President's Message: Kansas City Here We Come

Social media… some people love it and others absolutely hate it. I see it more as a necessary evil. I know it can be great for companies getting their message out. It’s phenomenal to stay in touch with family and friends. But unfortunately, in many respects, it’s also become a hive of nastiness just waiting for an opportunity to sting you.

I also give social media partial blame, along with email and texts, for people refusing to pick up the phone and make a doggone call. I guess I’m old-school, but seriously, a phone call can often solve things a lot faster and makes it less likely there will be confusion or misunderstanding.

FEATURED ARTICLES

NASGW & POMA Announce Caliber Award Finalists

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 after November 1st, 2021. 

"Each year I get excited to see all the new products submitted for the Caliber Awards," said Kenyon Gleason, NASGW president. "There were so many innovative products to choose from and we have another lineup of outstanding finalists. It truly is an honor just to be a finalist for the Caliber Awards."

NASGW Announces Appreciation Award Nominees

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 along with the leading importer and innovator, who best demonstrate a commitment to the two-step distribution while providing outstanding service value. "NASGW's Appreciation Awards are an opportunity for our wholesale members to recognize the top manufacturers that support two-step distribution," said Kenyon Gleason, NASGW President. "We can't wait to see who wins later this month." 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.

EXHIBITOR REMINDER: Don't Forget Your 2023 Products & Pricing

Before you head to Kansas City, we want to help ensure that your trip to the Expo is a success, so make sure you come prepared. As a request from our wholesalers, please be prepared at the Expo to discuss your product line up and pricing for 2023. Many wholesalers are planning marketing and communications, and lead time for for some placements is as much as 8 weeks. Distributors are making decisions about the 2023 marketing based on this information, so the earlier you share this information, the better. To help your distributors be as successful as possible promoting your products, please come prepared. 

Decision Time: Establishing a Vision & Gaining Clarity Through Data

It was January 2015. I just started as president of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW). My first official workday was the opening day of the 2015 SHOT Show.

It was impressive. I had to pinch myself a few times during the week to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. It was a bit of a “kid in the candy store” kind of moment. I grew up shooting guns and hunting, so being able to work in the shooting sports industry was a big highlight. I still don’t take it for granted.

As with any new job, there were a lot of “firsts” throughout the first year. My first NRA convention. First-time visits to many industry manufacturing leaders. The first time helping to plan and lead the NASGW Expo and Annual Meeting. 2015, and all these “firsts,” were a blur.

Annual SCOPE Update at the NASGW Expo

Have you registered for the SCOPE Update Luncheon at this year's Expo? Please join us on Thursday, October 27th, during the Expo for a full SCOPE update. We will cover additional categories in DLX, how your business can utilize PLX, and the addition of 500+ retail stores supplying data to SCOPE CLX as well as a market update from NASGW's Senior Data Analyst, Tom Hopper. New for 2023, NASGW will also be making SCOPE more accessible to all members with new levels of access and reporting. NASGW will provide lunch for all pre-registered attendees. Please register by October 19th, to help us determine a headcount for the event. The meeting will be held in a Lobby Level meeting room of the KCCC, directly past the Registration area.

Time is Running Out to Update Your Exhibitor Profile for the Expo Website & App

The Expo is almost here and we want you to put your best foot forward on the new NASGW Expo App. New for 2022, the all-new app features a simplified interface, a much improved interactive map, and interactive Exhibitor profiles, managed directly by the Exhibitors. Exhibitors are able to add their logo, company description, photos & videos, as well as products & services. Exhibitors can request access this portal to update your profile by clicking below.

Q3 SCOPE Report Will Be Available At The Expo

NASGW will be releasing the Q3 SCOPE Report at this year's NASGW Expo. Current users will be able to download the report digitally. The SCOPE Report is quickly becoming one of the most accurate and relevant resources for sales and inventory analysis, in the shooting sports industry. 

“With each quarter, the SCOPE report is becoming a more valued resource to measure and analyze industry sales activity," said Easton Kuboushek, NASGW Director of Data Programs. "Business are starting to look forward to the report to see how their results stack up to the rest of the industry.”

The Q3 SCOPE Report will be made available to Expo Attendees next week. Please be on the look out for communications from NASGW regarding this release. 

Get Your Annual Appreciation Dinner Tickets

With the NASGW Expo kicking off next week in Kansas City, don't forget to purchase your tickets to the Annual Appreciation Dinner. Space for the dinner is limited and we've had a great early interest this year. If you'd like to attend, don't wait until the last minute. Purchase your tickets now. Click below to access the Exhibitor or Attendee Portals to purchase ahead of time. 

NASGW To Expand SCOPE Access for Member

As SCOPE continues to expand, NASGW is excited to provide greater accessibility for member. To learn more, be sure to attend this years Annual SCOPE Update on Thursday during the Expo. Register by October 19th to have lunch provided. Anyone who registers after October 19th will not be provided lunch, but is welcome to attend.  

Firearms Shipments

Ammunition Shipments

Optics Shipments

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• Court Dismisses Mexico's Lawsuit Against U.S. Firearms Manufacturers
• Do's and Don'ts of Effective Distribution Pricing
• Biden Administration Exceeding Its Authority Under New Gun Laws
• Data is Key to Managing Inventory Amid Disruptions
• Why Distributors Should Reinvent, Rather Than Innovate

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 26-28, 2022

NASGW Expo

Kansas City, MO

January 17-20, 2023

SHOT Show

Las Vegas, NV

March 27-28, 2023

Shooting Sports Showcase

Talladega, AL

April 14-16, 2023

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Indianapolis, IN