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SHOT Show 2022
SHOT SHOW 2022
The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (‘SHOT’) Show is the biggest global event in our industry and, as ever, we were there with our nose close to the ground
Overview by Simon West of the Gun Trade Association ALTHOUGH what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, may I take the opportunity to tell a few tales? To say it was gun rich would be an understatement. There were three major gun shows in town that attracted the gun trade from across the world. The largest was the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show, known to you all as SHOT. It is run by the US gun trade association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Despite the pandemic, and a definite reduction in the numbers visiting (probably 25% down on the usual 60,000), the show had actually expanded on its 2019 footprint, with almost 2,500 exhibitors. It is very much a trade-only show and is the key USA business-to-business venue. International companies also form a good part of the exhibitors, so it contin-
ues to be a global opportunity to engage. Almost all the big names were there but its size reflects the huge number of smaller suppliers covering every aspect of firearms, ammunition and equipment manufacture. While it is oriented to the US market, with pistols and AR derivatives forming much of the core product list, given its size, there is something for
hibitors held back because of the travel uncertainties, but I firmly believe that it is a wonderful opportunity for British manufacturers to expand their markets. You only have to get 1% of 1% of the US market and you will have profited! Down the road was the Safari Club International 50th Convention. More of a members’ gathering
“I was able to develop some ideas
of how the British trade can engage with the US marketplace ” everyone. Most of the British companies present were there as buyers, but our British exhibitors were benefiting from healthy interest. Amongst others, the Accuracy International stand was inevitably busy with the big military, law enforcement and civilian buyer communities. Eley, with their huge US rimfire market, are another key UK exporter. And one couldn’t even get near the Spartan Precision stand for customers. This year some of our traditional ex-
(8,000 plus!) it featured lots of meetings and lectures on international hunting issues. But, alongside, it featured a retail show of guns and hunting venues in typical American quantity. I was delighted to see Messrs John Rigby, Charles Lancaster, John Dickson, Westley Richards and Carl Russell there, exploiting the keen interest in our British reputation for producing the best sporting firearms in the world.
And then in the other direction, the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show. I have never seen so many Purdey, Holland & Holland, William Evans and Greener guns in one place. There, in the middle of the show, for their fifteenth visit from UK, were Wendy and Peter Dyson, the go-to providers of specialist heritage arms parts. It’s quite a show. I was able to chat to two dozen British companies present at the various shows, and also some of our military and police visitors. I got a lot of business done and was able to develop some ideas of how the British trade can engage with that marketplace. If you see international trade as being an opportunity, the US could be a good place to start. Whether visiting or exhibiting, drop me a line. Perhaps Vegas 2023 could work for you.” GTN
NEED TO KNOW ■ WHAT: SHOT Show 2022 ■ WHEN: January 18-21 ■ WHERE: Las Vegas, USA
