June 2, 2009

The Shooting Sports Summit Opens

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The shooting Sports Summit is underway. In opening remarks, NSSF President Steve Sanetti said, "Unity and action are the themes of this Summit."

The keynote speech this morning will be delivered by Clyde Fessler, former vice president of business development for Harley Davidson who is credited with spearheading the re-branding of that company and broadening H-D's appeal to younger generations. That success story should resonate with this audience, which will be considering ways to attract more youth to participate in hunting and target shooting.

Following the Fessler speech, the Summit kicks off with its first presentation–Youth Programs–one of five areas that attendees will focus on during the two days here. Three areas–Youth Programs, Recruitment and Retention/Reactivation–will be considered today, with two more–Access/Opportunity and Coordinating Efforts–tomorrow.

Each area has a strategic initiative and three to four "questions" that will be discussed in roundtable meetings. Each roundtable will generate suggested action plans that all attendees will have a chance to vote for through an electronic poll.

For Youth Programs, the strategic initiative is . . .

"Recruit new youth participants and retain (reactivate and develop) current youth participants by following the awareness-to-adoption process . . . by helping stakeholders develop a model for recruitment and retention efforts that link R&R programs . . . include youth and families . . . and that focuses on long-term hunter, shooter and archer development."

For Recruitment, the strategic initiative is . . .

"To target the group most likely to respond to a marketing campaign. This will produce the most new hunters and shooters over five years in the most efficient manner. Research concludes the top target group is families of shooters and hunters."

For Retention/Reactivation, the strategic initative is . . .

"To retain existing hunters and shooters; reengage lapsed hunters and shooters."

For Access and Opportunity, the strategic initiative is . . .

"To improve access to quality hunting lands and shooting facilities to ensure that the increased demand generated through the efforts of other task force working groups (a 20% increase over the next 5 years) is met with commensurate increases in opportunity."

For Coordination of Efforts, the strategic initiative is . . .

"Develop a plan for national coordination among federal and state agencies, conservation and shooting organizations, media, and industry partners to sustain and enhance hunting and the shooting sports."

Remember that live streaming video of certain segments of the Summit will be available at www.nssf.org, including the Fessler speech.   Here is the Webcast schedule.

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Categories: Hunting