In the latest shooting sports industry news ...
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. will make its first appearance at the Great American Outdoor Show this year in Harrisburg, Pa., exhibiting Feb. 1-9 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Booth #281.
Visitors to the show will have an opportunity to meet with Ruger representatives and brand ambassadors while viewing a large assortment of Ruger products, including time-honored classics and newly introduced models.
"We are thrilled to be exhibiting at the show for our very first time," said Ruger Vice President of Marketing Rob Werkmeister. "We have received an overwhelming number of requests from our customers over the last several years to bring our team to Harrisburg for this exciting event and we are happy to respond to their call this year."
The nine-day Great American Outdoor Show takes place in 650,000 square feet of exhibit hall space and features more than 1,100 exhibitors.
Shockey, Boddington on SCI Convention Lineup
From great tips on foreign travel, hunting in Siberia, estate planning for your firearms, to getting kids involved in hunting using air guns and numerous others, there is a seminar to take advantage of at the 2020 SCI Hunters’ Convention.
In addition to the highly popular seminars presented by Jim Shockey and Craig Boddington, the following seminars are being offered at the show, which is Feb. 5-8 in Reno, Nevada.
Ten Commandments of Foreign Travel
Presented By: Craig Bade
Feb. 8, 1-2:30 p.m.
Location: A8 (RSCC )
Whether this is your first "trip of a lifetime" or one of many, this lecture will be one of the most informative lectures you've ever attended. This fast-paced presentation will help you with pre-hunt preparation to avoid and handle emergencies. In addition, Bade will discuss how to prepare physically, emotionally and operatively for that adventure of a lifetime. The speaker has hunted the Arctic and the desert, the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia and Africa eleven times. Having spent years behind medical books and rifle scopes, Dr. Bade has compiled functional information nearly everyone can use.
Hunting Small Game with Air Guns
Presented By: Tom Claycomb
Feb. 7, 11 a.m.-Noon
Location: A6 (RSCC )
If you haven't hunted small game with a modern air gun then you are missing out. Come to this seminar and you will learn the benefits and downfalls of the top three most popular models of air guns. Air guns are a great way to break your kids or grandkids into hunting. They don't kick, they're not loud, and are a blast to shoot.
Surviving Siberia: Land of Man Eating Bears Siberian Tigers and Ravaging Wolves
Presented By: Denny Geurink
Feb. 07, 2-3:30 p.m.
Location: A11 (RSCC )
Denny Geurink has spent nearly three decades hunting and outfitting in the "Land of the Bear." Invited to the former Soviet Union via the Gorbachev government in 1990, he will talk about his first trip to "The Evil Empire," as President Reagan referred to the Soviet Union at the time. Geurink will talk about encounters with the KBG, harrowing bear attack stories, hair-raising adventures in Siberia and a look at people, food and culture.
View all seminar titles at https://www.showsci.org/seminars/.
Kent Cartridge Presents Inaugural Customer Awards
Kent Cartridge presented its inaugural customer awards at SHOT Show 2020 in Las Vegas to several customers for their partnership in 2019.
Big Rock Sports was presented the 2019 Distributor of the Year award. The award was presented to Ryan Link of Big Rock by Jeff Barry, vice president of sales and marketing for Kent Cartridge.
“Through an innovative and comprehensive approach to servicing its customer base, Big Rock’s support was instrumental in our successful launch of Fasteel 2.0, our flagship product, in 2019,” Barry said.
Sportsman’s Warehouse was recognized as the 2019 Specialty Retailer of the Year. The award was presented to Randy Back of Sportsman’s Warehouse.
“Sportsman’s Warehouse support of the Kent Cartridge brand has been unprecedented, including the breadth of assortment and enthusiastic approach to our newest programs,” Barry said. “Sportsman’s approach to business and locations in key markets have led to remarkable growth over the last three years.”
Turner’s Outdoorsman was presented the 2019 Regional Retailer of the Year. Mike Etienne of Turner’s Outdoorsman accepted.
“Mike took a pro-active approach to regulatory changes in California and recognized the value of our re-branding efforts; building a solid assortment and devotedly supporting the launch of Fasteel 2.0,” Barry said.
“We plan to continue presenting these awards in the years to come,” Barry added. “It is important to recognize the many customers who lead the way in supporting our brand, and know the value of our affordable, performance-driven products and the profits we can deliver for them.”
Sellmark Brands Return to Harrisburg Show
Making its mark at booth 647, Sightmark returns to the 2020 Great American Outdoor Show in Booth 647 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 1-9.
Sightmark joins about 1,100 other exhibitors at this nine-day event catering to consumers and celebrating all things hunting, fishing, and shooting. Among Sellmark's display will be Sightmark’s newest and best-selling optics, like the digital night vision Wraith scope, award-winning red dot sights, pistol and black rifle lasers and more.
This family-friendly event features 650,000 square feet and eight halls of exhibits.
Engelking New EVP Marketing for MTC Holsters
MTC Holsters, parent company of CrossBreed Holsters, N82 Holsters, and Magna-Arm, has promoted Nathan Engelking to Executive Vice President of Marketing.
Engelking began at MTC Holsters in 2013 as a customer service representative, followed by the positions of IT and Social Media Director. He worked his way to the role of Director of Marketing for the CrossBreed holster brand and, most recently, the N82 Holsters and Magna-Arm brands.
In his new position Engelking will oversee all aspects of marketing and advertising efforts across the MTC Holsters family of brands. His duties will include marketing team management, alignment and coordination of marketing and sales team objectives, building brand awareness, and working with the product development team to identify new products and industry trends.
"Servicing our concealed carry consumers and supporting our 2nd Amendment rights and firearms heritage are guiding principles of everything we do at MTC Holsters," he said. "With so many innovative handguns entering the marketplace and with increasingly more people practicing their rights and responsibilities of personal defense, it is an exciting time for all of us as we continue to develop new products to help our consumers keep themselves and their families safe. I am honored to be entrusted with this new position and to help the MTC Holsters teams move concealed carry technology forward."
GSM Outdoors Purchases Hunters Specialties
Multi-brand shooting and hunting manufacturer GSM Outdoors has acquired Hunters Specialties, one of the largest merging of brands in the hunting industry.
Hunters Specialties was purchased in 2014 by Peak Rock Capital, a holding firm based in Austin, Texas, that in 2017 also bought Lew's and Strike King Lure Company fishing companies. Peak Rock sold the trio in 2019 to Chicago-based BDT Capital.
Terms of the deal for Hunters Specialties between BDT and GSM Outdoors were not revealed.
"For more than 40 years, Hunters Specialties has been a mainstay in the hunting accessories category," said Eddie Castro, GSM Outdoors President and CEO. "Hunters Specialties has grown from being a manufacturer of camo tape and face paint to producing many of the support essentials relied on by the modern hunter. Bringing Hunters Specialties into the GSM Outdoors family of brands is a big deal for us and for the hunting industry at large."
Hunters Specialties made its mark by providing solutions to common hunting needs. From camo makeup and scent delivery systems to tree stand gear and its own storied line of HS Strut turkey calls and accessories, Hunters Specialties has been a reliable go-to for generations of hunters.
The company eventually incorporated some of the biggest names in game calls into its portfolio, such as Johnny Stewart predator calls and Carlton's Calls elk calls. Other hallmark brands include Scent-A-Way scent management products, Buck Bomb attractant scents, and Fish-A-Way odor elimination solutions.
Retailers Invited to Join EOTech Program
Retailers are invited to apply to join L3Harris Technologies’ EOTech Authorized Retailer Program (EARP).
The EARP is designed for companies interested in stocking EOTech products and providing related services to its customers. Qualifying businesses will gain access to EOTech’s genuine products, selling tools, product training materials, and special promotions.
“The EOTech Authorized Retailer Program is a great opportunity for retailers to offer their customers EOTech’s best-in-class Holographic Weapon Sights, magnifiers, variable-power riflescopes and more,” said Jeff Stawiarski, Vice President Sales and Marketing, EOTech. “We look forward to extending this opportunity to many new retail partners in 2020.”
EOTech Authorized Retailers have the option of acquiring product through an Authorized Distributor or factory-direct, pending approval. In order to be considered, retailers must maintain a commercial walk-in location open to the public at least 35 business hours per week (residential addresses are not permitted) and have a customer support staff.
If approved, retailers will enjoy many benefits that come with being an EOTech Authorized Retailer, including special dealer/retailer-level pricing and exclusive rebate and promotional opportunities. Additionally, EOTech Authorized Retailers receive in-store point-of-purchase promotional materials, cooperative advertising support on factory-direct purchases, discounts for employee purchases, and access to educational seminars and special dealer events. Approved businesses will be listed on EOTech’s Dealer Locator.
Interested retailers should call 888-368-4656.
Zanders Launches Range-Retailer Program
Zanders Sporting Goods has launched its fully-updated, exclusive Range-Retailer Program, allowing ranges to take advantage of multiple incentives to diversify the selection of firearms offered to patrons.
This program was launched at the NSSF Range-Retailer Business Expo on Aug. 19 and was received well. After listening to the feedback from range dealers, Zanders made a few changes to the program to help ensure more flexibility for dealers.
“With regular range programs, dealers have to invest a large amount of money into one manufacturer’s products in order to take advantage of their range promotion,” said Stefanie Zanders, President and Chief Operating Officer for Zanders Sporting Goods. “With our exclusive Range-Retailer Program, dealers are able to diversify their capital into a variety of products to carry at their range. No other distributor, that we know of, offers an exclusive program like this. We feel that for a range to be able to invest in a variety of guns, it allows their customers to experience shooting different models that they may not be as familiar with. We believe that this will lead to a higher turn rate for their inventory as well as increased income from range rentals.”
In addition to the increased flexibility, Zanders has included CZ-USA, Girsan, Kahr Arms, SCCY, North American Arms, Canik, Heckler & Koch, Eagle Imports, Chiappa, Auto-Ordnance, Armscor/Rock Island, Hi-Point, EAA and Magnum Research.
For more information on this Zanders exclusive program, dealers are encouraged to contact their sales representative or visit https://shop2.gzanders.com/.
