More than 50,000 members of the shooting industry who anticipated gathering in Las Vegas, NV, from Jan. 19-22, 2021, to attend the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show are busy canceling their reservations this week. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)—organizer and host of the annual event—announced on its cancellation on Friday.
It is the largest annual firearm-related show in the world, despite the fact it is not open to the public. Every major manufacturer, distributor, retailer and member of the firearm media attends from across the globe. The event generates roughly $90 million on non-gaming revenue for the Las Vegas economy annually.
It’s also when most companies introduce their latest products, and American Rifleman’s extensive coverage of the industry’s latest and greatest at it include some of the most popular stories and videos on this website. Our staff remains dedicated to providing the timely information and will do so as companies make information and test samples available.
The cancellation was not an easy decision, a fact reflected by NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi in his announcement. “NSSF has remained in constant communication with Nevada officials throughout the year in our planning for the 2021 show,” he wrote. “While there has been a concerted effort to expand the allowable levels for large gatherings by the county and state, with positivity rates peaking during our key planning period we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 show. Sadly, these spikes are currently transpiring worldwide. Given the sheer complexities, diminishing timeline and immense logistical planning required to conduct a trade show as large as SHOT, NSSF simply could not move forward at this point with so many unknowns and variables.”
The SHOT Show attracts every major manufacturer across the globe, and the prospect of renewed international travel bans or lengthy isolation orders were a growing concern. Pandemic guidelines currently in place in Nevada and not likely to improve also mandate maximum show sizes of 1,000 people and, even then, a limit of 250 per room—less than the number who attend evening events and most of the gathering’s major seminars.
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