Have you organized/run a gun show?

ckhd · April 15, 2013, 05:35 PM

Hi,

Two weeks ago, I was voted in as vice-pres of our local gun club, and at the same time was told that the vp's job is the gun show... which we held over the last two days... Luckily, the venue had been reserved, but other than that, not much had been done. Two weeks to do a gun show is not very long.

Granted, it is a 'small town' gun show, and I managed to have one that has been deemed 'successful', I want our October show to be deemed "Amazing". I'm trying to find people that have experience with organizing and running gun shows. I would really like ideas on how to draw both vendors and customers to the show.

Advertising is one thing that seems to be eluding me. Most of the people that I stopped and asked told me that they had heard about it 'word-of-mouth' although we had radio, newspaper, flyers, facebook, twitter, club's website, and cards under windshield wipers.

The gun shows are our club's primary source of income (we are a 501c3 corporation with a range with huge potential), and we are a 'poor' club. I want to make us a club that can provide the range improvement and community offerings that I feel we should offer.

Any help and pointers from experienced organizers would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Bowen

jonnyc · April 16, 2013, 08:08 AM

I run an annual cartridge collector show and a swap-meet at my gun club. I have found that my best advertising is flyers at other gun shows (if you don't compete with them) and info posted at area gun shops.

ckhd · April 16, 2013, 05:31 PM

Hmm.. Good idea. Thanks!

BigD_in_FL · April 16, 2013, 08:00 PM

Many smaller towns put out an extra "paper" on Thursday or Friday that typically lists all sorts of local shows, festivals and things to do.

If your town has that, get into it - maybe have them do a small interview since you are a non-profit.....

ckhd · April 17, 2013, 05:47 PM

Our town doesn't, but some neighboring towns do. Hadn't thought of that one.

April 15, 2013, 05:35 PM	#1
ckhd Junior Member Join Date: April 15, 2013 Location: Eastern Arizona Posts: 3	Have you organized/run a gun show? Hi, Two weeks ago, I was voted in as vice-pres of our local gun club, and at the same time was told that the vp's job is the gun show... which we held over the last two days... Luckily, the venue had been reserved, but other than that, not much had been done. Two weeks to do a gun show is not very long. Granted, it is a 'small town' gun show, and I managed to have one that has been deemed 'successful', I want our October show to be deemed "Amazing". I'm trying to find people that have experience with organizing and running gun shows. I would really like ideas on how to draw both vendors and customers to the show. Advertising is one thing that seems to be eluding me. Most of the people that I stopped and asked told me that they had heard about it 'word-of-mouth' although we had radio, newspaper, flyers, facebook, twitter, club's website, and cards under windshield wipers. The gun shows are our club's primary source of income (we are a 501c3 corporation with a range with huge potential), and we are a 'poor' club. I want to make us a club that can provide the range improvement and community offerings that I feel we should offer. Any help and pointers from experienced organizers would be appreciated! Thanks, Bowen

April 16, 2013, 08:08 AM	#2
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	I run an annual cartridge collector show and a swap-meet at my gun club. I have found that my best advertising is flyers at other gun shows (if you don't compete with them) and info posted at area gun shops. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

April 16, 2013, 05:31 PM	#3
ckhd Junior Member Join Date: April 15, 2013 Location: Eastern Arizona Posts: 3	Hmm.. Good idea. Thanks!

April 16, 2013, 08:00 PM	#4
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	Many smaller towns put out an extra "paper" on Thursday or Friday that typically lists all sorts of local shows, festivals and things to do. If your town has that, get into it - maybe have them do a small interview since you are a non-profit.....

April 17, 2013, 05:47 PM	#5
ckhd Junior Member Join Date: April 15, 2013 Location: Eastern Arizona Posts: 3	Our town doesn't, but some neighboring towns do. Hadn't thought of that one.