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December 22, 2017
SHOT Show Update: 10 Articles that Will Help You Thrive at SHOT Show
Months have turned to weeks and with 2018 SHOT Show just around the corner now is the time to get focused. A well thought out plan is vital to one’s success here, with the thousands of exhibitors, attendees and booths it can be easy to get caught up and overwhelmed. Don’t let that be you. There are a lot of important things happening at SHOT Show but here we have chosen a few recent SHOT Show articles that highlight several education sessions and stories that will help you make the most out of the show.
40th Anniversary
This year SHOT Show will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary. To commemorate this event we have asked a handful of today’s top outdoor writers to interview major exhibitors in hopes that their SHOT Show stories, will help you avoid similar mistakes and experience similar triumphs.
1. An interview with New Ultra Light Arms
The company Melvin Forbes started in 1985 made such an impact on the firearms industry, almost every rifle manufacturer tried to offer a similar gun. Learn why Melvin Forbes says his “success was totally dependent on the [SHOT] show.”
2. An interview with Hodgdon Powder
To a reloader, that name represents an industry staple, a company that has been around for nearly as long as modern reloading itself. Chris Hodgdon says, “this industry is based on friendships. SHOT is simply the best opportunity to build on old friendships and to create those new relationships with our dealers.”
Working the Show
“Working the Show” is designed to help retailers and range owners of all sizes realize the most from their time and money spent in Las Vegas every year at SHOT Show, we share how various successful firearms retailers across the country plan for SHOT Week and what they’re looking to accomplish while they’re at the show.
3. Neuse Sports Shop
Neuse Sports Shop has a definite plan when it comes to approaching SHOT Show. Marketing Director Zach Godwin says the company’s on-the-ground marketing plan calls for live-streaming after show hours to let customers know what the buying team is doing and why they’re at SHOT Show.
SHOT Show University
SHOT Show University is a one-day conference taking place Monday, Jan. 22, the day before SHOT Show, featuring high-profile keynote speakers sharing their expertise on leadership, economic forecasting and other important retail topics. Add some of these key sessions into your SHOT plan, registration is open.
4. Julie Golob – Customer Connection
Super star Julie Golob shares how successful leaders manage and motivate by perfecting their communications. Learn what they say, how they say it and who they say it to in order to create lasting productivity in their staff at the session “Leadership Through Influence.”
5. What’s Trending
In business, if you’re not on top of the next big thing, you’re two steps (or more) behind everyone else who is. Gene Marks aims to keep today’s retailer and range owner not just up to speed but out in front of their customers and their competition with the 2018 SHOT Show University session “Technologies, Trends, Services and Tools Every FFL Needs to Know.”
6. Buying vs. Leasing
There are dozens of pros and cons to leasing your retail or range space, just as there are to buying space. How do you secure a space that’s right for your business? Business expert Robbie Brown shares the answer in the session “Buying Versus Leasing — Everything in Life is Negotiable.”
7. Winning the Online Customer
A comprehensive and intelligently designed online presence is essential to the success of today’s FFLs and firearms ranges. But how much is too much? What should you have on your website, when should you have it and, most importantly, is that online presence driving people into your store or otherwise converting their shopping into completed sales? The 2018 SHOT Show University session “New Media Marketing” will go far in answering those questions.
8. Maintaining Retail Relevancy
In the world of retail, owners need to capitalize on every sale opportunity. Take a step back and think: How are other industries driving consumer expectations of what great customer service looks like both now and for years to come? The 2018 SHOT Show University session will really help your business “Maintain Retail Relevancy.”
Executive Management Seminar
The executive management seminar takes place the day before SHOT Show Monday, Jan. 22. These seminars offer specialized training that addresses the needs of industry professionals from up and coming managers to presidents and CEOs.
9. Steven Rinella Adapting to change
From change comes opportunity, and those who embrace changes in the marketplace will have a better chance to succeed, while those who resist may very well fade away. This goes for both companies and individuals.
Join outdoorsman, author and host of the top-rated MeatEater Podcast and the MeatEater TV show, Steven Rinella, during the 2018 SHOT Show Executive Management Seminar “Lessons from the Field: Thriving in a Changing Marketplace.”
Retailer and Range Seminars
The retailer and range seminars run throughout SHOT Show, giving you the flexibility to mix each day with education and exhibits. Each course is designed to help you learn more about industry challenges, better management practices and provide a plethora of information to help shooting ranges and FFLs: Don’t miss out on these great tips.
10. Embracing the Urban Community
Maj Toure, the founder of Black Guns Matter, will be presenting a highly interactive retailer seminar on the misconceptions, myths and successes of engaging urban communities on gun safety, firearms rights and shooting sports participation. Learn what today’s urban demographic wants from a new, straight-talking voice at SHOT Show.
You may also be interested in: SHOT Week: SHOT Show University
Categories: BP Item, Education, Featured, Industry News, Manufacturers, Ranges, Retailers, Top Stories
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