NSSF Says SHOT Show 2021 Still 'All Systems Go'

Following on the heels of announced cancellations of large trade shows over COVID-19 concerns, the trade group for the gun industry says their big 2021 show is still on track.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation's Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show, commonly just referred to as Shot Show has been a facet of American gun culture since 1979. Held for the past decade in Las Vegas, the SHOT 2021 is set for the Sands Expo Center and Caesar's Forum on Jan. 19-22 and is set to be NSSF's largest event, spanning 730,000 sq. feet.

However, this year's NRA Show, the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers trade show, and others have been scrubbed in compliance with COVID-19 responses. While some trade shows have cautiously resumed  last week the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, set to take place just prior to SHOT 2021, pulled the plug on next year's event, sparking concerned calls to the NSSF.

"Rest assured, we are all systems go and we are working around the clock (our sleep patterns these days) in planning to ensure our customers’ and employees’ health and safety are at the forefront throughout our time in Las Vegas,"  said Chris Dolnack, NSSF's Senior VP and CMO. "With six months until the show, we are fortunate that we will be able to learn a lot from other shows taking place in other countries before ours."

Dolnack said the CES cancellation, while disappointing, has a silver lining in the fact that it frees up more resources in Las Vegas for SHOT.

"And, with six months to go, both the Sands Expo and Caesars Forum are nearly sold out for SHOT, making it our largest floorplan ever," said Dolnack. "We are well-positioned to make this the best SHOT Show we’ve ever held, and we are very much looking forward to reuniting as an industry in Las Vegas in January."

The NSSF says they are paying close attention to the guidance offered by state and federal agencies and to news from the medical community, along with developments impacting the trade show, travel, and hospitality industries. The group is also outlining safety protocols they are  currently considering and as the show gets closer, they will update it as needed.

Guns.com