Well I am here for the last two days of the new show. Last year we law abiding citizens put pressure on Reed Inc. who said black sporting arms could not be shown. Exhibitors got on the band wagon and hundreds cancelled in support of law abiding people.
The NRA took over and it is a full blown outdoor show with all, outdoor exhibits and not a flea market atmosphere. Fishing, hunting, boating, camping, handguns, black rifles, and much more. I spoke to many of the Africa exhibitors and thanked them for returning to Pa. and supporting last years boycott.

NRA THANKS

Mike

Great news Mike.

Sorry I missed the show two years in a row. Obviously, I wasn't going to the show last year even if it wasn't cancelled. Had plans to attend on Thursday with a buddy then the ice storm hit. No power for several days and this weekend we're both committed to helping my gun club table at the Oaks Pa. guns show.

Good news Mike.
I don't shop at Dicks Sporting Goods anymore since they pulled their black guns during the backlash of Sandy Hook.
DON'T URINATE ON MY 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS!

Mike, i also felt it was better. We went up last saturday and the crowd was great. I felt the show was better organized, the vendors were grouped together better. Not too many sham wow guys, though there were a few.

Got in for a few hours after one of the storms. Not many folks there that day. Show was better organized, cleaner operations and less of the flim flam. I could be wrong, but the isles seemed wider. It was nice that they toned down all the elk whistles, duck and goose calls and the sales guys. You could actually carry on a conversation with vendors. Not sure there were as many vendors in the fishing areas, but I didn't spend much time there. Definitely much better for guns, hunting and firearms. Bowhunting areas were about the same as previous shows, I think.
Overall a big improvement over the Show Reed put on. Those that liked the show need to let NRA know how they feel.
Bfly

I was there Tuesday and Thursday with a few friends it was crowed as it normally is. Though I did manage to speak to the people I wished to and got two hunting trips booked.

I thought it was very well done this year. Apparently the NRA upper management were all over the place making sure that everything was up to spec. Didn't book any hunts but the deals were sure there.

Just got home from the show about 1/2 hr ago. Definitely much better format than when Reed had it. Was surprised at # of African outfitters there. Mostly S.A. but did see Namibia, Zim, and Moz. Chatted with a few including a outfitter from S.A. whose first time it was setting up at the show here in Harrisburg. Liked the layout and format and think the NRA did a great job. AND some really great prices on hunts!

Mike,

Good to see you this evening.

Indeed the show has been a lot of fun. We've met a heap of hunters from all walks of life and enjoyed talking to them about their hunting experiences.

Looks like Adam and I will be entering the Maine moose draw this year, hoping to go on our first North America hunt. Also planning a deer and black bear archery hunt in PA so it's been an education all round.

Thanks to all the organisers.
K

Mike (or anyone else for that matter) if you are around tomorrow stop by my booth in the shooting sports hall. Booth 415 Little Sportsman. You stopped by last time I was there, 4 or 5 years ago.

Mike,

Pleasure to finally meet you at the show.

I attended on Weds. and Thurs. b/c of the ice storm and no power. No crowd what so ever on Weds. You could easily walk up and down the isle and talk to whoever you wanted. Thurs. the crowds were back in force. Overall the show was a huge improvement! They did away with all the crap (sham wows, knives that cut concrete and then slice a tomato, etc.) and the layout was excellent. There were some empty space that were normally full but, hopefully it will keep getting better. As previously mention there was a increase on African companies there. One area/aspect that was the biggest enhancement was the mini Shot Show. It's about time the major (and some minor) gun manufactures came back to the show. Personally it was like being a kid in a candy store!

I didn't stop to find out, was that actually Mark Sullivan signing stuff at the Mark Sullivan booth?

Yes it was Mark Sullivan. He was selling videos and books. This was the 3rd or 4th year I've seen him there.

I was there opening day and yesterday. It was a great time. I spent a lot of time in the "outfitter hall" aka the "Hall of Dreams".

The vendors I asked were very happy with the NRA's management. Much much happier than they were with Reed. Some had already rebooked for next year.

I really enjoy this show and am already looking forward to next year.

Was there last Sunday and the crowd was huge. Outfitter hall was full as always, and they actually had halls for the boats and campers (if you're into that), not just a couple here and there. Funny how making even small changes, like having outside food vendors and more tables and chairs to sit and eat, can make it more enjoyable.

Definitely an improvement in the show compared to when Reed ran it. The shooting sports hall was a great addition. As usual, the show was jam packed and I overheard that they had to turn visitors away on Saturday afternoon due to the building being at capacity. Does anyone know if this is true?

In regards to Mark Sullivan, that was him there. I spoke with him for a few minutes and he signed a couple books for me. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy and it was nice meeting him.

PA,

I didn't hear if they turned people away but the second Saturday was heavy indeed. We tried to get to the gun hall and got as far as the corridor where the archery hall was and turned back, so they may well have had to do something like that for fire regs, or send them to another part of the show.

K