COVID-19 has claimed yet another victim from the list of major conventions that visit Las Vegas each year, a loss that has a direct impact on the hunting and recreational shooting industries. On October 30, the National Shooting Sports Foundation announced its decision to cancel the 2021 edition of the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show, an event expected to draw about 60,000 attendees from around the globe. Known simply as the SHOT Show in industry circles, this event is the single largest show of its kind in the world and has been held in Las Vegas 22 times during its 43 years. The 2021 show would have been number 23. Though the SHOT Show is an industry trade show and therefore not open to the public, what happens each January in its miles of aisles trickles its way down to every hunter and recreational shooter. It is the place where manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, publishers and various non-profit organizations gather to celebrate all things firearms related. It also is the place where firearms and outdoor retailers hammer out deals that determine what you will see on store shelves. “NSSF has remained in constant communication with Nevada officials throughout the year in our planning for the 2021 show. While there has been a concerted effort to expand the allowable levels for large gatherings by the county and state, with positivity rates peaking during our key planning period, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 show,” said NSSF President CEO Joe Bartozzi in a news release. “Sadly, these spikes are currently transpiring worldwide. Given the sheer complexities, diminishing timeline and immense logistical planning required to conduct a trade show as large as SHOT, NSSF simply could not move forward at this point with so many unknowns and variables.” As preparations for SHOT 2021 were underway, it became apparent to show organizers that growth in exhibitor numbers warranted a significant expansion of display space beyond that available at the Sands Expo Center. To that end, NSSF had secured additional floor space at the new Caesars Forum, and three months out from the planned January show date, all available space was nearly sold out.  [full article]