Sometimes, words just don’t do justice to the way a person feels about his level of gratitude and gratefulness. I always try to be polite, to say please and thank you. But from time to time, it seems like such a shallow thing, like you just want to dig deeper and say more, because the people or the situation calls for “more words.”

There’s an old adage, “more is not always better.” So, while I want to write multiple paragraphs of stuff – the reality is, I’m not sure what I could say that would mean more than those two simple words – Thank You.

Thank You to the multitude of distributors, manufacturers, sales and service companies, industry partners and individuals who helped make the 50th Expo celebration in Kansas City one of the best ever.

Anytime you produce a show, there are bound to be a few hiccups. And of course there were. But the overwhelming majority of feedback I have received from the show has been exceptionally positive. Not only did the show go well, but members and participants felt like they really got their money’s worth at this year’s Expo.

As I always try to do, I make my rounds on the show floor and if I am not stopped, I make a point of stopping at dozens of random booths, both new exhibitors and old. Truthfully, not one exhibitor had anything negative to share at all. Not only were participants in the Expo happy with the way it was organized, but they were also happy with the level of business taking place on the floor. It seemed as if there was a strong energy of optimism in the room. I’ll be conservative and call it cautious optimism, but it was positive all the same.

It is exhilarating to have that happen. I agree it was a great show and having that sort of positive reaction to our 50th Expo makes it all the more gratifying. NASGW has conducted this show every single year since 1974, except for the year a pandemic got in the way. And, God willing, we’ll host the show every year for the next 50 as well.

Distribution, and the distributor members of NASGW, are growing stronger, learning more, and getting better at what they do. Today, more than ever, the distribution channel in the shooting sports industry is strong. On behalf of our NASGW distributor Board of Directors, and the entirety of our distribution community, let me say humbly, Thank You for your support of distribution and your support of the NASGW Expo. None of it happens without you, our members.

I hope you had a great Expo. I look forward to seeing you in Grapevine, Texas next year at the Gaylord Texan. (Yes, we are already working on plans for that show.)

I also want to wish you all a successful fall sales season. Things could get interesting here in the next couple weeks. I am hoping that all of you get out and vote, and I’m praying that those we elect to represent us will stand strong for the 2nd Amendment and our rights to keep and bear arms.

I’m humbled by you all. Thank you.

Until next time,

Kenyon Gleason
NASGW President