Summit News

Follow the Summit Online

Couldn't make it to the summit? Tune in online. Thanks to sponsorship from Davidson's, several key segments of the summit will be Webcast live. In addition to live streaming, coverage will be available through NSSF.org, including photos, blog posts and more.

Also, follow the summit via Twitter. To receive NSSF's Twitter messages on your cell phone, text the words "follow NSSFComm" to 40404.

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Task Force 20/20 Sets Agenda

Task Force 20/20 met recently at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Va. Click here to view a short video from the meeting.

In a roll-up-the-sleeves meeting, Task Force 20/20 established initiatives in five action areas -- youth programs, recruitment, access and opportunity, coordinating efforts and addressing aging demographics (retention/reactivation) -- that will form the basis for working group discussions at the NSSF Shooting Sports Summit June 1-3 in Weston, Fla.

The Task Force meeting, hosted at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Va., was led by newly appointed facilitator, Michael Callahan, and Frank Briganti, NSSF's director of industry research and analysis. With these initiatives in place, leaders from the firearms industry, federal and state agencies, shooting sports organizations and wildlife conservation groups are invited to attend the Summit and participate in the development of strategic initiatives that will have positive, far-reaching effects on the future of shooting and hunting in America over the next five years.

"Task Force members have set the table for a tremendously important Summit that to be successful will require all segments of the hunting and shooting community to share their ideas and commit their support to the action plans," said Steve Sanetti, NSSF president and CEO. "The 2009 Summit will lay the foundation for building a positive future for our industry and our sports, and I ask all stakeholders to attend." Play Video

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Callahan Named Task Force 20/20 Leader

Michael Callahan

Former Cabela's senior executive Michael Callahan has been appointed leader and facilitator of Task Force 20/20. Callahan brings 34 years of experience to the role, most recently serving as a consultant for Cabela's and as the company's senior vice president of business development and international operations before that.

"I'm excited and honored to have the opportunity to work with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the members of Task Force 20/20 team and our industry on this vitally important project to meaningfully increase participation in our sports over the next five years," said Callahan. "Some of the best minds representing the shooting sports and hunting from across the nation have come together to focus on this effort. I look forward to working with everyone and helping to turn this enthusiasm and support into real action and positive results."

Task Force 20/20, which was formed at the conclusion of last year's Shooting Sports Summit, has been charged with the goal of increasing participation in hunting and the shooting sports by 20 percent over the next five years. The 2009 Shooting Sports Summit is aimed at helping the Task Force reach that goal -- working together, sharing ideas, taking action and holding nothing back.

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Speaker Spotlight: Paul Gillin

At the Summit, social media guru Paul Gillin will discuss the important changes in markets driven by a new breed of bloggers and podcasters. Gillin will explain how social media campaigns are rewriting the rules of marketing and how our industry can benefit from these new age technologies.

The presentation will provide an overview of social media channels with an explanation of their strengths and weaknesses and how best to leverage social media in reaching new audiences. Gillin will also facilitate a roundtable discussion at the Summit. Copies of his latest book, Secrets of Social Media Marketing, will be given to attendees. He will speak at the Summit on June 3.  Full Bio on Paul Gillin

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Speaker Spotlight: Clyde Fessler

Clyde Fessler, former Harley-Davidson Motor Co. vice president of business development, will address Summit attendees on Tuesday, June 2. Fessler played an integral role in Harley-Davidson's dramatic turnaround over the past 24 years. He also led the establishment of Harley Owners Group, which now has more than 500,000 members and is the largest enthusiast club in the world.

At the Summit, Fessler will relate his business experiences to our industry's efforts to reach new hunters and target shooters, maintain active baby boomers and define new opportunities for growth and success. Full Bio on Clyde Fessler

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Sponsors Leading the Way

A growing cast of industry sponsors are leading the way to ensure the 2009 Summit is a success. Summit sponsors include Safari Club International, Outdoor Channel, National Rifle Association, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, Boone and Crockett Club, Reed Exhibitions, Wildlife Management Institute and Hunting Heritage Trust.

View sponsorship opportunities.