Larger Than Ever, SHOT Show
Kicks Off Saturday in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- At $3.7 billion per year, the U.S. hunting and shooting sports market is huge.

If anything demonstrates its size, it is the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry's annual trade show -- SHOT Show -- which runs Feb. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Owned and sponsored by the industry's trade association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the SHOT Show is by far the largest trade show of its kind. It is where the industry each year rolls out the latest hunting, shooting and outdoor gear that will adorn sporting goods store shelves and equip law enforcement agencies in the coming year.

In its 30th year, the 2008 SHOT Show will be the largest ever. With 1,948 exhibiting companies encompassing more than 715,000 net square feet of space, it is one of the top 30 trade shows in the country, as well as one of the fastest growing, regardless of industry. More than 50,000 industry professionals have registered to attend the SHOT Show from the U.S. and 75 foreign countries.

"The SHOT Show is the traditional kickoff to our industry's business year," said Doug Painter, NSSF president. "From hunting gear to law enforcement products, buyers and media from around the world will gather to see the industry's newest offerings."

According to the National Sporting Goods Association, hunting and firearm sales topped $3.7 billion in 2006, up 4 percent from the previous year. That growth is reflected this year at SHOT Show, which at 715,000 net square feet is 9 percent larger than last year's show in Orlando.

Sections of the show include firearms and ammunition, general shooting and hunting, outdoor wear, outfitters, law enforcement, paintball and retail services.

SHOT Show is a private trade show for industry personnel only. It is not open to the public.

Revenue from the SHOT Show is used by NSSF for a variety of programs aimed at educating consumers about the safe and responsible use of the industry's products and advancing participation in and understanding of hunting and the shooting sports. 

The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is owned and sponsored by NSSF, the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry's largest trade association, and managed by Reed Exhibitions. For more information, visit www.shotshow.org and www.nssf.org.

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