Chairman's Message: Vision

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech are powerful examples of visions shared. They had the ability to conceptualize the future with imagination and wisdom. That kind of vision has been and will continue to be the focus of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW).

Many years ago, the NASGW had the vision to create an interface between manufacturers and distributors to facilitate the sharing of new product and price information. This would then be used to create and print catalogs. Thus, the Expo was created. But that vision became less relevant as the need for print media waned. The business world has changed and the Expo, although still useful, became less critical for both manufacturers and distributors.

FEATURED ARTICLES

Last month, NASGW Wholesale members met in Nashville to discuss the current state of the industry, analyze challenges impacting business, and review NASGW strategic initiatives. Sixteen wholesale businesses were represented in the two-day gathering, which sparked great conversations, a wealth of ideas, and specific actions NASGW will bring to the larger membership during the Expo in October. In its fifth year, the Wholesaler Summit has been a great opportunity for wholesalers to come together over issues that are impacting the industry and wholesale distribution. The mantra, "we are stronger together" clearly resonates in these discussions and helps advance NASGW's strategic planning. Thank you to all the wholesale members that attended. We appreciate your contributions and look forward to strengthening two-step distribution across the shooting sports industry.

Exhibitor Booth Pick Times for 2024 Expo

NSSF joins with others in raising awareness for National Suicide Prevention Month throughout September. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. NSSF partners with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the largest suicide prevention organization in America, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide firearm retailers and ranges the resources needed to have a brave conversation and prevent the tragedy of suicide. NSSF just released two new videos of Kassandra and Caylin Wojcik, along with other resources available on NSSF’s Real Solutions. Safer Communities^® website. The two co-founded Modern Day Sniper, a marksmanship training school, and have dealt with the lasting impacts of suicide in their own lives. They – and NSSF – encourage all to become familiar with available resources, reach out to those suffering suicidal ideations and stop a tragedy. Assistance is a phone call away by dialing 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

September 1st marked the cutoff for discounted Expo Registration. If you have not yet registered, we encourage you to book your badges as early as possible. With an increasing number of exhibitors, we anticipate a busy Expo. Badges are purchased separately for exhibitor booths, and every attendee must have one to enter the Expo. Follow the registration instructions on our website to verify your membership, enter your information for your name badge, purchase Appreciation Dinner tickets, and make your payment. You’ll save time during checkin at the Expo in Columbus and avoid long lines. 

We are only a couple of months away from the 2023 NASGW Expo, and the opportunities to grab some attention are running out. Play a key role in this year’s NASGW Expo by sponsoring an event! Sponsoring the Expo is a great way to get more exposure and start conversations about your company. We still have sponsorship opportunities available for a variety of budgets. Opportunities range from sponsoring the Appreciation Dinner to Happy Hour food sponsors. Enjoy the perks of being an event sponsor! For more information or to discuss custom opportunities, visit the NASGW Expo website or contact Meg Pawelski at mpawelski@nasgw.org.

In June 2022, the BSCA was signed into law, which included language that amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to prohibit ESEA funds from being used for training school personnel in the use of a “dangerous weapon”, which is defined in federal statute as “a weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except that such term does not include a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2½ inches in length”. Unfortunately, this sweeping definition is impacting many programs that are foundational to our sporting heritage such as wilderness courses, archery in schools, hunter education, school sponsored shooting teams, etc. Unfortunately, because of the plain definition of “dangerous weapon”, the BSCA language is limiting the funding opportunities for the aforementioned school programs that are critically important activities for America’s youth.

SCOPE Data Update Reminder

As quick reminder, NASGW deployed a significant update last month to SCOPE DLX, which includes additional data from three new participating distributors. SCOPE users may have noticed the following changes:

• Increased/improved historical data back to 2019
• Increases in weekly volume
• Some additional products
• Enhanced UPC tagging

Firearms Shipments

Ammunition Shipments

Optics Shipments

NASGW recently launched a new Linked In profile to help us connect with existing members and the industry. Linked In will be a great outlet for our team to share information about SCOPE data trends, events, and industry information. Please be sure to follow our new Linked In account to stay connected digitally. 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

October 24-27, 2023

NASGW Expo

Columbus, OH

January 23-26, 2024

SHOT Show

Las Vegas, NV

January 30 - February 1, 2024

NAW Executive Summit

Washington D.C.

May 17-19, 2024

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Dallas, TX