Highlights From My SHOT Show

SHOT Show… Truthfully I am still catching up from the intense week of the NSSF’s Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show. This year it was not only a grueling 5 days plus travel, but I also caught the flu and ended up with bronchitis. It was all worth it though.

SHOT is the kick-off event of the year for all things in the firearms industry. It’s the trade show I look forward to the most and I love the opportunity to connect with dealers, distributors, firearms media, shooter friends and more. It is an industry show, and that means it is not open to the public and this article by Kevin Creighton sums up why.

When I mention that I’m headed to SHOT, it usually elicits one of two reactions. People who work the show as either media or an exhibitor are sympathetic, knowing what’s in store for me that week. People with a more casual relationship with the gun industry think it will be a fun time of flitting from booth to booth, learning about the coolest guns and the latest gadgets.”

Kevin Creighton, Ammoman.com

I spent Thursday of SHOT Show with Kevin in tow. He wanted to capture the pace of the show from someone who works it. I was game. We had a full day starting out at Federal Premium where I spoke with engineers and executives alike about new products, events and my shooting season. From appearances at Smith & Wesson and the Cody Firearms Museum to demos in the Safariland booth, Kevin captured so much of it through his camera lens. The photos complement my memories and I’m always grateful for opportunities like this. Thanks, Kevin!

My days at SHOT are always booked with appearances, meetings and interviews and the evenings are filled with dinners and parties. Choosing just a handful of highlights from the show is hard. I get to meet and reconnect with so many people. If I had to narrow it down, these make the top of my list for #shotshow2020.

5 Highlights From SHOT

Speaking about the +One Movement

Last year NSSF asked if I would speak about their initiative to grow hunting and shooting sports as a keynote for SHOT University. A topic near and dear to me, I immediately said yes. The premise of +One is to get shooters and hunters talking about their sport and extending an invitation to someone who doesn’t experience the outdoors in the same way. Here’s a clip on my #plusonemovement presentation.

I always get a little nervous when speaking to a large group of people, but when it comes to sharing shooting, that bit of discomfort is so worth it. I spoke about the importance of being prepared, patient and encouraging.

Please head over to letsgoshooting.org, letsgohunting.org and nssf.org/plusone for more information and ways you can bring a new shooter or hunter into our community.

All the new things.

There were so many new products at SHOT Show this year! I already had a chance to play with many, like the new M&P 9mm Shield EZ, Performance Center CORE’s and all the new Trijicon optics.

Who doesn’t love more ammo options? Federal Premium also announced a slew of new offerings including even more choices for home and self-defense, a new muzzleloading technology and Terminal Ascent ammunition for hunting.

Women of the Gun Event

The ultimate networking event for women at SHOT, each year Project Childsafe, in partnership with Women’s Outdoor News, hosts the Women of the Gun Event. It’s a wonderful way for me to meet up with my female friends in the industry and learn about the latest from Project Childsafe and the success of this genuine gun safety program.

Sharing SHOT

I know it may sound cheesy, but I do love sharing SHOT Show! In addition to bumping up Kevin’s step count on Thursday, from interviews on SHOT Show TV and Guns & Ammo television to going live on the Cody Firearms Museum’s Instagram feed, it’s so much fun to interact with fellow gun peeps.

This year, I was even given access to the SHOT Show “bat phone” for 2 whole hours! I used up all the battery touring the floor for my Instagram and Facebook stories take over. I hosted a walkthrough of the Smith & Wesson booth on my stories as well. Isn’t it amazing how we can use social media to #shareshooting these days?

Bittersweet Demos

I look forward to demos with Team Safariland throughout the week. They are always fun and sometimes emotional. This year was no exception as we celebrated Scott Carnahan’s retirement. After 40 years of working SHOT Show, Scott knows more about making a career in the gun industry than anyone I know. He’s the kind of executive you love to work for, who not only values hard work and dedication but also the importance of teamwork, friendship, and family. Scott is the reason there is a Team Safariland along with a wealth of Safariland and Bianchi products for competitive shooters. I’m so thankful for him and I can’t think of anyone who deserves a fabulous retirement more.