The National Shooting Sports Foundation has issued this press release announcing their new SHOT Show management partner, ConvExx. Earlier this year, NSSF ended its three decades long relationship with UK-based Reed Exhibitions after they restricted the sale of Modern Sporting Rifles at a large industry show unrelated to SHOT Show.
NEWTOWN, Conn. — After an extensive national search involving the trade show industry’s top management companies, the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) has selected ConvExx as its new SHOT Show® management partner. ConvExx replaces longtime NSSF partner Reed Exhibitions.
Based in Las Vegas, ConvExx is privately held and has produced more than 200 shows and events, working with more than a million exhibitors and attendees. ConvExx produces the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, which at nearly 1 million net square feet and 135,000 attendees is ranked as the fourth largest trade show in America by Trade Show Executive magazine (SHOT Show is ranked 16th).
“We’re excited to have ConvExx on board as our new management partner,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “ConvExx offers a unique combination of extensive large-show and Las Vegas experience, which will serve our exhibitors and attendees well.”
“We’re thrilled to be selected to help NSSF manage the SHOT Show,” said ConvExx Chairman Chuck Schwartz. “The SHOT Show is one of the premier trade show events, and we are proud to be associated with NSSF and the shooting sports industry.”
The SHOT Show — the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show — is owned and sponsored by NSSF. It is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries. The 2014 SHOT Show will be held Jan. 14-17 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.
NSSF has made some really smart moves while making this change in their production company. The first was hiring Chris Tatulli away from Reed. Chris was the interface between the exhibitors and the show, and the keeper of the wait list. That list came with him when he went to work with NSSF.
I don’t know ConvExx yet, but it sounds like they’ve chosen a real pro to produce their show, based on them already producing SEMA. It sure looks like good things are on the horizon.
Now if they can just find a way to get back to the LVCC to get rid of the wait list altogether…