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. Preserve Your State’s Hunting Heritage — page 18 SHOT Show Shatters Records In 30th Year Tony Aeschliman he SHOT Show in Las Vegas smashed all-time records in its 30th year, posting new highs in attendance, exhibition space, exhibiting companies and media turnout. “What better way to celebrate the SHOT Show’s 30th anniversary than with a turnout that not only broke, but shattered, all previous records for attendance and exhibit space,” said Doug Painter, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), owner and sponsor of the SHOT Show. “The buying activity reported is a strong indicator of a good year to come and reflects the strength of the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry.” The show, held Feb. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, covered 715,000 square feet of exhibit space, a gain of nearly 60,000 over last year, with 1,950 exhibiting companies, up from last year’s 1,870. With a total registered attendance of 58,769, the show eclipsed last year’s attendance record of 42,216. The show attracted 30,686 buyers, 1,725 members of the press, 25,854 exhibiting personnel and 504 guests. T Business was better than ever at this year’s show, according to exhibiting companies and retailers. “I’ve been coming to the SHOT Show since 1982 and this is the busiest one I’ve ever worked. We didn’t even lose booth traffic during the Super Bowl,” said Randell Pence, Sturm, Ruger & Co.’s executive director of sales and marketing. Retailers were also impressed. “This is my first show, and it’s bigger than I expected,” said Chris Dunn, owner of Chevlon Canyon Guns Co. in Queen Creek, Ariz. “I’ve spent all four days here, and I have found some products that I think will really be big sellers for me.” Retailers, exhibitors and media from outside the United States continue to flock to the show each year. Attendees came from 75 countries. “I have been to all of the large European shows, but they can’t compare to the SHOT Show. This is the best. Everything is here. I have found five or six companies for which I will be their exclusive dealer in Spain,” said Rico Cabezas Roca, a dealer specializing in law enforcement from Madrid. Press attendance at this year’s show increased nearly 30 percent. Each year, the show is the largest gathering of outdoor media in the world, according to NSSF. “When it comes to media, there is nothing like SHOT, where nearly 2,000 members of the press are in one place,” said Tom Taylor, Smith & Wesson vice president of marketing. “This year was great. Press attendance was up, and, since our company has expanded, we were able to meet with many other publications that we hadn’t in the past.” NSSF reports that the outlook for next year’s SHOT Show in Orlando, Fla., is bright. Before the closing bell had rung on SHOT Show 2008, exhibitors had already booked 700,000 square feet of exhibit space for next year’s show in Orlando. Editor’s note: Shooting Industry will provide in-depth coverage of SHOT Show 2008 in the April issue, along with an expanded New Products Showcase. In the May issue, we’ll review the Law Enforcement news and products from the SHOT Show. SHOT Show 2008 set records, as dealers and other buyers converged on the 30th annual event. Beretta Awarded Army Contract eretta has been awarded a multi-year contract by the U.S. Army for 25,403 M9 pistols, with deliveries starting in June 2008 and continuing until February 2010. The U.S. Army, the contract provides, also reserves the right to purchase additional M9 pistols. According to Beretta, the M9 pistols will be manufactured at the Beretta U.S.A. facility in Accokeek, Md. “Beretta U.S.A. Corp. has supplied the Beretta M9 pistol as the standard sidearm for the U.S. Armed Forces since 1985, and continues to make investments in manufacturing capability, R&D 8 MARCH 2008 B and product development to serve the needs of the U.S. Military and Homeland Defense community,” said Jeff Reh, vice-general manager for Beretta U.S.A. Corp. In 2005, Beretta U.S.A. Corp. received 13 contracts for M9 pistols and component parts from the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. Many of the U.S. Army purchases were multi-year contracts lasting five years, from which over $31 million dollars in purchase orders have since been issued to Beretta U.S.A. Corp. For additional information, visit www.berettausa.com. www.shootingindustry.com