The internet has had a major effect on marketing. If that’s what Sig is adjusting to (and I think it probably is) then just say so, don’t play the COVID card. Especially if you understand a majority of your base isn’t buying into that.

In all likelihood some bean counter told Cohen that not attending SHOT last year (along with the rest of the firearm industry) had no effect on sales; in fact, sales went up. Said bean counter overlooked the fact that the firearm industry overall has huge demand due to the dimwit Demoncrats or he/she has taken into account said demand and projected it to ease up by Year X, before/during which Sig will attend SHOT.

Lots of reasons to be upset.

But - comparing a Las Vegas Convention Center packed with 100K people to an outdoor sports stadium is not really apples-apples. Not to mention the casinos and restaurants packed to capacity with international travelers. (which will be the case this January as foreign entry restrictions are lifted)

Lots of industry vets I know only go to SHOT for the social aspect. The business case for most established manufacturers likely isn't a strong one. With Sig being top of the heap as far as volume, what do they have to gain from SHOT 2022?

Does Sig not currently have many Gov. contracts? Since their reason is C19. No doubt the two are related. Cough, cough.

Shame on some of you trying to provide cover for them.

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
Lots of reasons to be upset.

Amused, perhaps, but not upset.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:


Shame on some of you trying to provide cover for them.

cool your jets. lots of companies are waving off in-person conferences out of abundance of caution but also because of cost savings. My employer is a large defense contractor and we've scaled WAY back on in-person for those reasons. The ROI on many conferences is pretty dubious (AUSA is a notable example here).

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
Lots of reasons to be upset.

Amused, perhaps, but not upset.

Noted.

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
Lots of reasons to be upset.

But - comparing a Las Vegas Convention Center packed with 100K people to an outdoor sports stadium is not really apples-apples. Not to mention the casinos and restaurants packed to capacity with international travelers. (which will be the case this January as foreign entry restrictions are lifted)

Indoor trade shows and conferences are happening too. I was at one last week, I’m at one now and will be at another one in two weeks, then another in November.

Backing out this early is especially weak.

quote:

Originally posted by mbinky:
With more and more companies announcing new products online I wonder if Shot Show will go the way of Baselworld. Less and less brands show up and then finally petering out.

COVID may have only accelerated a trend away from tradeshows towards the internet and reliance on local dealers and distributors for the "hands on" experience.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
I doubt those big conventions make sense, anymore. Smaller, public events so the populace could handle products, do make sense.

It wouldn't surprise me if SIG is just using Covid as an excuse to pull out of this and save all the time and expense that comes with it. Many companies have been using the "pandemic" as an opportunity to make business decisions they have wanted for years but lacked the intestinal fortitude to deal with the pushback they would get from employees, dealers, customers, etc. Now everybody just rolls over and sighs, Damn that Covid.

Can Joe Consumer just walk into the SHOT show? Or do you need to be an FFL?

Maybe they are trying to prevent all the Sig reps from wanting the latest offerings from Beretta... carry the latest Glock... or want an SVI...

"Can Joe Consumer just walk into the SHOT show?"

No, Joe Consumer canot just walk into the SHOT show. The SHOT Show is RESTRICTED to the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade and commercial buyers and sellers of military, law enforcement and tactical products and services ONLY. The show is not open to the public

Hard for me to even care. I have not even seen a Sig for sale at local gun shops around here since since before Covid. They tell me they get some in once in a while but are sold as fast as they come in.

Sig is getting .gov contracts. They don’t need us anymore. Just like Colt and HK did us.

Seems to be a convenient reason for people who love to complain to complain about SIG.

The SHOT show has been dying for years. It has turned into just a reason to go to Vegas and party. And none of it is stuff that can’t be handled (or isn’t handled through reps and buyers groups) otherwise.

Whether you want to admit it or not, SHOT is on life support.

Good for SIG. and I hope Glock, and other manufacturers follow soon.

Interesting observation Jones.

I'm disgusted every time I hear or read the phrase "out of an abundance of caution".

WTF people? Fear is NOT a virtue.

If that's their main reason for not going to SHOT, then I think SIG needs to get their head out of their ass.

quote:

Originally posted by ruger357:
Sig is getting .gov contracts. They don’t need us anymore. Just like Colt and HK did us.

That's why they're selling 365s hand over fist and the SIG Academy is booked solid months in advance for beginner classes and has been for over a year now....

When SHOT was cancelled in 2021, SIG made a $500k donation to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

I guess the money was used for "ongoing work in education, safety initiatives, compliance and security resources, import/export guidance, consumer activation initiatives, government relations, and operational needs."

I'm not suggesting SIG will make another donation in lieu of exhibiting in 2022, but maybe that $500k donation was better for the entire industry as compared to using it for a trade show. (Trade shows are not open to the public.)

Maybe spending money spread out locally is a better move?

(Yes, I do know that SIG spends a lot more than $500k on the entire SHOT week.)