The SHOT Show is weird this year

[Woofie]

Lots of no-shows. Ruger, Savage, Hodgdon, many companies who were major exhibitors have wayyyyy smaller footprints or empty space this year.
The knife companies have bigger stands than many major companies. I gather a lot of the major companies elected not to show, although it looks as if they paid for floor space. Some smaller exhibitors have signs up saying COVID in their employees disrupted their plans.
I understand saving money, especially if companies learned no show last year didn't hurt them. I personally think it's a bit shabby, honestly.
So far not much has impressed me, two companies so far, one chassis, one optics in a narrow spectrum of their optics.
Not done with Caesar's Forum yet, half to go, then tomporrow we are hitting downstairs where the small exhibitors are, and it's my favorite spot in the show.
Cost a lot to get here and so far, it's a pale imitation of prior years even it's still a great boyz trip, and business too, of course. Looking for new brands.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I talked to some that have only a bare minimum of people here because of covid. It is spread out more than before. Hard to tell the size of the crowd because of that. From what I can tell not much r&d has been going on the last couple of years because of covid and just being too busy building what they are selling. Leupolds custom shop was lost when they spread out the production floor because of covid. There is still lots to look at and miles to walk.

 

[jk80]

You think maybe they don't want to field a bunch of pointed questions about what the heck is going on? If you see Jason tell him we don't need anymore videos, just ammo and components! Lol.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Covid is a good excuse for anything. Truth is it costs a ton of money to get there. As crazy as liberal ran states are they coulda shut that down 2 days before because of natural virus progression and the scare tactics that go along with it. Imagine ruger spending $100k and as they pull into vegas it gets shut down. Its not like they need the sales. Ruger bringing out the new marlin a few weeks ago online shoulda gave us a hint the big players wasnt planning on being there

 

[Brians356]

I participated in yuuuge industry trade shows over many years, in Las Vegas and Amsterdam. I never saw the sales resulting which could justify the expense and organizational disruption of fielding a booth. The mantra was always "Everyone else will be there, we can't not be there." But one year in a down economy several of the Big Dogs opted out, and got people to step back to reevaluate the equation. Turns out we didn't have to be there.
-

 

[KMart]

I talked to the folks at Protektor yesterday. The lady told me that their team was there but had endured about 2 days of cancelled flights trying to get there. And they may go through the same travel pain to get home.
Sometimes the effort to get there and back, isn't worth the BS. And, as stated above, you save a bunch of money.

 

[3Sigma]

Covid is a good excuse for anything. Truth is it costs a ton of money to get there. As crazy as liberal ran states are they coulda shut that down 2 days before because of natural virus progression and the scare tactics that go along with it. Imagine ruger spending $100k and as they pull into vegas it gets shut down. Its not like they need the sales. Ruger bringing out the new marlin a few weeks ago online shoulda gave us a hint the big players wasnt planning on being there

Even without COVID as an excuse, these huge trade shows are very expensive. Imagine spending $500k on the booth alone, then flying, feeding, and boaring the 30 folks to man it... for no real measurable gain. Marketing Department directors are soon going to have to face the music on these expenditures.

These types of events are going away. Maybe not next year, but in 15 or 20 they will not exist. This isn't just shooting and outdoors either... same with CES, Auto shows (OEM driven like Detroit or Frankfurt), etc.

 

[unclefish]

Maybe they all stayed home to make us some reloading supplies....LOL

 

[DaveTooley]

Our world has changed forever. The change has been coming but Covid forced an immediate change. I'm not sure it's a bad thing but it is different. This is the first show I've missed in probably 25 years. It's been more of a social get together for me the last few years. I'm taking the money and buying plane tickets to France for my wife and myself.

 

[DaveTooley]

I was speaking with an industry friend yesterday and he said it was like the Fridays at previous shows. I told him I would miss the 5 minutes of excitement as I walked to the show but not the pain that followed.

 

[MOTORSPORTS55]

If it’s like many other events it’ll never be the same .

 

[hogpatrol]

Hearing the same on the SCI venue. ROI isn't there. It'll be interesting to see how the Harrisburg outdoor show shakes out.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

We are in an uncertain market at this time. Inflation is rising and no one knows when it will stop. Retailers can't predict what a product will cost six months from now. Much of what is contracted for at these shows are for future delivery.

 

[PopCharlie]

I was in the high tech industry for almost 40 years. The trade shows in my industry have been boondoggles for the sales folks forever. Getting ready for the show was A LOT of work for the IT (me) and sales support staff. The ROI was $0. It was just a big party for sales folks. The last company I worked for stopped going to the shows because of no ROI.

PopCharlie

 

[DaveTooley]

We are in an uncertain market at this time. Inflation is rising and no one knows when it will stop. Retailers can't predict what a product will cost six months from now. Much of what is contracted for at these shows are for future delivery.

They don't write orders there. Orders for 2022 in normal years were placed 4-6 months ago. The few sporting goods distributors there may snag a new dealer or two.
It's a very big, very expensive meet and greet.
We need to figure out how to keep the NSSF solvent. They are the industry's voice.

 

[Joe Maisto]

Our world has changed forever. The change has been coming but Covid forced an immediate change. I'm not sure it's a bad thing but it is different. This is the first show I've missed in probably 25 years. It's been more of a social get together for me the last few years. I'm taking the money and buying plane tickets to France for my wife and myself.

If you get to France and run into "Carlos"...say hello for me.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I believe the NSSF is a better place to send your dollars than the NRA.

 

[DaveTooley]

If you get to France and run into "Carlos"...say hello for me.

I will. Does he hang out in Nice?

 

[lb-ft]

Covid is definitely wearing on everyone. Hopefully “everyone” includes voters, too. And hopefully these voters will have discernment here in a few months. And hopefully they’ll vote.

 

[redrockranger]

Remember it is not a biological weapon .