· SHOT SHOW BUCKS TREND WITH NEAR-RECORD ATTENDANCE . . . At a time when
other industries' trade shows attendance figures have been below historic
levels, the SHOT SHOW bucked the trend, attracting the second highest
turnout ever.
As previously reported in Bullet Points, exhibition space was sold out for
the first time in the show's history, with more than 1,400 exhibitors
occupying a record 495,000 net square feet. In addition, and perhaps the
most welcome surprise for show organizers, attendance at the 2002 Show
reached near-record levels.

Final figures show that 18,549 buyers attended the show, just 200 shy of
the record-setting 18,743 that came to Las Vegas in 1997. Attendance was
significantly higher than both the 2000 Las Vegas show, and the 2001 New
Orleans show that was attended by 13,000 buyers. Overall 2002 attendance
was 31,038, which includes 11,184 exhibitors and 1,305 media personnel.
International visitors totaled 1,469 buyers.

"While there are many factors that resulted in the excellent attendance at
the 2002 SHOT SHOW, one overriding fact is that this outstanding turnout
indicates the healthy state of our industry as well as the unity it has
displayed in the face of unprecedented challenges. Based on broad-based
reports of strong sales at the Show, our industry should feel good about
the potential for a promising year ahead," said Bob Delfay, NSSF president
and CEO and chairman of the SHOT SHOW Committee.

And I can say I was there when it all happened.

Woohoo!

Hi.