Hello everyone! I’ve just returned from the 39th annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas, NV.
I previously attended the event in 2015 to cover it for Counter Cultured. Here’s a link to coverage from the last time.
SHOT Show is the foremost firearms trade show in the country. It stands for Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade ShowSM and is hosted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®). Over 65,000 people descended to Sin City to attend the annual event–including 2,500 members of the media (myself included). Though the show isn’t open to the public, consumers will see every new products unveiled during the conference on retailers shelves as the year goes on.
The 2017 #SHOTShow draws nearly 65,000 industry professionals and positive outlook for the firearms industry. https://t.co/UzQLYjUOcL
— SHOT Show (@nssfshotshow) January 21, 2017
Unlike the 2015, there was a NEXT Pavilion section where the 100 top up-and-coming gun brands showcase their latest products. That was a cool feature.
Another highlight of SHOT Show was hearing from Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs at the State of the Industry Dinner. He was a hoot!
.@mikeroweworks takes the stage at the #SHOTShow State of the Industry Dinner. pic.twitter.com/1UTpSLxIsl
— SHOT Show (@nssfshotshow) January 18, 2017
The shooting sports industry has an estimated worth of $6.7 billion. It employs hundreds of thousands of Americans and promotes safety. This past week, Las Vegas reportedly saw $60.2 million in direct visitor spending. Talk about a boost to the economy!
.@nssfshotshow brings an estimated $60.2 million in direct visitor spending. Welcome to 64,500 attendees. #VegasMeansBusiness pic.twitter.com/17Ntx9nA2x
— LVCVA (@LVCVA) January 18, 2017
Below are some photos and videos I took while at SHOT Show:
LIVE from SHOT Show! The Resurgent ReelCamo Girl Counter Cultured Wilderness to Table
Posted by Gabriella Hoffman on Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Yeah! ❤ it when friends find each other at @nssfshotshow ! #ReelCamoGirl Team Members and our friend Jeremiah @Fromfield2plate #shotshow pic.twitter.com/cv6KQhQI16
— ReelCamoGirl™ (@ReelCamoGirl) January 17, 2017
Stop by booth #13656! @NicksWildRide is here now! pic.twitter.com/coEH1ImXtr
— Franchi (@Franchi_USA) January 17, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPbQeAphj7c/
I shall return to SHOT Show 2018 next year. Hope to see you there!
Editor’s Note: As you can see Gabriella had an amazing time at Shot Show this year and if you want to follow her adventures that branch out beyond hunting and shooting I encourage you to check out her personal page: gabriellahoffman.com
I would also like to give a shout out to Mike Rowe for having what so few in the entertainment business seem to possess. Integrity and courage. Mike Rowe was the victim of some deranged woman’s attack on line about his appearance at Shot Show as she waylaid into Rowe about how he is “ruining his good name associating with a bunch of gun nuts.”
Instead of doing what so many famous people do and rattle off an apology and side step the issue trying to distance himself from whatever someone is angry at Rowe stood firm and leaned into it talking about the great people he has met at Shot Show, about the great camaraderie that is engendered in the shooting sports, his connection and friendship with the Seal Family Foundation also at Shot Show, and how often times people are afraid of what they do not understand.
He finished his response as gentlemanly as he began it saying this to the woman:
Obviously, you and I have a difference of opinion regarding the role of the Second Amendment in modern society. But thanks to the first amendment, we can express our differences in whatever way we prefer. We can criticize those with whom we disagree, or we can try to persuade them. We can make a case as to why we believe what we believe, or we can simply announce our disappointment to the world, as though our feelings alone are enough to justify our beliefs.
As for you Marla — you can either stomp off in a cloud of righteous indignation, or you can accompany me to the SHOT Show as my guest, and see what all the fuss is about.
Either way, it’s nice to have choices, don’t you think?
Keeping it classy Mike Rowe, tip of the cap to you sir.
And if you are offering free trips to Shot Show next year… 😀
Send this to friend
