Here we are less than a week away from the NRA Annual Meeting 2023. My team and I are eager to board a plane on Thursday to be a part of the excitement and to support our clients who are there showing off some of their latest and greatest products. While this show has a heavy pro-2nd Amendment focus, it is also one that really promotes strong values across the board. I always enjoy going to SHOT each year, matter of fact that is one of my favorite tradeshows; but the feel on that floor vs. NRA is quite different.
Because the NRA show is more of a consumer event vs SHOT being one you have to have industry credentials to attend it changes the dynamic a bit. When you are walking the halls of NRA it is common to have young people running around, matter of fact the final day of the show has been dubbed NRA Youth Day! Unfortunately, this year we fly out on the last day so I will miss it, but I still have vivid memories of last year’s Youth Day. Nothing like watching little ones practicing archery, bull roping, shooting and interacting with the police.
While our schedules are always crazy at these shows, this year has a wide offering of forums and events that I am hoping to attend. The best part about the seminars here is that most of the educational events are free. Those events that do have a cost often offer dinner or other benefits which far outweigh what you pay. I was super bummed to be missing the auction and dinner event which is being held the day before the show opens – although I am pretty sure my pocketbook is happy about that scheduling miss.
One of the forums that happens there, which always garners large groups, is the NRA-ILA leadership forum. This year they have a good list of speakers coming to that event: NRA leaders, President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and a plethora of Senators and Governors who support gun rights from around the state.
On Saturday, the 15th, the Annual Meeting of Members occurs. This is where the NRA board is chosen and where some pretty exciting voting takes place. They also do something pretty cool there where they announce both the oldest and the youngest NRA members in attendance. Last year the oldest NRA member hailed from Cincinnati OH while the youngest came from Pflugerville TX.
While all the NRA sanctioned events are exciting, there is equally exciting stuff happening at the booths. I am eager to go and check out some of the latest innovations from our clients and friends in the industry. I also love planning out my visits so they happen when said booths have celebrity appearances scheduled.
Andrei Arlovski, former UFC Heavyweight Champion, YouTuber sootch00 Don Porter, and Nils Jonasson, Captain of the Canik shooting team, are all partnering up with Century Arms and will be at their booth most of the show. Carl Marino, star of Homicide Hunter, will be at the Castle Tactical booth most of Saturday. Colion Noir, another pro-2nd amendment YouTuber, will be splitting his time at the Nosler and Daniel Defense booths on Saturday afternoon. The Talking Lead Podcast will be at the KelTec booth each day of the show. Last but not least; Sammy Davis, Medal of Honor recipient, will be at the Vista Outdoor booth for a book signing on Friday.
With that line-up it sounds like next week is really shaping up to be a busy one! I am eager to see the many product innovations that hit the floor as well as to make new industry friends.
See you in Indianapolis!
