Georgia Department of Economic Development Returns as Platinum Sponsor of NSSF Industry Summit

To: ALL MEDIA

For immediate release

November 24, 2014

For more information contact:

Bill Brassard

203-426-1320

Georgia Department of Economic Development Returns as Platinum Sponsor of NSSF Industry Summit

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation^® is pleased to announce that the Georgia Department of Economic Development will be returning as the Platinum Sponsor of the 2015 NSSF Industry Summit. Taking place June 1-3, in Savannah, Georgia, this year’s event will work to share dynamic models of success that contribute toward the common industry goals of promoting hunting and target shooting, discuss threats to our success and explore new avenues of opportunities for growth and recruitment.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state’s sales and marketing arm and lead agency for attracting new business investment. It encourages the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, develops new domestic and international markets, works to attract tourists to Georgia, and promotes the state as a location for film, video, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. The Georgia DED’s platinum level sponsorship of the NSSF Industry Summit is part of greater three-year agreement between NSSF^® and the department that includes support not only for the Summit, but also NSSF’s annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show^® (SHOT Show^®).

“The NSSF Industry Summit showcases Georgia’s welcoming business environment and excellent quality of life to the firearms industry,” said Tom Croteau, Deputy Commissioner of Global Commerce at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “We welcome the leaders in the public and private sector who will be attending and hope that they find Georgia a great place to visit, conduct business and invest.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have the state of Georgia partner with us in producing the 2015 Industry Summit,” said Melissa Schilling, NSSF Director, Recruitment and Retention. “The generosity in this sponsorship speaks volumes to the commitment Georgia has both to the firearms industry and shooting and hunting sportsmen everywhere. With this support, we expect the 2015 Industry Summit to set the firearm industry’s course for outreach, expansion and exceptional growth.”

The 2015 Summit will convene on several topics crucial to the continued success of today’s firearms industry. These include:

• Diversity—trends affecting our industry and successful outreach models
• Media Outreach—engaging the press, use of social media and technology, and ways to counter anti-gun rhetoric.
• The Changing Face of Today’s Shooter—reaching the new shooter, recruitment pilot efforts and building customer interaction.
• Hunting—recognizing the new hunter of today, building hunter numbers and tools for the future such as apprentice programs.
• Government Relations—a comprehensive overview of state issues and ballot initiatives, threats to our industry, new opportunities for growth and grassroots versus big money activism.

NSSF is currently calling for presentations from firearms industry leaders that address these five discussion points. Submissions may be presented for consideration until December 4, 2014. To submit your presentation and to learn more about the 2015 NSSF Industry Summit, visit nssf.org/IndustrySummit. Learn more about the Georgia Department of Economic Development at georgia.org.

There are a small number of sponsorship opportunities still available for the 2015 NSSF Industry Summit. Learn more about the benefits of sponsoring this important summit at www.nssf.org/IndustrySummit/sponsors or contact Chris Tatulli, NSSF Director, Exhibits and Sponsorships, at ctatulli@nssf.org; (203) 426-1320 ext. 214.

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About NSSF

The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 10,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, visit nssf.org.