Your SHOT University™ is where you learn the most innovative ways to attract new shooters, manage inventory and volume more efficiently, build traffic in slower seasons, and maximize your margins and employees’ performance. A la carte training courses are now available to help retailers and ranges hone their management skills to meet the demands of today’s highly regulated and competitive marketplace. Session content will cover topics such as customer communications, used firearms, new shooters, ATF/NICS, compliance, operations, marketing, workforce development and more.
Enroll during the registration process or add sessions anytime to your registration.
Making profits is always a challenge but layer onto it some difficult market conditions and it is imperative that you squeeze every bit of profit potential from your business and generate extra cash. Topics such as what do to with the check-out counter, focusing on fewer customers to make more money, leveraging your sales team to produce more, and how to use your bank to make more money, among many more, will be delivered in this quick-hit session. Attendees will be given a very thought-provoking and actionable checklist to take back to their stores and bring more profits to the bottom line.
SPEAKERS: Hank Yacek, Doug VanderWoude
Far too many companies in the firearms industry mistakenly believe that business success is measured by market share and gross revenue, rather than profitability. As a result, they focus on getting as many sales as they can -- no matter the cost -- rather than getting the most profitable sales possible. This inevitably leads to them becoming completely dependent on ever-increasing discounts in order to turn their inventories and meet cash-flow needs.
In this presentation, we will use real-world examples to illustrate how relying on discounted prices to drive sales is actually highly detrimental to a company’s financial health.
Attendees will leave with a solid foundation in basic price strategies, as well as a series of tools and tactics they can use to drive sales without resorting to discounts and price cutting.
SPEAKER: Michael Goerlich
During this enlightening session, we will explore business management and practical strategies to enhance revenue while providing top-notch customer service. Learn how to leverage the power of text and email to engage with your customers, boost retention rates and create a seamless experience that keeps them coming back for more.
SPEAKER: Ben Nelson
NSSF’s State Affairs team works year-round representing our industry and NSSF’s members in state capitals to promote, protect and preserve your livelihoods. In this session, each of the five regional reps will cover what has transpired in their region in the last year, what is in process, and what can be expected in the months and years to come.
SPEAKERS: Chris Lee, Darren LaSorte, Jake McGuigan, Michael Findlay, Nephi Cole
Selling your business is inevitable, and in this presentation, we will provide a roadmap for navigating this crucial journey. We will start by diving into the art of valuing your business, focusing on how to assess and maximize its worth.
Then you’ll learn the step-by-step process of improving value in the eyes of a potential buyer by exploring the value boosters that mean the difference between auctioning off your inventory and selling for top dollar. We’ll end with an overview of the steps involved in the selling process, including documentation required, how to survive due diligence, the importance of engaging experts at the right times, and how to ensure you don’t regret the transaction.
SPEAKER: Ben Brickweg
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just for tech geeks and programmers anymore. It’s one of the most exciting and rapidly growing fields in technology today. Join Bravo Store Systems for our beginner-friendly presentation about how to use ChatGPT to enhance various aspects of your operations and empower your team for success.
SPEAKERS: Tally Mack, Kathleen Owen
Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) are grappling with heightened regulatory challenges and intensified ATF audits. As the number of revocations increases, it’s paramount for licensees to stay ahead, informed and prepared. During this session, a team of industry experts will discuss the intricacies of ATF audits, from preparation to navigation, post-audit strategies for preventing revocations, and the indispensable role of technology in ensuring compliance.
SPEAKERS: Chris Chiafullo, Jamison Collins, John Clark, Travis Glover
OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on lead hazards places shooting ranges in the crosshairs for inspections and citations. Attend this presentation to learn how shooting ranges fared with their 2023 OSHA inspections and gain valuable insights on how to improve your range’s compliance programs to help you avoid citations should an inspection occur.
SPEAKER: Dale Krupinski
All too often we don’t go beyond ringing up sales and seeing what is selling well in our store through our POS System but there is a treasure trove of other actionable data sets in the system that can help us squeeze out every dime of profit. In this session, we will learn how to use historical sales data to plan inventory and staffing, improve margins and productivity, and optimize budgets.
SPEAKERS: Hank Yacek, Kaleb Seymour
Each year at the SHOT Show, attendees are invited to sit with FBI/NICS leadership as they provide updates and take questions from the audience. This interactive and collaborative session provides insights into FBI/NICS operations and offers the unique opportunity for FFLs to interact with agency leadership.
SPEAKER: ATF/FBI/NICS Personnel
Creating content for your company doesn’t have to be rocket science. In this session, we’ll cover techniques and tricks to help you create content that converts your followers from consumers to customers. You don’t need experience in content creation, just a desire to keep your company relevant in a content consumed world.
SPEAKER: Luke Williams
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion centered around the vital topic of Federal Firearms License compliance and the potential threat of revocation. We are thrilled to bring together two Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) who have engaged in a meaningful exchange to shed light on compliance strategies and the invaluable support they received from NSSF Compliance Consultant Team Members. Learn from the experiences of an FFL that went through the ATF Revocation process and won, overcoming the challenge of revocation and remaining in business.
SPEAKER: John Clark
With cyberattacks increasing and evolving by the day, it’s crucial for businesses to have a solid cybersecurity strategy in place. Learn from industry leaders on what tactics they’ve implemented to educate their teams about cybersecurity threats and how to protect yourself. From best practices for large and small businesses, creating cybersecurity culture, phishing (prevention, training and testing) and incident response, this session will help you identify actions you can take to minimize your company’s cyber risks.
This session will be discussing two upcoming exciting additions to NICS that allow FFLs to perform background checks on current and prospective employees as well as the ability to search the NCIC Gun File by serial number to determine if a firearm is stolen.
During the last year, things have continued to change rapidly at ATF. From stabilizing braces to new A&D requirements, to a new Form 4473, and more. Learn all that has happened and what you need to do to stay ahead of the game in your compliance efforts. Three of NSSF’s and the industry’s most experienced compliance consultants, Harry McCabe, Judy LeDoux and Wally Nelson, will walk you through all the changes. From the latest on the evolving Zero Tolerance Policy and the proposed new definition of who is engaged in the business of a firearms dealer to many other components you need to stay on top of to best protect your FFL and your livelihood.
SPEAKERS: Christoper Renzulli, Harry McCabe, Judy LeDoux, Wally Nelson
Adding a new department to your existing range/retail business can generate significant revenue, if it’s done correctly. In this session, hear from shop owners and archery sales experts who have perfected the art of adding archery sales and service to their business portfolio. This expert panel will discuss how existing FFLs can effectively position their existing brand and customer base to generate new revenue and what type of investment of time and resources will be needed to succeed.
SPEAKERS: Dave Maas, Skyler Thomas