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The Army Navy Military Expo recently concluded what is likely to be its last appearance at the South Point Hotel and Casino on the outskirts of Las Vegas.

Effective with the next show, the Army Navy Military Expo will renew itself as a once-per-year event, taking place in January 2010. Most importantly, the Expo will now align itself on the calendar with the SHOT Show, the outdoor sports, cutlery and law enforcement/tactical show that is not only one of the fastest growing in the nation but also a show that is rapidly expanding in popularity with traditional army/navy industry suppliers and retailers.

As part of that transition to a SHOT Show satellite show, the Army Navy Military Expo is moving to the Tuscany Suites and Casino, located less than one mile from the Sands Expo Center that will house the SHOT Show. Rooms promise to be spacious and inexpensive at the Tuscany, which was also one of South Point’s main attractions. The relocation of show venue to just off the Las Vegas Strip is a great move in and of itself.

Expo show dates are January 18-20, 2010. That coincides neatly with SHOT Show dates of January 19-22.

Given that the Expo is now in effect a brand new show, there is not much point in rehashing the event that took place August 8-10 at the South Point. In general, though, although some exhibitors were satisfied with the business that they wrote there, traffic was not conducive to a rewarding show experience for most exhibitors.

Better to look ahead to January 2010, when the Expo has a solid opportunity to establish itself as an industry-specific must-attend for both exhibitor and buyer. Early exhibitor and buyer commitment is already very encouraging, according to show management.

The Expo will position itself as an order-writing event in contrast to the reputation of the SHOT Show as a tire-kickfest. Expo will benefit substantially from SHOT’s quickly expanding roster of exhibitors and buyers who want access to traditional army/navy goods but are also seeking SHOT-based new markets and suppliers.

Schreck Wholesale: (left to right) Nancy Artieda of AA Surplus Sales, Los Angeles, CA with Harold Hirsch.

Blantex: (left to right) Maurice Blanga with a customer, putting a sale to bed.

Military Outdoor Clothing: (left to right) David Crouch, Patricia Barry, Bret Kimmel.

David Crouch & Patricia Barry of MOC with silent partner

Palco Sports: Casey Steele

Allegheny Wholesale: (left to right) Mike Poore of Feed Master, Glendale AZ; Don Cantwell; Brian Mills of Southwest Salvage of Lawton, OK.