Can you believe it is time for the NASGW Expo? Seem like just yesterday we were in San Antonio. In a couple of weeks, we will be once again meeting to discuss the victories and defeats of 2018 and working to make 2019 as successful as possible. For me, this is one of my favorite weeks of the year, and I look forward to seeing lots of familiar faces, hearing about new products, planning out the upcoming year, and strengthening relationships across the industry. The NASGW Expo is the best opportunity each year to work together with our industry partners to chart the course forward and make our industry better.

The 2018 Caliber Awards Finalists have been selected for the 2nd annual NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) in partnership with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), have chosen the top 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 will select the winners in each category as well as a Best Overall New Product. In order to qualify, manufacturers needed to be a NASGW member in good standing, the product must have been publicly released between the end of last year’s NASGW Expo and the beginning of this year’s Expo, and submission of the products was required through the NASGW Expo New Product Showcase, found on the NASGW Expo website and NASGW Connect mobile app.

In the world of modern supply chain management, technology is driving manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to be more proficient when handing products and product data. Current supply and retailing methods, such as, ‘Just-in-time’, auto-replenishment, and eCommerce dictate that product data, and the management of inventory, be as accurate as possible. From purchase order creation to report generation, accurate item information plays a pivotal role in effective execution of many retailing and manufacturing operating procedures.

On September 18, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee marked up and passed S. 593, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act.

This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Senators Shelley More Capito (WV), John Boozman (AR), Michael Bennet (CO), and CSC Vice-Chair Heidi Heitkamp (ND).

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), the association representing shooting sports wholesalers, manufacturers, and their trade partners, is proud to announce the nominees for this year's NASGW Leadership Awards.

I’ve been writing a lot about change lately in columns and articles for industry publications. Maybe it’s the time of year, the change to fall colors, or the change from summer to hunting season. Regardless, there are many changes taking place in our shooting sports industry right now.

And all this reflection on change reminded me of a time in high school when late one day I went swimming at a lake called Battle Lake, very near my childhood home. It was a hot August day. And one of those days when you just knew the thunderstorms were coming.

In the upcoming weeks, several hurricanes, tropical systems and torrential rains will have sweeping impact across the nation, including Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs).  As a result, many Licensees must be prepared for disaster and, if disaster strikes, take decisive action to ensure the security of their business premises and regulated records. ATF has issued a Special Advisory regarding disaster preparedness for FFL Licensees potentially impacted by Hurricane Florence.

On September 7, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the opening of more than 251,000 acres to new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

It is that time of year where shooting sports wholesalers and manufacturers are starting to prepare for the upcoming year. We may still have a few months left in the year, but planning out product launches, sales strategies, budgets, and marketing plans to promote products doesn't happen overnight. That is where the NASGW Expo comes into play. The NASGW Expo is a four-day event that brings together wholesale buyers and manufacturers to layout the sales plan for the next year. This event is closed to the public and attendees must be members of NASGW. The Expo is where the business side of the shooting sports industry happens. This year's Expo will be held in Pittsburgh, PA and we are all looking forward to seeing old friends, getting a pulse of the industry, and discussing ways to improve in 2019.