SHOT Show Stays at Las Vegas Sands Expo Center Through 2014
SHOT Show, the “Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade” Show, will remain in Las Vegas through the year 2014. That’s the good news, as the vast majority of attendees want to keep the event in Vegas. The bad news is that SHOT Show will remain in the Sands Expo and Convention Center, a notoriously bad venue for both exhibitors and show visitors.
Sands Expo Center a Maze-Like Disappointment
In our view, the old Las Vegas Convention Center was a far better location. What’s wrong with the Sands Expo Center? You name it. The “host” hotel is the Venetian, which is way too expensive for most attendees, not to mention a nightmare to navigate. General “front door” access is poor and there is no on-site parking at all (you have to park at adjacent hotels on the strip). The lower levels are dungeon-like with poor lighting and bad acoustics. The conference rooms are hard to find and most are either too big or too small. The Sands Center has multiple, odd-shaped levels which lack logical ingress/egress points. Floorplans are inconsistent from level to level, and bathrooms are hard to locate. Some popular sections, such as the tactical/police displays, are exiled to upper halls that are hard to reach from the main entrance. Worst of all, to get into the show, most visitors must walk a quarter-mile through the dark, noisy, maze-like interior of the Venetian hotel. It is very easy to get lost in that nightmare of a hotel. On a 1:10 scale, we give the Sands Expo Center a “3” and that’s only because it’s (barely) big enough and the main hall is bright, with high ceilings (albeit with a leaky roof).
For years, the SHOT Show was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Paradise Road, adjacent to the Hilton Hotel. Starting in 2009, SHOT Show organizers needed to find another venue because the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) was undergoing a multi-year renovation, including a 500,000 square-foot floor-space expansion. We understand why the Sands Expo was selected as a temporary replacement, despite its many shortcomings. But now it’s time to get out of that poorly-designed facility. Over the past four years, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has pumped $890 million into the LVCC. Most of the work is done, and renovations should be completed by 2012.
Why is SHOT staying at the Sands Expo through 2014 if the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), a much better facility, should be available next year? We have no idea. We consider this a blunder of major proportions, an “epic fail” by the NSSF (owners of SHOT Show), and Reed Exhibitions (producers of SHOT Show).
Perhaps the NSSF was worried that LVCC renovations won’t be completed by January 2012 — but then that still doesn’t justify THREE more years at the Sands. Maybe it was just a money thing — accepting the lowest bid. At least some effort will be made to improve Sands Expo facilities. Steve Sanetti, NSSF President, stated: “SHOT Show attendees have made it clear to us that Las Vegas is their city of choice, and this agreement allows NSSF to meet their expectations. The Sands has responded to our requests for improvements … and this was a key factor in our decision.” The NSSF reports that “improvements will continue over the next three years — including enhanced cellular service, newly renovated lobby areas and rest rooms and other enhancements.” Well, you can put lipstick on a pig….
For those who like to plan ahead, here are SHOT Show dates for the next three years:
SHOT 2012: January 17-20 | SHOT 2013: January 15-18 | SHOT 2014: January 14-17
Yo:
I think you were too kind in your comments regarding the Sands Expo Center.
It was the biggest reason that I skipped the event this year. Your concerns & comments were spot on.
John
Looks like our company’s first SHOT Show will likely be the 2015 SHOT Show. I’m not paying to set up a booth at the Sands Expo Center. Worst I’ve ever seen. Doors everywhere and security guards standing at each one telling you that you can’t go that way. The only thing worse than the layout is the imbecilic manner in which they funnel everyone into long, dark, noisy corridors, like they’re trying to make everything slow, noisy, and uncomfortable as possible.
After attending the last two Shot Shows at the Sands I can’t believe that we are having two more there…obviously nobody is listening to the attendees and vendors…please never again at the Sands!!!
I agree with the first comment you are way too kind in your critique of the Sands. Having SHOT there is like trying to fit a size 18 woman into a size 2 dress!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with the above posts. We did shot in Orlando in 2009, it was our first time at Shot and we had an amazing time, business was great. We decided to try our luck at Shot in Vegas in 2010. We have not been back since, just simply can’t afford to go back for such a poor outcome. Has anyone heard any word about a different venue than the Sands for 2015 ?
I can’t agree with what you say.
Display is poor OK but that is it.
Free Venetian parking is a few minutes walk from the Show.
Others Hotel and their free parks are a few minutes from the Show.
I remember the Conv. Center where you have either to walk a loooong way to get there, or try to park in the neighboorhood and there were no parking available. YOu can also get a shuttle from main hôtels if you were willing to wait, and wait, and wait.
Not to mention the return at the end of the day with loooong waiting lines to board the buses.
And yes I did tried these all.
If you can read a floor map, it is rather easy to navigate in the Show. If you want to leave, you are close from everywhere.
Just my way to see things.
I have been to the Shot Show at the Sands the last 3 years. I also plan to attend in 2014. I don’t agree with the most of the previous posts. The Sands is just fine for the Shot Show. At the Sands There are two large halls. Most of all of the large manufacturers are in one or the other large halls. Most people find they spend most of their time in the two large halls. Then there are smaller halls for the relatively smaller manufacturers that only want to pay for a cheaper space. The average space is about 20 x 20. You will find the smaller manufactures usually have the most innovative products. Some only have two tables. On the lower level there is three smaller rooms. On the upper level there is also three smaller rooms. When I say smaller you could have a football game in the largest. The promoters provide a great map of the show. If you can’t read a map you will have trouble. You will get lost. I usually spend most of my time in the two large halls at first. They are both huge and you might get lost. (use the map) Then if I have time I check out the smaller halls. Parking issue: The hotel Pallizo (spelling?) is directly attached to the Sands Convention Center. They offer underground parking free of charge. I have never had any problem getting a spot. You are much better off using the free shuttle buses that run all day from various hotels. I especially like to stay at the Excaliber. I pick up the bus at the Luxor which is out the back door. I have never had to wait long. At the end of the day I have never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a bus. In the past I have attended two Shot Shows at the las Vegas Convention Center. It is a nice facility. There is very little parking near this facility. You must take the free shuttle bus. There is also two large halls. Like the Sands they also have some smaller rooms. Nobody talks about these smaller rooms because almost nobody would go to them.
The Consumer Electronic Show is at the Las Vegas Convention Center the week before the Shot Show so the hall is not available for the Shot Show.
So in my opinion there is very little difference between the two halls. If they move the show to another city such as Orlando I won’t go. Las Vegas usually has the cheapest and largest selection of flights in and out.
If you go, start with a list of hotels served by the free shuttle bus. Pick one of those hotels to stay at. When you get the free map of the show use it to plan your looking. If you just skip around you will miss half the vendors.
Cabs going into the Sands are pretty good. Getting cab out is a long wait. Transportation is also provided by the monorail. I have found the monorail is slow and at the end of the day is very crowded.