Access GCA
Here are just a few of the reasons that I think it is beneficial for Gunsmiths to attend the SHOT Show:
First of all, if you are not familiar with the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades Show (SHOT Show), it is a firearms industry trade show that is only open to credentialed members of the firearms and outdoor (hunting and related) industry and the media who cover it.
The show is sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and their tagline for the Trade Show is “It’s a Big Deal”.
And if you have ever attended, you would probably agree. It consists of over 500,000 square feet of Exhibit space with Firearms and Accessory manufacturers showing off their latest offerings.
This show is HUGE! I tell everyone to pack their canteen and lunch just to walk the show. There are over 13.9 miles of aisles (that’s more than a half marathon!). It is the 5th largest Trade Show in Las Vegas, a city that is dedicated to trade shows and separating people from their money.
In this massive space, there are over 2,338 exhibitors with products of all types; ammo, guns, tools, specialty clothing, and every type of device you can think of for storing, securing, improving, enhancing, and shooting guns!
Each year between 40,000 to 60,000 people attend, all of whom are in some way involved with the industry.
This year the show starts on January 17th and continues through January 20th. The American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) and Gunsmithing Club of America (GCA) staff and instructors will be there in our booth #41313 to meet with students, members, and prospective Gunsmithing Students.
Here are just a few of the reasons that a Gunsmith (or FFL Dealer) should take the time to attend:
- See the latest and greatest that our industry has to offer.
- Seek specific solutions to problems that you have experienced. Such as tools that will make Gunsmithing jobs easier to accomplish or products that your customers need.
- Know what types of firearms are hot, and what you might be working on in the future.
- Discover new things that you did not even know existed in our industry. Every day you will see something new!
- Network with other like-minded people and be proud to be in such a dynamic industry.
- Re-energize yourself. We often tend to work in a vacuum, by ourselves, and it is important to connect or reconnect with the firearms industry in a positive environment.
The Firearms industry provides an estimated 342,000 jobs and makes a $63 Billion dollar impact on the economy as a whole.
So yes it is a “Big Deal” and AGI has been attending and exhibiting at SHOT for almost 30 years.
To learn more about SHOT Show visit their website www.ShotShow.org
If you can attend, be sure to stop by and say Hi!
To Firearms, Freedom, and the Power of the Shooting Industry.
May it continue!
Best,
Gene Kelly,
Gunsmith and President,
American Gunsmithing Institute
Gunsmithing Club of America
