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The 2010 SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) Show returned to Las Vegas, January 19-22, after its one year hiatus in Orlando, Florida. With the support of strong firearms and ammunition sales in 2009, despite a struggling economy, The 2010 SHOT Show attracted 58,444 visitors. That number represented only several hundred shy of the all-time record set in 2008 (in Las Vegas), while besting last year’s Orlando show by over 11,000. The 2010 show drew a record high of 31,280 buyers and 1,804 media professionals.

Exhibiting companies numbered 1,633 (about 125 of them international). The show is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearm industry’s trade association.

The SHOT Show continues to increase in importance to the army/navy military surplus industry, as the industry moves ever more strongly into law enforcement/tactical markets - a segment of the SHOT Show that is clearly the fastest growing element of the Show. The SHOT Show was already an attractive event to the army/navy industry for its concentration of hunting, outdoor sports, cutlery, optics, footwear and related products. The explosive growth of the tactical division of the show complements the army/navy industry’s burgeoning interest in the tactical market.

SHOT exhibitor Danny Fox of Fox Outdoor Products noted that the show is increasingly part of his company’s long-range plans.

“The SHOT Show is critically important for any vendor in the tactical and law enforcement market, in which we are more heavily involved. It is, however, an exposure show, for shaking hands, generating leads and contacts,” said Fox.

Steve Adkisson of Major Surplus relies on The SHOT Show to grow the company’s Voodoo Tactical division.

“We had a great SHOT Show. The traffic was heavy, we were always busy. The Voodoo Tactical line is a perfect draw for SHOT buyers,” he said.

Jeff Daniel of Sturm was disappointed with the location of their booth at SHOT, but recognizes the value of the show.

“SHOT traffic was excellent, and the combination of SHOT and the Army Navy Military Expo will work for us,” explained Daniel.

Hy Slavin of Alpha Industries also hoped for a better location, noting that the cobbled-together and maze-like floor plans at the Sands Expo were not ideal for buyer circulation.

“We’re fortunate that our buyers knew where to find us, given the confusion generated by the size and logistics of the show layout. But traffic was exceptional, busy until the end of the show,” Slavin noted.