Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Russ Thurman A Good Start To 2009 S HOT Show 2009 last month in Orlando, Fla., provided a muchwelcomed boost to the industry’s morale, as dealers and buyers crowded booths and exhibitors reported solid order-writing. Total attendance at the show hit more than 48,000, with attendees accounting for 25,384 of that number. While not a SHOT Show record, it was a 3-percent increase over the event in 2007, the last time the show was held in Orlando. Just as important, the show is in sharp contrast to the trend in trade shows, which, except in rare occasions, are in steep decline. The attendance and the positive reports from exhibitors was, undoubtly, welcome news to Steve Sanetti, who, while a SHOT Show veteran, was attending his first show as the president of NSSF. “We are pleased with the overall attendance, which reflects the strength of the industry. The upbeat atmosphere and the business conducted is important as we face a challenging economy,” Sanetti said. Business at our FMG Publications’ booth was steady throughout the show, with peak times rated as “frenzy.” We gave away thousands of copies of our magazines: Shooting Industry, American Handgunner, GUNS Magazine and Ameri- “Salutes go out to NSSF and the industry, in general, for a welcome start to 2009.” can COP. Late on Friday, the second day of the show, we were in danger of running out of magazines, something that’s never happened that early in the show. We actually began limiting the numbers of magazines we placed on display. While not a scientific measuring tool, this is an indicator of the dealer attendance and enthusiasm for our products. The success of SHOT Show 2009 was in contrast to numerous speculations leading up to the show that dealers in huge numbers were canceling their attendance. In addition, shortly after the November national election, I received queries, asking if I’d heard that large numbers of manufacturers were canceling their booths at the show. In Orlando, the the-show-is-a-failure rumors continued, even as dealers and other buyers swept through the convention hall. On Saturday, I was asked if it was true that NSSF was opening the show to the public on the last day to “make the numbers look better.” All this fits into the fashion of the day, much of it driven by the Internet: bad news sells, good news doesn’t. We’d rather stick with “telling it like it is.” SHOW Show 2009 didn’t set attendance records, but it was a significant success, given the economy and an uncertain future. Salutes go out to NSSF and the industry, in general, for a welcome start to 2009. t the SHOT Show, we presented our all-digital editions of Shooting Industry and American COP to those visiting our booth and to others throughout the exhibit hall. The editions drew plenty of “wows” and more than a few stunned reactions. Yes, the digital editions are gaining a lot of attention as manufacturers, distributors and dealers learn the many features of these interactive publications. With our all-digital editions, FMG is reaching an ever-widening audience of online readers. The January/February issue of American COP was first posted online in mid-December 2008. Between Dec. 12 and Dec. 30, 2,950 visitors viewed 65,500 pages. “Those numbers are impressive — especially when you consider it’s only one-half month’s worth of data,” said American COP publisher and editor Roy Huntington. “The best part is we know real cops are reading the issues based on their e-mail comments.” A FMG Digital Editions Increase Circulation Shooting Industry’s online editions are enjoying similar success. From Dec. 12 to Dec. 30, Shooting Industry’s December digital edition attracted 1,950 visitors and received more than 47,000 page views. The October and November introductory digital editions have received 4,350 unique visitors and 39,700 page views since Oct. 1. Yes, we’re very pleased by the reaction to the digital editions. They are incredible business-building tools for manufacturers, distributors and dealers. Based on reactions from the SHOT Show, we are preparing programs for a number of companies that will harness the significant features of these interactive editions. To view and sign up for a free subscription to the publications, visit www.shootingindustry.com and www.americancopmagazine.com, and click on the animated magazine cover in the upper right-hand corner of the home pages. 9 WE’RE CALLING YOU OUT TO THE SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS! Page 38 46 FEBRUARY 2009 Read SI DIGITAL www.shootingindustry.com