The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), the association representing shooting sports wholesalers, manufacturers, and their trade partners, announced the winners of their annual Appreciation and Caliber Awards during their Appreciation Dinner at the NASGW Expo, in Kansas City, MO.

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.

PRESS RELEASE

Ankeny, IA (October 12, 2022) –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. 

PRESS RELEASE

Ankeny, IA (October 11, 2022) - 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.

Yes folks, it is Expo time. I'm sure you are all putting the final touches on your plans for Kansas City, crossing all your Ts and dotting all your Is. We will kick off the Expo with our annual Appreciation Dinner in a few short weeks, and I'm incredibly excited. The Expo has always been the most efficient week of the year for me. I get to meet with all my vendors and get down to business. I'm not fighting big crowds or navigating a massive show floor. I get to see all the key contacts in a short amount of time, all in one place. It's truly the most productive week.

Keeping a promise can be hard work.

They say change is inevitable, and it’s very easy to see in our industry. It seems like we are constantly dealing with changing legislation, changes in consumer trends, changes in regulation, changes in public perception, changes in supporters of our industry, and changes in our staff. Most changes hurt the way we do business. We’ve grown accustomed to making adjustments and overcoming challenges. Lately, these changes have felt like an ever-tightening noose designed to strangle our businesses into submission or to squeeze us out altogether. One thing that hasn’t changed much in the last 30 years is NASGW.

Ankeny, IA (August 4, 2022) - The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), the association representing shooting sports wholesalers, manufacturers and their trade partners, is pleased to welcome its newest Board Member, Ryan Link of Big Rock Sports. 

The dog days of summer are setting in around South Carolina. That means smoldering temperatures will be with us another month or two. Our city planners in Columbia weren’t the most creative when they coined the phrase, “Famously Hot.” Visitors to our fine city were greeted with this slogan (or warning) as they arrived via our airport. Billboards around the city reminded residents and travelers alike that there was little we could do outside unless we were at the lake or in an air-conditioned building.

As the summer daylight wanes, I’ll look forward to more activities and the fall festivals that ramp up as temps get more bearable. In the mean time, as you read this, I’ll probably be in North Carolina hosting our first dealer show since pre-covid times. It certainly is nice to be able to gather for business or fun without dealing with mask mandates or restrictions!