Just seeing if any of you are attending Shot Show 2019?
Pass. Unless you are truly industry or press, it’s just a bunch of sweaty dudes reeking of booze fondling guns, looking for freebees, and pretending to be someone. And don’t forget the Asians taking photos of guns for their airsoft knock offs.
Yeah, I passed the last two years. Only reason to attend any more for me personally is to attend the demo day ( Tuesday.) Nothing I am excited enough about this year to miss a couple days with my family.
After 6 consecutive years, I am passing. It has gotten very boring. Last year I only spent 3 hrs or so in the show.
I’ve found that in the past 12 years attending off and on, it’s not so much about the show but getting to see old friends and making new ones. That and the mil/LE range day.
That said, won’t be making it in 2019 due to other commitments but will try to make it in 2020.
Haha! Damn Asians…
I was recently awarded a patent and a patent pending status for a device that I came up with. I and going to Shot Show, not to promote my product or even to discuss it but just to see this industry as a whole. I wanted to get a good feel for this industry before I commit to further product development or future capital injections to keep funding this project. I’m hoping to meet some people, and see what others have to offer. I’ve never been before, so this will be my first time. I do have connections in Vegas so my suite is on the house as well as any show I want to attend. So I am only paying for flight and $70 for convention.
Having said that, what would you recommend for me having no experience? Where should I start? What should I concentrate on? I’m really wanting to come back with a lot of knowledge on this industry as a whole.
I’m probably only going to catch media day this year, but I might be able to swing a day or two at the show.
It’s a huge convention and even after 4 days you may not see it all, so wear good walking shoes! Also load up on vitamin C as the shot show crud everyone seems to catch is no joke.
The main floor is where all the big brand name booths are, and as fun as it is going to see the huge booths and stuff, the smaller rooms on the sides and the bottom floor give you more chance to interact on a personal level with the vendors and the people behind the products. The after show parties are another good place to make excellent contacts.
If I could get in, I would go. But I am not industry or FFL so I can’t get in.
Yeah, I wish. 
(1) Wear comfortable shoes for walking
(2) Wear deodorant and brush your teeth
(3) Bring a backpack but only take freebees that you REALLY like / Want. You’ll learn to hate the idiots pulling the carts full of manuals / books / worthless crap etc.
(4) Map out places / companies / people you want to see, then make a plan to get to all of those places over time otherwise you will likely miss some of them.
One year…I will go. Not this year though.
You nailed it out of the park with that reply!!! There needs to be much better standards in place for SHOT to curb the clowns, and bring it back to the way it used to be.
I’ll be attending. My first one as well.
I totally get this. I’m a regular at the Wannenmacher Arms Show in Tulsa. While it’s a public show, the broad slice of humanity can be ‘interesting’.
One of my best friends from high school is industry and has invited me. I’ll be the wide eyed country bumpkin in the big city, but do know how to behave myself. I’m also home trained and know how to wear deodorant and brush my teeth 
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an amazing, fun, overwhelming experience the first time, especially the first day you are there.
So much stuff, so many people, NRA / TV personalities, etc, etc.
But then reality sinks in and it’s just a huge gun show where nothing is for sale and you are getting little to nothing out of the event, unless you are industry / press / seriously ‘in the business’ of buying - selling guns - ie long term orders, BD work, relationships, etc.
People watching is half the fun after the shine wears off. Enjoy it!
I understand all that. I’m going for the experience and to say I’ve been. It’s also a good excuse to get away from school for a couple days, and get together with an old friend in a town I’ve never been to. The wife isn’t exactly happy about me going without her and the kids, but I bought off on her getting primo tickets to Pink for her and her brother. I think I got a fair deal
Its fun.
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I’ll be there!
I would greatly appreciate it, if anyone going can pick up an extra Geissele coupon for me. I understand that the codes on it are valid for only one transaction. Thank you in advance!
They could if they wanted, but the optics of only 25,000 going to SHOT is not what they want. It is not even “SHOT” Show anymore it is “SHOMLET” Shooting, Hunting, Outdoors, Military, Law Enforcement Trade" Show. You cannot grow the show to other markets and then shrink it at same time.
What it needs IMO is a bigger venue and not having stuff on 5 different floors and dozens of rooms.