What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

[BookHound]

I've attended SHOT several times. I've been on "both sides" of the booth. And have my own thoughts on SHOT Show from the perspective of both a vendor and an attendee but would love to hear what you folks think about SHOT.

Specifically, dealers, do you think SHOT is worth attending? Do you really get good information there? Do you make good contacts that help you the next year? Do you get good deal, Deal, DEALS on new stuff?

Manufacturers/vendors, do you find you get enough new business from SHOT to make the cost worth it? Do you get to connect with your dealer/distributor customers or are you spending most of your time with retail customers who managed to find a way into the show? (The answer to that last one really depends on your target market.

)

Attendees, do you really get the hands-on experience and information you seek? Is that information you can only get at the show or are all the various AARs with tons of pictures providing you with the same amount of info?


As we get closer to SHOT I find myself pondering the importance of the show and how I've seen the show evolve in the past five or so years. I am wondering if it is worth the time going as a vendor (exhibitor). I am wondering if it is worth the time going as an attendee. Again, I have formulated my own opinions but before sharing those opinions I'd love to know what you folks think.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[socalsheepdog]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

I will be watching this thread since I have tentative plans to attend this year for the first time. I always went to CES or WPPI that time of year. Should be a nice change. Can't decide how many days I should go. Hope this info can help me make a decision.

 

[shootist2004]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

I asked one vendor about it and he said if you dont show up people think you are out of business!
The reason its so expensive is the unions. They force you to rent their furniture and charge you 1300 bucks to plug in an extention cord! Im afraid they are going to drive away business when we need it most.

 

[BookHound]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootist2004</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I asked one vendor about it and he said if you dont show up people think you are out of business!
The reason its so expensive is the unions. They force you to rent their furniture and charge you 1300 bucks to plug in an extention cord! Im afraid they are going to drive away business when we need it most. </div></div>

I understand what you mean about the unions. Some of the fees are outrageous and a lot of the work I have witnessed in the past was leaving a bit to be desired.

Any more thoughts from anyone???

 

[SONIC SAAMI]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BookHound</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootist2004</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I asked one vendor about it and he said if you dont show up people think you are out of business!
The reason its so expensive is the unions. They force you to rent their furniture and charge you 1300 bucks to plug in an extention cord! Im afraid they are going to drive away business when we need it most. </div></div>

I understand what you mean about the unions. Some of the fees are outrageous and a lot of the work I have witnessed in the past was leaving a bit to be desired.

Any more thoughts from anyone??? </div></div>

Exhibiting or attending a trade show is huge investment of money and time so first and foremost if you do come I thank you.


The S.H.O.T Show association sets the prices for booth space,freight drage ect.
A contract is written by the shows association then General Contractors are contacted about the install and dismantling the show.
In no way do the General Contractor or the Unions set the price for what is paid for services on the floor.
Can the cost for exhibiting or attending a show be justified?
Logistics involved of install and dismantle of a major show like S.H.O.T.would blow your mind.

Please don't bash on the people working on the floor,most but not all work hard to keep the show in the town they work in.
If the shows association is not happy with the work provided the show will go to a new venue.
We must be doing a good job in Vegas as the S.H.O.T. Show association has signed a contact for the show to be here for the next 10 years.
Trade show workers work a job with no seniority and are layed off at the end of every show trying to make a living just like you.
Believe me a job as a union floor worker in the trade show industry is not all what its cracked up to be.

Please,,if you do make it to S.H.O.T have a good time and hit me with a PM I would like buy you a beer. DavidD

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

I attended the SHOT show many times through the 80's and early 90's. So all I can give is a little history. I haven't been to the newer ones.

In the 80's and 90's the SHOT show was the real McCoy. There were many many good deals to be had. It seemed like alot of merchandise was booked and sold at the show. From what I understand alot less of this is being done now, so that would be a disappointment.

Also the large distributors had magnificent shows just after the SHOT show. So small dealers still had access to a good show, but it was more regionalized. Like in Dayton and Chicago and Louisville(the ones I attended).

In the 80's and early 90's the SHOT show was for dealers only, and did not have the large advertisement like it has today. There were very few individuals there, only business. From what I understand that has changed. And now there are alot of people who are not buyers in the business, just lookers.

There were not a lot of celebrities there. Just the meat and potato salesman from the business.

So basically it was a place where business was done. From what I heard they are getting away from getting business done, and more towards"HollyWood antics". With lots of celebrities, TV shows, and the such. Or in other words a waste of time for the meat and potatoes small "mom and pop" dealers. But then those dealers are being squeezed out of the industry-more and more every year. Tom.

 

[BookHound]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

HOGGHEAD, you might not have attended SHOT in the more recent years, but your understanding of the way the show as evolved is pretty spot-on.

I'll refrain from further comment until we've had a few more folks chime in.

DavidD, I appreciate your thoughts and comments. Thanks for contributing.

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

trade shows have always been a launch pad for ideas or proof of concept one of a kind projects....if you can create a buzz maybe your widget will make the marketing dept.

the march of technology along with a set of daisy dukes is what makes the world go round.....



DavidD i'm comming for my free brew.......

 

[Brutas]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

http://www.shotshow.org/en/Attendee-Information/

"Attendance at the SHOT Show is RESTRICTED to the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade and commercial buyers and sellers of military, law enforcement and tactical products and services ONLY. The show is not open to the public, and NO one under age 16 shall be admitted (including infants).

Any celebrities there are getting paid.

With the internet, it is not cost effective for mom & pop shops to set up a booth. Attending every now and then is still probably useful. I think sales are almost zero, (transport, storage, sales tax, etc, ect.). Some companies will take orders at the show and ship them later, so prices aren't much better than online. Its mainly a place to display new items so people can finger them.

We are sending a few people out this year. We aren't setting up a booth, but will be hanging around at the GA Precision/Manners/Badger and AI booths as our "home base".

 

[BookHound]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

Funny you should post, Brian. I was hoping to meet someone from your company face-to-face at the show.

I'll be sure to track you down and look forward to meeting you.

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brutas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.shotshow.org/en/Attendee-Information/

With the internet, it is not cost effective for mom & pop shops to set up a booth. Attending every now and then is still probably useful. I think sales are almost zero, (transport, storage, sales tax, etc, ect.). Some companies will take orders at the show and ship them later, so prices aren't much better than online. Its mainly a place to display new items so people can finger them.
</div></div>

You are talking about sales to retail customers. I am talking about sales to retail sellers not buyers. That is what SHOT originally was.

Mom and Pop stores did not set up there. The Mom and Pop stores were the customers who went there to book their merchandise for the following year. The mom and pop sporting goods store was the only place to buy product(as a retail customer) up through the mid 90's. There was no internet. Pretty hard for some of you guys to visualize that if you grew up on the internet.

In the past it was not a place for people to finger things. It was a place that tried to sell their product to retail store owners. Not retail customers. If you did not own a retail shop it was pretty difficult for you to get in the SHOT show. Now a days lots of people who retail nothing go just to see .

In the past it was not a "trade show" so to speak. It wa a show where business was done.

For example, the final details of ammunition and firearm programs were normally negotiated at the SHOT show by major wholesalers and the factories. Then those programs were passed onto retailers at the regional shows(in the following weeks). Tom.

 

[BookHound]

Re: What are your thoughts on SHOT Show?

HOGGHEAD gets it VERY well. The original intent of SHOT is a thing of the past. Now the show is populated more by retail lurkers and less by retailers looking for new products to stock. Manufacturers often give dealers the same "SHOT Show deal" whether the retail dealer attends the show or not.

I'm not saying SHOT is a bad show, but I do think it is becoming more a waste of time for the retailer looking to score a deal, further a business relationship or perhaps create new business relationships. The most productive part of the show is often the after hours parties. Which, of course, wouldn't happen if not for the show. LOL.