention to what happens, and more shooting sport companies are making an impact on the industry thanks to SHOT Show's spotlight factor.
It truly is the center of the gun world, at least for the better part of the week.
Why does it serve as the epicenter? What actually happens? Here are some of the main points why SHOT Show is the annual showcase for the best of the best in guns.
1. They're all here
If you can think of a gun company, odds are they'll be at SHOT Show. And not only will the have a presence, they'll have a BIG presence, for the most part.
Booths that belong to the biggest names (think Glock, Smith & Wesson, Savage, Remington) often have the biggest size, largest crowds, and most attention.
2. Now's the time
Even though hunting season is wrapped up for the most part, right now is the time to release new guns to the market. Whether they're hunting-oriented or not, guns often use SHOT Show as the deadline for new launches, unveilings, and debuts.
For example, Savage Arms is using this year's SHOT Show to showcase their newest MSR 15 designed around the 224 Valkyrie round that Federal Premium Ammunition is releasing. SHOT Show serves as the stage, and the guns will get in front of the eyes and into the hands of dealers, media members, and enthusiasts for the whole week.
That way, folks who want to see potential inventory for their guns shops or other establishments can use the advanced notice, and have things in time for the next hunting (and holiday shopping) season.
Not that companies that aren't making huge releases don't use SHOT Show to their advantage as well. It's a chance to mingle with the shooting sports community, find out what other companies are doing, and see the next big trends that will make an impact on the market.
3. The setting's right
Las Vegas, and specifically the Sands Expo Center, is big enough to hold the amount of people and buzz SHOT Show earns every year. The showroom floor, thought seemingly endless, can barely accommodate the ever-growing waiting list of even more companies that want to take part.
The Expo Center has space for the multitude of seminars and meetings that go on as well. Gun range owners, shop managers, law enforcement officers, and retailers of all kinds have the opportunity to learn a lot from the industry's experts. They can then take what they've gathered back to their home jobs, and be better off for it.
Plus, it's a fun city to be in, with plenty of hotels, food, and entertainment. It's tough to think of a venue that would be as welcoming and catered towards such a large scale event.
There will be plenty happening during the 2018 SHOT Show, and it will be gun-dominate for good reason. For those lucky enough to attend, it's pretty clear that if anything happens in the firearms industry, you'll know about it.
Our SHOT Show 2018 coverage is brought to you in partnership with Federal Premium Ammunition, and will continue during and after the Show, which takes place January 23-26, 2018. Check out our full coverage, including plenty of news and unveilings from Federal Premium, as well as other shooting and outdoor brands, as it happens.
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