SHOT Show 2027: The Complete Guide for Exhibitors and Visitors
- Jun 22
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
The SHOT Show is the world's largest trade event for the firearms, hunting, and outdoor industries. Held each year in Las Vegas, it brings together thousands of brands, buyers, and industry professionals under one roof for four intense days of business, innovation, and networking. Whether you're attending for the first time or planning to exhibit your products in 2027, this guide covers everything you need to know - from eligibility and registration to standing out on the show floor with a custom exhibition stand.
What Is SHOT Show?
SHOT Show stands for Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show. It is produced by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and is widely recognised as the world's largest and most comprehensive trade show for the shooting sports, hunting, and law enforcement industries.
Each year, SHOT Show attracts over 2,500 exhibitors and more than 60,000 industry professionals from more than 100 countries. The show floor spans hundreds of thousands of square feet across the Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum in Las Vegas - covering everything from firearms and ammunition to optics, tactical gear, apparel, and accessories.
Beyond product showcases, SHOT Show is where the industry does business. Deals are closed, partnerships are formed, and the trends that will shape the coming year are set. For any brand serious about the firearms, hunting, or outdoor market, SHOT Show is simply unmissable.
SHOT Show 2027 takes place January 19-22 at the Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum, Las Vegas.
Can Anyone Go to SHOT Show?
No - SHOT Show is a trade-only event and is not open to the general public.
To attend, you must be a qualified industry professional with a verified connection to the shooting sports, hunting, or outdoor trade. Eligible attendees typically include:
Firearms retailers and distributors
Manufacturers and importers of firearms, ammunition, or related products
Law enforcement and military professionals
Hunting and outdoor industry professionals
Media and journalists covering the firearms or outdoor space
Consumers, collectors, and firearms enthusiasts who are not affiliated with the trade cannot obtain a badge. This policy exists to maintain SHOT Show's status as a focused professional business environment - and it's one of the reasons the show remains so valuable for exhibitors.
How to Get Into SHOT Show
Getting into SHOT Show requires going through the NSSF's official credentialing process. Here's what you need to know
Trade Attendee Registration
Industry professionals register directly through the NSSF's official SHOT Show website. You'll need to provide documentation proving your industry affiliation, such as:
A valid Federal Firearms License (FFL)
A business licence for a qualifying industry sector
An employer letter confirming your professional role in the trade
Law enforcement or military credentials
Media & Press Credentials
Journalists, content creators, and media professionals covering the firearms and outdoor space can apply for press credentials. Applications are reviewed by the NSSF and approval is not guaranteed. Supporting materials such as published articles or a letter from your editorial team will strengthen your application.
Key Tips Before You Register
Register early - badge prices increase as the show date approaches
Prepare your supporting documents before starting the online process
Check official NSSF deadlines carefully - late applications may not be processed
How to Exhibit at SHOT Show
For brands in the firearms, hunting, and outdoor industries, exhibiting at SHOT Show is one of the highest-ROI investments of the year. Four days in front of more than 60,000 qualified buyers, distributors, and decision-makers is a rare opportunity - and one that demands serious preparation.
Eligibility to Exhibit
To exhibit at SHOT Show, your company must be a current NSSF member and your products or services must align with the shooting sports, hunting, and outdoor sectors as defined by NSSF guidelines. New exhibitors go through a review and approval process before being granted a booth assignment.
Secure Your Booth Space
Booth space at SHOT Show is in high demand and typically sells out months in advance. To reserve your exhibitor space at SHOT Show 2027, you can submit your application here:
Don't wait. The best locations - corner booths, high-traffic aisles - go first.
Plan Your Stand from Day One
Once your space is confirmed, the clock starts ticking. SHOT Show is a design-intensive environment - with thousands of exhibitors competing for visitor attention, your stand's visual impact, functionality, and brand presence are what will draw professionals to your space and keep them there.
Design a Custom Stand for SHOT Show with Decore Studio Events
Standing out at SHOT Show means more than placing products on a shelf. You're competing with some of the most established and well-funded brands in the global firearms and outdoor industry.
Decore Studio Events is a high-end custom exhibition stand designer with specific expertise in the firearms, tactical, and outdoor sectors. We understand the visual codes, display requirements, and technical constraints of designing stands for this industry - from secure product mounting and integrated lighting for firearms showcasing, to armoured display cases, tactical staging, and immersive brand environments.
Our stands for SHOT Show clients are designed to:
Create immediate visual impact on the show floor
Showcase firearms, optics, and tactical gear in the most compelling way
Facilitate commercial conversations with a functional, well-structured layout
Reflect the brand identity and positioning of each client
Whether you need a sleek 9 m2 stand that maximises a small footprint, or a flagship 100+ m2 environment designed to dominate your aisle - Decore Studio Events handles concept, engineering, fabrication, logistics, and on-site installation from A to Z.
Disclaimer - Decore Studio Events Is Not a Show Organiser
Decore Studio Events is an independent, high-end custom exhibition stand design and fabrication agency. We are in no way affiliated with SHOT Show, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), or any show organiser.
We do not sell attendee badges, manage exhibitor registrations, or organise the event in any capacity. All questions related to registration, credentialing, booth space booking, and show logistics must be directed to the NSSF through their official channels.
Our role is simple: to help your brand create the custom stand it deserves for its next trade show appearance. Decore Studio Events designs and builds the stand that will make your presence unforgettable - whatever the show, whatever the sector.