Strong Sales Mark 2004 SHOT Show

Buyers turned out in force for this year’s Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to review the latest in firearms, ammunition, apparel, and hunting and shooting sport accessories, helping some exhibitors set sales records along the way. "We sold more product at this SHOT Show than at the last two combined," said Bob Morrison, Chief Operating Officer of Taurus International. "We did as much business in the first morning as we did for the whole Show last year," said Tony Aeschliman of Marlin Firearms. "It’s a winner for us." Strong sales reported in all sectors of the show reflected the industry’s optimism for the year ahead and confidence in the rebounding U.

S. economy. "This is one of the best shows we’ve seen in many years," said Winchester Ammunition President Dick Hammett, echoing comments heard throughout the Show floor. "Extremely successful" was how Laura Olinger of Bushnell Performance Optics described her company’s successful show. "This is one of the busiest SHOT Shows we have ever experienced—a lot of traffic, a lot of sales." Many exhibitors noted the high quality of the attendees coming to their booths and their eagerness to buy. "The comfort level of the dealers is definitely high, and they’re very eager to purchase," Sigarms Vice President of Commercial Sales Mark Kresser said. "The people here are serious dealers, very qualified dealers." "We’re extremely happy," said Wayne Holt, director of sales and marketing for ammunition-maker Hornady Manufacturing Company. "This is a great show.

I haven’t heard one negative comment from anyone." Many companies use the show to introduce their new products, more than 500 of which were displayed in the New Products Center.

As NSSF President Doug Painter observed in his opening night State of the Industry address, the SHOT Show is more than a trade show, it is the industry’s "show of force." Underscoring that point, exhibitors and attendees signed over 20,000 postcards in support of Senate Bill 659, legislation that would halt predatory, junk lawsuits that seek to hold manufacturers responsible for the criminal misuse of their products.

For more information on next year’s SHOT Show, call the National Shooting Sports Foundation at or visit Editor Keith Lawrence Technical