What Will Be Covered at the Marketing and Leadership Summit

The NSSF Marketing and Leadership Summit features a fantastic agenda of expert speakers and panel discussions as well as some fun activities that provide great networking time with your fellow industry leaders.

Tuesday, May 10

2:00 – 5:00pm: Registration

Wednesday, May 11

7:30am – 4:30pm: Registration

7:30am – 8:30am: Breakfast

8:30am – 9:00am: Welcome & Introductions—Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President & CEO

Join us as we kick off the NSSF Marketing and Leadership Summit with a sneak peek of what you can expect and get to know your industry peers in attendance.

9:00am – 10:00am: Mark Schaefer – Cumulative Advantage – How to be Relentlessly Relevant

To optimize your brand success, you must be relentlessly relevant to your customers and fans.

But this is a challenge in a world transformed by a pandemic and rapid technological change. A complex cocktail of new forces is creating dramatically new customer needs and expectations. How do we remain relevant amid this chaos?

In this fast-paced and unforgettable talk, bestselling author Mark Schaefer reveals the secrets to relentless relevance and the lessons from his sensational new book “Cumulative Advantage: How to Create Momentum for Your Ideas, Business and Life Against All Odds.”

In this acclaimed presentation, you’ll learn:

* How relevance is created and maintained
* Four methods to detect important shifts of opportunity
* New trends that will be impacting your relevance right now

10:00am – 10:30am: Networking Break

10:30am – 11:30am: CEO Panel – Moderated by Joe Bartozzi

The firearm industry has experienced extraordinary change over the past two years. Hear what a panel of top industry leaders has to say about where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re headed.
Panelists:  Al Casper, President & CEO, Savage Arms Corp.; Jim Chandley, President, Nation’s Best Sports; Brett Flaugher, President, Winchester; Bryan Tucker, CEO, Davidson’s Inc.

11:30am – 12:30pm: Phillip Smith – Firearm Ownership & Expansion in a Growing American Demographic

An unprecedented number of Americans purchased their first firearm during the pandemic, many of whom were women and minorities. Phillip Smith of the National African American Gun Association sheds light on this unprecedented surge and discusses this historic opportunity for the industry to meet the needs of these new gun owners now and for years to come.

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Networking Lunch

1:45pm– 2:30pm: Rob Southwick – Who is Today’s Firearm and Accessories Customer?

In the past several years, many people purchased their first firearm while longtime customers experienced shifts in their product and participation preferences. Recognizing the many reasons why people want a firearm, in 2021 and 2022, Southwick Associates and NSSF updated the consumer segments—or personas—who are the foundation of our industry. These segments describe our customers’ motivations, preferences, accessory purchases and more. Join this discussion to learn more about today’s marketplace and the information available to firearm and accessories businesses.

2:30pm – 2:45pm: Networking Break

2:45pm – 3:45pm: Customer Retention Panel – Moderated by Jade Moldae

While many businesses focus much of their attention on attracting new customers, one key element of success is retaining a business’s current—and most loyal—customers. Jade Moldae, editor of Shooting Industry magazine, sits down with a panel of industry businesses that have found success in customer retention. They’ll provide attendees insight into what keeps their customers coming back again and again.
Panelists: Kristin Marlow, Chief Marketing Officer, Staccato;Jacquelyn Clark, Owner, Bristlecone Shooting, Training & Retail Center;Clay Ausley, Owner, Fuquay Gun.

3:50pm – 4:50pm: Jason Redman – Get Off the X and Overcome All

Retired Navy SEAL, severely wounded warrior, New York Times and Amazon bestselling author, veterans’ advocate, business leader, and acclaimed leadership and resilience speaker, Jason Redman has defied the odds. From a leadership failure back to redemption and respect, to being shot eight times including a round to the face in a fierce firefight in Iraq, Jason is the epitome of the Overcome Mindset. He now motivates and inspires audiences across the country with his remarkable journey of leadership, redemption, and building a relentless Overcome Mindset. Jason has merged all his lessons learned into relatable content teaching others how to become their own Pointman for Life, Get off the X and Overcome all.

5:00pm – 6:30pm: Networking Reception

Kick back, enjoy some refreshments, and build relationships with your fellow NSSF Marketing and Leadership Summit colleagues, sponsors, and speakers.

Thursday, May 12

8:00am – 8:45am: Breakfast

8:30am – 12:30pm: Networking Activity – Trap Shooting

8:30am – 12:30pm: Networking Activity – 9-hole Golf

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Lunch

2:00pm – 3:00pm: Shep Hyken – I’ll Be Back

How do you build a business that thrives during good times and bad? Is there a strategy that can set your company up for success, no matter what curveballs the world may throw your way? There is: Turn customers into repeat customers and turn repeat customers into loyal customers. Customer service and experience expert Shep Hyken maintains that delivering an amazing customer service experience that keeps customers coming back for more is everyone’s job, from the CEO or owner of a business to the most recently hired employee. It’s the result of a customer-focused philosophy that must be baked into the culture. And it is what separates you from your competition. Shep Hyken’s returns with new and fresh ideas that will get your customers to say, “I’ll Be Back.”

3:00pm – 3:45pm: Business Relocation Panel – Moderated by Larry Keane

A conversation exploring the factors and issues that motivate a company to relocate and what companies are looking for when they move. What incentives and packages can a state offer a company to relocate? How important are factors like a state’s legislative and regulatory environment, access to skilled labor and workforce training, and access to transportation to enable you to get your goods to market? How important is the Second Amendment in the decision-making process? Hear from a CEO who just pulled the trigger, an expert who assists companies through the process, and a state economic development executive who recruits companies.
Panelists: Mark Smith, President & CEO, Smith & Wesson; Dave Cooper, Attorney & Founder, Waypoint Advisors LLC.; David Rogers, COO, Enterprise Florida, Inc.

3:45pm – 4:00pm: Networking Break

4:00pm – 5:00pm: Seth Mattison – Next Gen Talent: Unleash the Power and Perspective of Every Generation

Take a look around your organization today. There’s a good chance you’re working alongside three and possibly even four generations of talent. Going forward, the workforce is moving inexorably toward greater diversity. This dynamic can create crippling challenges or game-changing advantages for teams that learn to recognize, understand, value, and ultimately tap the strategic perspective that lies within every generation. Fresh eyes alongside seasoned wisdom will be a fierce force in the new world of work. Next Gen Talent will help you harness it. Seth will explore the histories, personalities, strengths, and challenges of each unique generational group. And share insights and today’s biggest workforce trends.

5:15pm – 6:15pm: Networking Reception

Enjoy some refreshments and network with your fellow NSSF Marketing & Leadership Summit colleagues, sponsors, and speakers.

Friday, May 13

Travel Day

The Hospitality Suite is located at the Litton House

Access the Hospitality Suite during the evening for snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and a place to relax after conference hours.

Hours:

• Wednesday, May 11, 6:30 – 11:00pm
• Thursday, May 12, 6:30 – 11:00pm