Shooting Sports Showcase 2021 Starting Off

Registration was a rush. The steady trickle of exhibitors coming in early to set up quickly turned into a deluge of attendees eagerly awaiting first shots at 9 am. Safety card? Check. I retrieved the appropriate badge, slid it into a Savage Arms/Sure-Shot Game Calls holder, and relinquished it. Those without a safety card were sent to watch a safety video first before receiving their safety card from Civilian Marksmanship Program Staff.

Taurus Shooting Team Captain Jesse Harrison presenting the newest offerings from Taurus. Copyright: Serena Juchnowski

The 2021 Shooting Sports Showcase held at Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama drew a total of 200, quite impressive for a brand-new event in unprecedented times. Hosted by the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA) and National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) – this private range day created an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase new products and network with media, distributors, and dealers.

Golf carts driven by Showcase hosts and tourism partners shuttled attendees to the various ranges. Copyright: Serena Juchnowski

With five zones in use, the Showcase offered a variety of options for companies to highlight their products’ capabilities, from private action bays to a range with animal silhouettes at distances out to 620 yards. It even drew a number of big-name sponsors: Savage Arms, Sure-Shot Game Calls, CVA, Bergara, Otis Technology, and Fiocchi Ammunition.

Content creator Steve Finch captures video footage of Hi-Point Firearms. Copyright: Serena Juchnowski

What really set this event apart was the partnership among three respected industry organizations and a spacious venue that not only offered a breadth of state-of-the-art ranges but a safe place for members of the outdoor industry to come together. Dry-fire training devices, blue-tooth scopes, and state-of-the-art pursuit-based hearing protection are only a few of the many innovations attendees were able to try at the event, a welcome change from press releases on a screen. The buzzing question of the day was if there would be a 2022 Showcase, many exhibitors and attendees already looking to add the next event to their calendar.  POMA, SEOPA, and NASGW have announced that the 2022 Shooting Sports Showcase will be held March 14, 2022 at CMP Talladega, with more surprises and improvements in store.

POMA: Professional Outdoor Media Association: professionaloutdoormedia.org
SEOPA: SouthEaster Outdoor Press Association: www.seopa.org
NASGW: National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers: nasgw.org

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