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Winchester Ammo Honors Distributor and Dealer
Outdoors celebrity and TV host Dave Watson greets a fan at the Outdoor Channel booth on Wednesday.
Outdoor Channel Aims to Be a “Big SHOT”
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or the Outdoor Channel, this year the show won’t just go on—it will go on in a big way, as SHOT Show attendees will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the channel’s stars. The theme for the Outdoor Channel at this year’s SHOT Show is to truly be the “Biggest SHOTs of the Show,” as much of the on-air talent will be on hand to meet and greet with fans and attendees. “Outdoor Channel is a long-time supporter of NSSF’s SHOT Show, and we truly look forward to participating in the industry’s premier annual shooting and hunting gathering,” says chief operating officer Tom Hornish. “As the pinnacle-level sponsor of the 2012 show, we recognize the importance of our role among the key players in the outdoors ecosystem, and we take our mission of fostering the industry’s growth very seriously.” As with past years, the Outdoor Channel has created a multitude of locations that allow attendees to experience the Outdoor Channel brand first-hand. Hornish adds that this setting allows fans to connect with the talent through a number of venues, such as autograph signings on the show floor and appearances by Michael
Waddell and Zac Brown Band at the Channel’s Golden Moose Awards. Among this year’s high-caliber celebrities are Ted Nugent and Jim Shockey, as well as some of the Outdoor Channel’s “hottest couples,” including Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo, Rick and Julie Kreuter, and Jay and Tammi Gregory. Those in front of the camera will not only be on hand this week to meet their fans, but will even admit it is actually a break of sorts. “SHOT Show is the biggest gathering—and dare I say it, the biggest party—of the year for the outdoors community, and being here gives me an opportunity to directly interact with not only the industry, but with my fellow shooters,” says Michael Bane, host of several of Outdoor Channel’s leading TV programs, including Shooting Gallery and MidwayUSA’s The Best Defense. “Whether I’m on the show floor with Outdoor Channel’s fans, meeting with industry partners, or enjoying the company of my Outdoor Channel colleagues at the Golden Moose Awards, no other forum brings together the outdoors industry like SHOT Show.” Booth #L215. —Peter Suciu
For setting a high standard of service to dealers, solid sales performance, and support of the Winchester brand, W.L. Baumler Company has been named the 2011 Distributor of the Year by Winchester Ammunition. “W.L. Baumler Company was a large part of our success in 2011, and we’re excited to present them with this award,” said Brett Flaugher, Winchester Ammunition vice president of sales and marketing. “We look forward to continuing a strong partnership with W.L. Baumler Company and, as we have for many decades, work together to meet the needs of our customers.” Headquartered in Lorain, Ohio, W.L. Baumler Company was founded in 1946, and has been a valuable distributor for Winchester Ammunition since the early 1960s. The company is a wholesaler of hunting and fishing supplies, including firearms, ammunition, rods, reels, lures, and more. “It means a lot to our company that Winchester Ammunition recognized our work,” said Jack Baumler, W.L. Baumler Company owner and president. “We receive great feedback on Winchester products. They are a great company to deal with and have been very loyal to W.L. Baumler Company. We owe a great deal of thanks to our customers and manufacturer’s reps for making this award possible.” Winchester Ammunition also honored Mack’s Prairie Wings with its Dealer of the Year Award. “Mack’s Prairie Wings has been a leading dealer of Winchester Ammunition for many years,” said Winchester Ammunition’s Flaugher. “This award is our way of saying thanks.”
Jack Baumler (left), owner of W.L. Baumler Co., accepts the Distributor of the Year Award from Brett Flaugher of Winchester Ammunition.
Bill D’Alonzo Named Budweiser Conservationist of the Year
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Bill D’Alonzo is a lifelong conservationist and longtime member of Ducks Unlimited.
uring a SHOT Show press reception on Wednesday evening, Bill D’Alonzo, was awarded the 17th Budweiser Conservationist of the Year award by the St. Louis brewer. A $50,000 grant will be made to an organization of D’Alonzo’s choosing to support conservation efforts. As part of the Budweiser Outdoors program, individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the outdoors and conservation are recognized. With matching donations from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the program has raised more than $10 million for on-the-
ground conservation initiatives. Joining Ducks Unlimited at the age of 14, D’Alonzo quickly contributed as a volunteer, then as a national committee member, a state treasurer, and eventually a senior vice president for business planning. Today, he continues a commitment to wetland conservation while managing 20 habitats of native grasses, shrubs, and grain crops. D’Alonzo’s belief in the power of conservation continues to make an impact across the marshes of Delaware and beyond. “Since 1995, the Budweiser Outdoors program has celebrated and supported the passion, dedica-
tion, and leadership of conservationists across the country,” said Bob Fishbeck, senior manager for the Budweiser brands. Three other conservationists were selected alongside D’Alonzo as finalists for the award: Fred Bryant of Kingsville, Tex.; Don R. Johnson of Festus, Mo.; and David Ramsey of Unicoi, Tenn. Each will receive a $5,000 grant to be distributed to wildlife or conservation projects of their choosing. Each year, the program selects four finalists from an open-ballot process on Budweiser. com. For more information, visit nfwf.org. —Peter B. Mathiesen
10 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 3, January 19, 2012
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