The following policies and guidelines have been prepared for credentialed news media covering the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade ShowSM (SHOT Show®). The SHOT Show, the largest trade show of its kind in the world, is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation®, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. If you have questions regarding press room policies, operations or available resources, contact NSSF Director of Communications Bill Brassard at bbrassard@nssf.org. Keep up with show information at www.shotshow.org, SHOT Show Blog and SHOT Show Blast newsletter.
Professionalism
Media representatives are reminded that the SHOT Show is a private trade show whose primary purpose is to provide a positive business environment for manufacturers, distributors, retailers and others in shooting, hunting, outdoor and law enforcement industries. NSSF requires all media to conduct themselves in a professional manner and to ask permission before taking still photos and video. We understand that It may be necessary to obtain certain establishing shots of the show floor to complete an assignment, yet we ask that you not shoot close-ups of any booth, persons or products for which you do not have permission. NSSF requires all media to defer to those exhibitors who many not want to be interviewed or have their products photographed or videotaped. At its discretion, NSSF may provide an escort for video crews on the show floor. Unauthorized filming or photography, or unprofessional behavior, will result in the immediate revocation of media credentials and removal from the premises, and may jeopardize admission into the future shows. NSSF reserves the right to bar from this and future events any press badge holder who attempts to solicit services, advertising or subscriptions from press, exhibitors or other show attendees.
Safety and Courtesy at Media Day at the Range
Media who attend SHOT Show Media Day at the Range, which takes place the day before SHOT Show opens, are reminded to practice safe firearms handling at all times, follow range-officer commands at firing stations and, in general, be courteous to others and mindful of safety throughout the day. Your cooperation will contribute to a safe, efficiently run event. It will also help you make the most of your time at Media Day at the Range.
Personal Firearms
Please remember that Media Day at the Range Policy and Sands Expo Center policy prohibits the carrying of personal firearms and ammunition.
Press Room
The Press Room is located in the Venetian Hotel, Murano Ballroom, Level 3.
SHOT Show Press Room Hours
January 14 - 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
January 15 - 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
January 16 - 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
January 17 - 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
January 18 - 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
SHOT Show Exhibitor Hours
January 15 - 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
January 16 - 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
January 17 - 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
January 18 - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Media Registration and Eligibility
All press areas and exhibition halls are open to the registered press, including representatives of print, broadcast and Internet media (collectively known as "press"). It is highly recommended that press pre-register at www.shotshow.org. To register as press onsite, journalists must present personal photo identification and proof that they are working media, such as a press card or a letter of assignment. NSSF strongly encourages that media read the description of media badge types and their corresponding criteria for registering in the Badge Type/Proof of Eligibility document. All press credentialing decisions are at the discretion of NSSF communications staff.
Registered journalists must wear their current show media badges when on the SHOT Show exhibition floor or when attending SHOT Show-related events.
Marketing, PR and Advertising Reps
Representatives from public relations, marketing and advertising firms are NOT permitted to register as press. They must register as "Attendees" at www.shotshow.org and pay the required registration fee regardless of their affiliation with a media outlet.
Press Room Resources
NSSF is committed to making the experience for the working media as professionally rewarding as possible. The SHOT Show provides wireless access in the press room so journalists can work effectively. Furthermore, the SHOT Show press room will make available a limited amount of computers for working journalists to use that will have Internet access. These computers are to be used strictly for research and story composing and filing. Any activity not relating to these activities may result in forfeiting all access to the SHOT Show press room. Altering or changing any computer settings is strictly prohibited. Please review the listing of press room resources and services here.
Media List
NSSF makes the show's registered media list available to its Voting Members free of charge. Exhibitors and their representatives may rent the list for a one-time usage at a cost that ranges from $75 to $150 depending on their NSSF membership status. Media on the list should expect to receive pre- and post-show announcements from exhibitors and from NSSF. Media will have the option of opting out of this list during the registration process.
Personal Items in Press Area
Any personal property is solely the responsibility of the owner. Neither NSSF nor the SHOT Show is responsible for the loss or damage of any property in the press room, coat check area or press conference room.
Also, only authorized NSSF or SHOT Show communications staff is allowed in the press room administration area.
Exhibitor-provided Press Materials
Media can locate press kits, news releases and other exhibitor-provided press materials in designated bins in the press room.
All press materials are subject to approval by the NSSF communications staff. Exhibitor/public relations representatives are responsible for the delivery and collection of their press materials. Materials must be displayed in the pre-approved area and placed in the designated press materials bins.
Select organizations, such as industry communicator groups, will be allowed to distribute their materials in press-materials bins. All press materials not collected by the close of the show on the final day will be discarded.
The NSSF reserves the right to refuse placement of any exhibitor or industry press materials in the SHOT Show press room or press conference room.
Show Photographs
NSSF will make available downloadable photographs of the SHOT Show, NSSF State of the Industry Dinner and select other show events available on the SHOT Show Flickr Photo Stream during and after the show. Media is free to make use of these photographs in appropriate coverage of the show.
Press Conferences
A list of SHOT Show press conference in the official press conference room, adjacent to the press room, is available at www.shotshow.org and will be posted in the press room. Exhibitors may also schedule press conferences in their booths or other meeting rooms. NSSF keeps a record only of press conferences that are scheduled using the online reservation system for the show's official press conference room.
Use of SHOT Show® Name and Trademarks
NSSF encourages media to use the SHOT Show® name and logo in their coverage of the show. There are, however, some important limitations. The "SHOT Show®," "SHOTSM" and "Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade ShowSM" names, logos and images, and affiliated names, logos and images, are trademarks or registered trademarks of the NSSF, which takes great strides to protect the SHOT Show brand.
The press and other media representatives are permitted to make fair use of show trademarks in connection with general editorial and news coverage of the show subject to the SHOT Show Trademark Branding Guidelines. Use of show trademarks for profit or gain (e.g., use of show trademarks to sell media services) or for non-fair use purposes is prohibited.
