President's Message: We've Arrived at the Finish Line

I was once an avid runner. Not so much anymore. After multiple knee surgeries on both knees and arthritis to go with it, I had to hang up the running shoes many years ago.

But the other day, when asked what it feels like to know that we’re going to host the 2021 NASGW Expo, I surprised myself a bit by saying it reminded me of running a grueling race. Now that I’ve thought about it a bit more, I want to amend that reply. Because I don’t think it’s been like just a plain 3, 5, or 10K race. Rather, I think it’s more like one of those crazy 100-mile “ultra race” events where people run for 24-36 hours straight on some of the harshest terrain you can imagine.

Now, I’ve never run one of these races (though a member of our SCOPE data team has done it), so I can’t say I know exactly how it might feel, but I’ve read and heard enough about them to believe that all the energy, effort, ups/downs, and craziness of a race like that are similar to what it’s been like getting to the point where the NASGW Expo would actually happen.

FEATURED ARTICLES

SCOPE Update and Market Outlook at EXPO

For those of you joining us in Columbus for the Expo, on Thursday, October 28 at 11:30 the SCOPE team will be providing an update on recent developments with SCOPE as well as providing a market review using SCOPE data. The event will include:

• Development and coming features to SCOPE DLX, CLX and PLX from Easton Kuboushek, Director of Data Programs
• Market Review through the lens of SCOPE by Tom Hopper, Senior Data Analyst
• SCOPE PLX and NASGW members becoming the standard managing body of our industry

Event Details:

• Location: Room C161 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center
• Time: Thursday, Oct. 28 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
• Lunch: Provided by NASGW 

Lunch will be provided so please RSVP to help us get a count to insure we have food for all attendees. 

Important Notice to All Exhibitors

The Greater Columbus Convention Center/City of Columbus, will be contacting you prior to the Expo. NASGW recently learned that a Firearms Safety Form will need to be completed by any exhibitor that will have firearms on display in their booth. The form will be asking for information on your firearms products and you must ensure that ALL firearms at the Expo will have firing pins removed.

The Columbus Police Department and GCCC will be conducting safety checks onsite at your booth prior to show opening. Completion of the Safety Form will be required.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

NASGW Announces Nominees for the 2021 Appreciation Awards

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) and their wholesale members have nominated this year's Appreciation Award finalists. Each year, NASGW Awards the top optics, accessory, ammunition, and firearms manufacturers and the leading importer and innovator who best demonstrate a commitment to the two-step distribution process and provide outstanding value and service. Wholesaler members evaluate manufacturers' performance on four key criteria; distribution policy, marketing, sales, and promotion; logistics and operations; and NASGW and industry support. This comprehensive assessment of manufacturer performance is designed to provide a more balanced appraisal that truly recognizes the best of the best, according to NASGW distributor members.

Attention Exhibitors: 2022 Booth Pick Times

Please don't forget that we will be scheduling booth pick times next week at the Expo to select your booth for 2022. You will receive an email later this week with your scheduled appointment time. If you have any questions, please reach out to Meg Pawelski for assistance. We look forward to seeing you all next week in Ohio.

NASGW & POMA Announce Finalists  for the 2021 Caliber Awards

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) in partnership with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), have chosen the top three products in six categories including: Best New Rifle, Best New Handgun, Best New Shotgun, Best New Ammunition, Best New Optic, and Best New Accessory. An independent panel of 18 industry judges, comprised of NASGW members and POMA members, selected the finalists in each category. In order to qualify, manufacturers needed to be a NASGW member in good standing and the product must have been publicly released between November 2020 and prior to this year’s Expo. "Despite the cancelation of last year's NASGW Expo, the Caliber Awards have continued to grow in notoriety across the shooting sports industry," said Kenyon Gleason, NASGW president. "This year we have another lineup of outstanding finalists for each of our six categories and we can't wait to announce the winners at the Expo in Columbus, Ohio."

October SCOPE DLX Update

We hope you all will join us in Columbus, for an in-depth look at SCOPE data from the past year. All reporting and data will be sourced from SCOPE DLX and SCOPE CLX and will demonstrate how your business can leverage the power of this data to understand what is happening in the market.  

Firearms Shipments

Ammunition Shipments

Optics Shipments

COVID-19 Details for the Expo

As the 2021 NASGW Expo approaches, we encourage you to stay abreast of COVID-19 updates and local regulations in place so that you can be aware and prepared. NASGW strongly suggests that if you are not vaccinated, you wear a mask throughout the duration of your time at the Expo. The Greater Columbus Convention Center is currently requiring that masks be worn inside by everyone, whether vaccinated or not. Please be sure to have a mask available during your stay. We want everyone to be treated with respect and dignity at the Expo while fostering an environment conscious of the appropriate needs of those in attendance. Check out this Know Before You Go link to find out more information about COVID updates from the city of Columbus. 

SCOPE Data Helps Executives Make Big Decisions

Executives, including those in the shooting sports industry, have the opportunity to lead their business into a more data-driven culture. One Harvard Business Review study, which surveyed 646 executives, managers and professionals from all industries around the globe, found many corporations are integrating data capture and analysis into their decision-making processes. In fact, many business executives are enhancing their skills to allow them to integrate analytical tools into their business decision-making practices.

Now, let’s get one thing straight. Intuition and the knowledge that comes with experience are still incredibly important in decision-making. But data has proven to be yet another tool to substantiate those decisions and help executives move forward with objective information in mind.

City of Columbus Updates Mask Ordinance

The Columbus City Council has passed an indoor mask ordinance which now require masks to be worn when inside a building. This ordinance is in effect until further notice.

Exemptions are:

• Certain medical or behavioral conditions
• Children under 6 years old
• Actively eating or drinking
• Actively engaged in exercise, sport, coaching or officiating
• Giving a performance or speech
• Religious facilities
• First Responders (police, fire, EMTs)

For the most current updates from the Greater Columbus Convention Center please visit the website below.

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• Port Congestion Causing Supply Chain Issues
• Trudeau Ramps Up Gun Control Promises
• CEOs Weigh-In on the Post Pandemic Workplace
• Big Tech Taking Over Digital Banking
• Big Government Provides Some Data

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 27-29, 2021

NASGW Expo

Columbus, OH

January 18-22, 2022

SHOT Show

Las Vegas, NV

January 25-27, 2022

NAW 2022 Executive Summit

Washington, D.C.

February 5-13, 2022

Great American Outdoor Show

Harrisburg, PA

May 27-29, 2022

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Houston, TX