The reality of physics and time severely limit the number of exhibits that an attendee can effectively process during the four day event. Using a simple story mathematical problem, if one were to spend an average of one minute at each of Shot Show 1,600 vendors, over 26 hours of time would be needed to complete the arduous task.
This equates to roughly 6 hours and 36 minutes per day of non-stop hummingbird-style frenetic and efficient constant movement. When asked about how to logically quantify the vast scope of the show one exhibitor provided a sensible response, “Don’t try and enjoy the ride.”
The simple six word phrase is easy enough to comprehend, but with the excitement and intrigue generated by three separate stories of people and products, logic does not always dictate a favorable outcome. On day three of the event, this notion was apparent as the bustling and controlled-chaotic feel of Monday and Tuesday, was replaced by a sense of laboring fatigue and subsequent complacency as the once roaring seas of crowds and merely bubbled through the various causeways of the Sands Convention Center. It didn’t help that the aqua blue sunny skies above the Strip were replaced by clouds. With the absence of a rush hour traffic feel, most exhibitors were content to interact on issues from self-defense to the Presidential Inauguration during the lulls in walk-up customers. While overall sales figures for the firearm industry are expected to drop during the first calendar year of the Trump Administration, the majority of vendors were experiencing positive results with in-show sales and quality interactions with potential clients.
Thursday’s highlight was a conversation with Sherry Hughes and her husband George. Sherry owns and operates a small marketing company near Sturgis and though the couple are avid gun enthusiasts, of course motorcycles are the real game in a region that supports the largest bike rally in the nation. Aptly and proudly, her marketing company is named Geezers Gone Bad or GGB to the rest of us.
PHOTO: Geezers Gone Bad
