Report from ATA and SHOT Shows
January 17th, 2012 by MUCC Staff.If you’re not a member of the outdoor industry you’ve likely never heard of the ATA or SHOT shows. And, in many ways, that’s a good thing.
The ATA (Archery Trade Association) and SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) shows are giant industry events that put all of the top manufacturers, retailers and media members under one roof. Yes, it’s pretty cool to walk into a building full of all the latest gear for the outdoors. It’s also somewhat of a colossal pain in the rear.
The ATA show is held in Columbus, Ohio. Not too bad. The SHOT show — which falls about three days after the ATA show — is held in Las Vegas. Why? Well I’m told it’s because Las Vegas is a great place to hold a convention. And I suppose it is. Unless you’re one who likes the outdoors. And your sanity.
Color me crazy but Las Vegas wasn’t meant for guys like me.
At any rate, that’s where I am now — in Las Vegas, sitting at a hotel room desk wondering why it is that people seem to love this city so. I’m also trying to figure out what’s about to happen.
The SHOT show officially opens Tuesday morning. And I’m a bit nervous about how it’ll play out. The mood at the ATA show was not enthusiastic. The number of new product entries was minimal. It seems many companies believe the economy is still slow and won’t gain much steam in 2012. Thus the reins were pulled back a bit.
That’s worrisome for several reasons. The first, of course, is just a general concern for the nation’s economy. We’ve already suffered an awful lot and it’d be nice to think an end is in sight.
The second is the fact that the hunting and fishing community has felt the pinch in many ways. When the economy lags, funding follows. Most state conservation departments, including Michigan’s DNR, survive on user fees, excise taxes and general state fund dollars (Michigan’s DNR, however, does not). When the economy slows, budgets are cut, spending shrinks and decisions are made. Sometimes those decisions don’t make much sense.
Of course, as part of a non-profit organization, I always have one eye on the bottom line. Michigan United Conservation Clubs is not a major corporation. We can’t slash prices on our inventory or hold blow-out sales in an effort to increase revenue. We must rely upon the support of our members, donors and partners.
Don’t read this wrong. MUCC is not in financial danger — thanks to leadership that understands how budgeting works and terrific relationships, MUCC is on firm financial footing. But it’s not permanent footing and conservation in general is always on shaky ground when it comes to funding.
Why did spending seem to be down at the ATA show? Will this have an impact on the immediate future? I honestly don’t know. It’s entirely possible that when the SHOT show kicks off, it will be epic. New products will be rolled out en masse, orders will be plentiful and all will look promising.
But it may not. And I’d be lying if I said that didn’t cause me to worry just a bit. It’s also another very good reason for every hunter and angler in the state of Michigan to be a member of MUCC. We are the only state-specific group that’s fighting every single day to ensure conservation and our hunting heritage is protected. And, believe me, when funding gets tight and decisions must be made those without goood, solid representation get left out. No one ever will — or should — agree with everything an organization like MUCC does. But the outdoors community had better learn to stand together on a few basic principles. If we don’t, the future will not be what we want it to be. It really is that simple.
I’m looking forward to heading home and spending some time in Michigan’s outdoors. And hopefully there will be good news to report when I get there.