Can you believe it is already time for the NASGW Expo? If you are anything like me, you and your teams are scrambling to get all your ducks in a row for another busy week at NASGW. This year’s event is a big milestone, celebrating 50 years of the NASGW Expo. This event dates back to 1974 and we’ve only missed one year since then, 2020.  NASGW may not be as well-known as NRA or NSSF, but the work that our members and board of directors is accomplishing on behalf of the industry is beginning to make impact.  

I had the opportunity to speak with several friends in the industry over the past couple of weeks and a common reoccurring topic that continues to drive our conversations has almost exclusively been around company culture.  There’s no doubt that many of our organizations have changed over the years, some for the better, and others for the worse.  Change is an inescapable reality, but what we often fail to do is to protect the very values that once drove our past successes.

What is happening in our country today is, at the very least, unprecedented. The failed assassination attempt of former President Trump followed by the withdraw of President Biden from this November's ballot, are all adding to the plot of an uncertain fall election cycle.

Oh, what summer has brought us!  From record high temperatures to torrential rainfall across many parts of the country, mother nature has its own way of creating chaos and panic. However, we can’t always avoid natural occurrences that come our way, and sometimes, mother nature can be easier to deal with than our own self-inflicted disarray and discord.

There’s been a lot of discussion about the economic effects of consumer spending and consumer confidence lately.  According to one article I read, there have been signs of spending fatigue and a shift from discretionary products to more essential products.

Summer has undoubtedly hit early for our industry.  Conversation with many of you over the past few weeks has confirmed that orders are easing off, and foot traffic seems to be a bit sluggish in retail.

The Easter spirit can mean many things to many people. For some, it's a religious observance of a risen Savior, and for others a celebration of Spring and rebirth. Either way, there are lessons to be learned and practical applications that can be implemented within our own lives and businesses today.

Spring is finally upon us; well… officially, March 19^th. Our weather this season has been less than predictable; frigid one day and record highs the next. Here in the south, trees are beginning to bloom, allergies already flaring, and peaks of color springing forth everywhere. Spring has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I’m a diehard turkey hunter and for those of you who’ve also been bitten by this bug, there’s nothing like the excitement and hair-raising experience of hearing your first gobble at daylight. Spring has also been traditionally a time for getting things back in order. Whether we’re “Spring Cleaning”, working through your list of “Honey Do’s”, or just saying our goodbyes to Jack Frost; Spring brings forth new life and new beginnings.

Yes, it’s come and gone, another SHOT show has passed. Whether this was your first time attending or you’re a seasoned veteran, the overwhelming grandeur of SHOT Show is undoubtedly an experience that you will never forget. According to the NSSF data, it was another record-breaking year with more than 13 miles of aisles and 55,000 registered attendees.

Well, we’ve wrapped up another year, hard to believe. It seems like we’re always amazed by how fast the year slips by. I’m grateful to have worked in the industry for more than 25 years.