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. Good Specials For Dealers R SR has held eight E-Shows in three years, along with a few smaller, vendor-specific events called “E-Vaults.” At first, the shows were bigger, but in refining the concept, RSR has opted for quality and efficiency over quantity. “Based on customer feedback, we’ve shrunk the number of vendors,” Van Brocklin said. “As we’ve fine-tuned the format, we’ve asked our vendors to bring some really nice specials and programs to the table. We’re looking for them to bring innovative programs.” Limiting the number of vendors, Fisher said, has encouraged those who do participate to come up with specials that have a lot of value for dealers. “If a vendor wants to participate, he needs to come with a good special for our dealers,” Fisher said. At some shows, RSR has included prize giveaways for dealers. “Dealers can enter for daily prizes,” Fisher said. “In the past, we’ve given away $1,000 in credit each day and posted the winners. We do a lot of the same things that are done at a trade show.” That includes “talking” in real time with RSR’s credit department. “If you have a valid customer account with us, you can chat with the credit manager,” Fisher said. With just a “click,” dealers can enter the booth of a manufacturer “exhibiting” at an E-Show. attending several out-of-town dealer shows a year. “I think the trend toward E-Shows is going to continue, especially with the rising cost of fuel that’s translating over into airfare, as well,” Van Brocklin said. At Cheaper Than Dirt, Irwin is well aware of the convenience of attending RSR’s online event. “During one E-Show, we were in the middle of hosting Clint Smith (Thunder Ranch director) for two weeks at our shooting school,” Irwin said. “I was very, very busy. When the E-Show opened online, I simply came down from the range deck and went to my office at the range, logged on and ‘went to town.’ I found some really smoking deals on handguns, ammo and other items in a matter of minutes.” www.shootingindustry.com an Brocklin doesn’t see E-Shows replacing traditional events, such as the SHOT Show. “There’s no replacing the importance of the SHOT Show,” Van Brocklin said. “It’s such a large event and being hands-on is still incredibly important, especially when you’re debuting new products.” Fuller agrees. “We still have to go to at least one show early in the year to see and get hands on the upcoming new products, to get feedback and discuss any problems with manufacturers reps,” Fuller said. However, RSR E-Shows offer significant advantages, including attending two shows at the same time. “We’ve had dealers who were attending a competitor’s (traditional) show, but in the evening, they were on our site placing orders,” Fisher said. “E-shows give dealers a lot of flexibility in their ability to take advantage of what’s out there.” At East Main Trade Center, Fuller says the savings in time and money are the major benefits of E-Shows. “The best thing about the online show is not having to leave your place of business for three or four days, which can be very costly, and then it takes about a week just to catch back up,” he said. “Usually we’ve gone to three trade shows each year, but thanks to my RSR sales rep Jeff Jetton and the RSR E-Shows, we’ve been able to eliminate one road trip and accomplish the same thing.” While the Virtual Trade Show may not replace the SHOT Show, Irwin sees the concept becoming a trend. RSR’s Five Regional Sales Centers “I have been doing this for 20 years and I believe this is the wave of the future. A huge part of the success is that RSR management has spent the time and money to put together a fantastic online program. They have become my main supplier of firearms, ammo and RSR offers 12,000 products from five regional sales centers. accessories because of the ease of the system. I think you will see other companies learn and begin to emulate what RSR has accomplished,” Irwin said. RSR’s future shows will likely be different than those held this year. “It’s a constantly evolving process,” Van Brocklin said. “After every show, we get suggestions from our sales staff and our dealers that make the next show more efficient. The amount of feedback we get both during and after a show is just astounding. We’re still in the infancy stage, and are getting better with each show we do.” RSR Group offers more than 12,000 products from five regional sales centers in the U.S. For more information, including how to become an RSR dealer, visit www.rsrgroup.com. 9 OCTOBER 2008 21 V Wave Of The Future