Xact Metal announced record Q2 and Q3 orders in 2026, with orders increasing over 30% through September. CEO Juan Mario Gomez stated the company is now taking orders for the new XM300G midsize metal printer, with shipments planned to begin mid-2027.
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA has installed a new water quench furnace manufactured by Heat Treat Equipment Inc. to process large titanium components up to 7,500 pounds, with production expected to begin November 2026. The system maintains precise temperature control and enables rapid quenching for aerospace and defense applications.
Solar Atmospheres of California promoted Courtney Castillejos to Quality Manager at its Fontana facility. Castillejos joined the company in August 2018 and progressed through multiple roles, most recently serving as Senior Quality Technician before her promotion.
Reinforce3D's Continuous Fiber Injection Process (CFIP) combined with additive manufacturing enables manufacturers to produce stronger, lighter drone components without traditional composite tooling. Impac Systems Engineering, the exclusive North American distributor for Reinforce3D, demonstrates how this technology achieved a 51.5% weight reduction in a quadcopter frame while maintaining structural performance.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has purchased an AMCM M 8K metal additive manufacturing system for installation at its Indiana Payload Integration Facility in Odon, Indiana. The acquisition supports Kratos' expansion of advanced manufacturing capabilities for hypersonic technology development and reflects the company's commitment to domestic defense manufacturing.
Robert L. Zemke has been promoted from President and COO to President and CEO of Plastic Products Company, effective November 1, 2026, joining the Board of Directors. Ben Holder transitions to Chairman of the Board. Zemke brings 26 years of experience at the employee-owned manufacturer, including roles as Plant Manager and Executive Vice President.
Gorilla Mill, based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, introduced the 9-Flute Neanderthal end mill designed for high-efficiency machining with aggressive feed rates and exceptional surface finishes. Owner/President Nathan Cranker states the tool helps manufacturers increase productivity without sacrificing finish quality, featuring nine cutting edges for greater material removal and improved chip-thinning utilization.
Payroc, an official NSSF Affinity Partner, introduced Payroc for Developers, an AI-native payments platform enabling software providers and 2A businesses to build payment capabilities into their own software. The platform works with AI tools like Claude and GitHub Copilot, offering a 3.5-minute sandbox-to-first-transaction experience and specialized support for firearms retailers.
Kowalski Heat Treating's K-Glow plasma nitriding process uses advanced technology and precise controls to improve wear resistance and component durability. The process creates a hard, wear-resistant surface layer while maintaining dimensional stability, making it ideal for demanding applications across automotive, firearms, and manufacturing industries.
Bally Ribbon Mills showcases engineered harness webbing designed for fall-protection systems and safety applications in firefighting, law enforcement, military, and industrial sectors. BRM's webbing utilizes specialty fibers including nylon, Nomex®, Kevlar®, and Vectran® to provide high tenacity, flame resistance, and abrasion resistance.
Precision Laser Technology (PLT) will showcase aggressive knurling textures and offer free AR-15 rail cover samples at SHOT Show 2027 Supplier Showcase Booth 51614. The lightweight polymer covers feature retro knurling designs with progressive multi-tier contact, directional control, and tapered fades for improved grip and handling.
As the calendar continues its advance to the opening day of the 2027 SHOT Show® — now less than 100 days away — it’s an ideal time to firm up your team’s travel plans to Las Vegas.
During SHOT Week®, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with more than 2,700 exhibitors across The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum exhibit halls. Every opportunity to maximize the value of your stay at SHOT Week is worth a consideration. And it starts with getting to Las Vegas.
Getting to Las Vegas
When it comes to airfare, there are a lot of so-called ways to save while traveling, such as booking flights on Tuesdays, flying in on a Sunday, price-checking one-way and round-trip airfare, etc.
Some of these approaches work. One that saves you time and heightens the possibility of securing lower prices is using price tracking tools (such as those available from Google Flights, Skyscanner, Expedia and Kayak), which monitor airfare changes and send notifications when prices change. These tools allow you to track prices for exact travel days. If timing is flexible, the “any dates” option is available. A drawback, of course, is this approach delays your ability to secure lodging while in Las Vegas.
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), about a 15–20-minute drive from The Strip, handles around 500 flights daily from 30 carriers. Several budget carriers, such as Allegiant, Frontier, Southwest and Sun Country, have extensive networks throughout the U.S. and have a major presence at LAS with multiple flights a day. These carriers offer significant cost-saving potential for business travelers.
For international travelers, there are select nonstop access from major destinations that include Paris (Air France), London (British Airways), Sydney (Qantas) and Seoul, South Korea (Korean Air). Announced in February, the first-ever Sydney-to-Las Vegas connection will begin as a seasonal service in December with three weekly flights lasting through March 2027.
SHOT Show attendees located within driving distance of Las Vegas have a ready-made opportunity to save. Flexibility with this mode of transportation gives drivers the opportunity to stock up on the week’s essentials outside of The Strip, bringing significant savings. Map out your trip to Las Vegas ahead of time and plan where to get gas in advance, look out for inflated prices at isolated stops and at the state line.
Upon Arrival: Taxis, Rideshare Apps — and Robotaxis?
As previously noted, the airport is nestled just minutes from The Strip, along with The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum.
Taxis are conveniently available at the airport and throughout Las Vegas, but often have higher fares compared to rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. However, unlike rideshare apps, taxi service operates with flat-rate zone pricing on rides from the airport to The Strip — so you’ll know what to expect ahead of time.
For taxi rides originating at LAS, all SHOT Show official hotels (other than Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas) are in Zone 3. This zone is the most expensive, with a flat rate of $30.25. A savings tip: if you pay your fare with cash, you’ll avoid a $3.00 credit card processing fee. Factoring in gratuity between 15–20 percent, you can expect a taxi ride to The Venetian Expo will be about $35 for cash payments.
For those arriving during off-peak hours (late at night or very early in the morning), ridesharing apps represent a cost-effective option. One drawback of these services is they tend to result in longer wait times, are not as conveniently located at LAS (taxis are located directly outside the baggage claim area) and have surge pricing during high-demand periods. It would be to your benefit to have both the Uber and Lyft apps installed on your smartphone ahead of time, so you can look at live prices from each source before choosing the more economical alternative.
To recap: Upon your arrival in Las Vegas, pull out your phone, check wait times and pricing on rideshare apps and compare them to what you already know about the flat-rate taxi fare. For those not in a hurry and the price is comparable, go with your personal preference.
While not a cost-savings measure — yet — autonomous robotaxis have a growing presence in Las Vegas. After debuting in Las Vegas with free public rides in Sept. 2025, Amazon’s Zoox self-driving taxi launched a paid service Aug. 10. It is the first robotaxi operator with official authorization to pick up and drop off passengers at LAS. Waymo is the only other autonomous operator currently active in Las Vegas, restricted to destinations on The Strip. While there is no need to tip driverless taxis, prices range above the other services examined here.
Competition for this market is quickly heating up: Waymo, Tesla Robotaxi and Aviari were recently approved to operate a combined 7,000 autonomous vehicles by the Nevada Transportation Authority. In time, as supply rises, perhaps prices will fall into more budget-friendly confines.
A Word on Rental Cars
For those lodging in short-term rental properties outside of The Strip and needing to transport gear/team members to and from the show, a rental car could prove useful during SHOT Week.
If convenience is preferred, the LAS Rent-A-Car Center is located three miles from the airport. Getting there requires a shuttle bus from the main terminals. Something to keep in mind: Prices at the airport are elevated compared to off-airport locations. Choosing your preferred rental car company in advance has the potential for cost savings by taking a taxi or using a ridesharing service from the airport to an offsite rental location.
January is a busy month for trade shows in Las Vegas (the World of Concrete Expo takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 19–21), so it behooves you to book car rentals early for wider availability and to lock in pricing.
Another consideration: Free parking in or near The Venetian Expo is becoming harder to find, so be prepared as you budget.
Getting to the Show During SHOT Week
For those attendees not staying at The Venetian/Palazzo or nearby hotels like Treasure Island, Harrah’s and the LINQ Hotel, there are both discounted and free options for getting to The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum each morning before the SHOT Show.
One is the Las Vegas Monorail for SHOT Show attendees staying along The Strip. During SHOT Show registration, take advantage of an exclusive discount and add an unlimited Monorail ticket to your registration. Your SHOT Show badge doubles as your ticket to ride; a Monorail pass is embedded in your badge’s QR code, so there’s no separate ticket to keep track of while in Las Vegas. Simply scan your badge at the faregate to activate the pass. Your unlimited-ride period begins with your first scan and continues for the length of the pass you purchased.
The Monorail has seven stops, with stations located at the Sahara, Westgate Resort (near Fontainebleau, Circus Circus and Resorts World), Las Vegas Convention Center, Harrah’s/Linq (this stop serves the SHOT Show, which connects directly to Caesars Forum), Flamingo/Caesars Palace and Horseshoe/Paris. The Monorail runs from 7:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m. Monday, 7:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m. Tuesday–Thursday and 7:00 a.m.–3:00 a.m. Friday–Sunday. Trains run every 4–8 minutes (sometimes as frequent as 5–6 minutes), depending on the time of day and day of the week.
Another resource is a free shuttle bus service. Routes serve 11 official SHOT Show hotels, bringing guests to to and from the SHOT Show during morning and afternoon service. Shuttle bus schedules will be posted online, as well as in the SHOT Show Mobile App prior to the show.
Everyone. Everything. All Together.
For four days in Las Vegas, the people, products and possibilities across our industry come together at the 2027 SHOT Show. With more than 2,700 exhibitors, thousands of new products on display and key decision makers all in one place, the opportunities available at the SHOT Show are unmatched.
When it comes to hotels near The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum, there is an abundance of options to fit a wide range of needs — providing both great value and convenience. We’ve identified some ways to save on lodging during SHOT Week®.
(Looking for more budget-saving tips for the 2027 SHOT Show? Bookmark shotshow.org/blog for insights on travel and more to come soon.)
Walkable, Budget-Friendly Hotels
When a hotel has budget-friendly rooms available and it’s a short walk to The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum, it’s a win-win. (A win for you, adding value to your team’s stay, and a win for employees who will appreciate the extra convenience after walking the SHOT Show’s miles of aisles each day.)
There are several official SHOT Show hotels available through onPeak — the only official hotel provider for the 2027 SHOT Show — that offer good value and a walkable distance to the convention halls. For the purposes of this evaluation, we’ll examine hotels in the onPeak block of rooms around $250 per night and within close walking distance to the show.
As of this writing, a handful of hotels offering both good value and walkable distance to the convention halls have widespread availability: Treasure Island (TI), Harrah’s, The LINQ Hotel, Horseshoe Las Vegas and Flamingo Las Vegas.
Between each of these properties, prices are in the same ballpark; a lot depends on individual needs and preferences. For example, there is a $50 per night difference between the TI on the higher end of this price range and Flamingo on the low end through onPeak. Across a four-night stay, this equates to a difference of $200 if your team decides to stay at the Flamingo. However, if you plan on using a vehicle during SHOT Week, parking is $20 a day at Flamingo for hotel guests and free at TI.
Speaking of TI, it has long been a popular hotel for SHOT Show attendees thanks to its proximity to The Venetian Expo (with a pedestrian bridge connecting the two properties), the aforementioned free parking and a CVS conveniently located inside its grounds — which offers significant cost savings for essentials.
The Flamingo is an icon of The Strip. Coinciding with its 80th anniversary this year, the Flamingo underwent renovations that included a redesigned lobby with an all-new bar and upgraded VIP check-in area. It also debuted refreshed public spaces and a full revamp of Bugsy’s Bar on the casino floor.
For those looking for a “classic” Las Vegas atmosphere, Horseshoe is a good fit. The LINQ has a contemporary, youthful vibe, as well as the neighboring (and lively) LINQ Promenade. Harrah’s completed a major $200 million renovation in 2021, resulting in significantly upgraded rooms. Each of these hotels is a modest walk from the SHOT Show.
A Word on “Sold Out” Hotels
For those booking through onPeak, if a hotel appears “unavailable” it only means the discounted SHOT Show block is sold out. (At the time of writing, Caesars Palace is the only hotel this applies to.) In most cases, you can still book direct through the hotel; it will just be at a higher nightly rate, include the full resort fee instead of a discounted resort fee and be without the protections and flexibility offered through onPeak.
To lock in better rates, many seasoned attendees and exhibitors book rooms a year in advance. There are times when they may not know how many team members they will send to the following year’s show and will reduce their own room block closer to their hotel’s reservation deadline as they lock in their show plans.
Reservation deadlines vary by hotel, ranging from late December to early January. Depending on how exhibitors and attendees adjust their room selections, availability in the onPeak block may open back up in SHOT Show hotels near the show — but it’s not something to count on.
Farther Out, on a Budget
There are additional official SHOT Show hotels available through onPeak at budget-friendly prices but require transportation to get to the show each day.
The added distance results in more savings. As of this writing, Sahara Las Vegas and Palace Station Hotel are priced right around $200 per night, while rooms at Plaza Hotel and Circus Circus Hotel are currently available for under $100 per night.
Each of these hotels have varying attributes, and like the first section above, your final choice will be based on pricing and personal preference.
Given all the footsteps you’ll take to peruse products at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum, it’s not advisable to walk to the show from any of these hotels. There are four methods to consider, with varying degrees of savings and convenience potential:
Free Option: Each of these four hotels are served by a free shuttle bus service to the SHOT Show, with morning and late afternoon service. This is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Convenient Option: Hailing a taxi or using rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can get you to the show floor at your convenience, but you’ll pay for it. Surge pricing will be in effect during the morning rush for the rideshare apps, making taxis a potentially more reasonable option.
Monorail Option: Recommended for Sahara and Circus Circus guests, the Las Vegas Monorail has a station connected to the Sahara. (Circus Circus guests can walk to either the Sahara Station or Westgate Station, each are about 15 minutes away by foot.) The Harrah’s/LINQ Station provides direct access to Caesars Forum. Trains run every 5–6 minutes beginning at 7:00 a.m. (Discounted Monorail passes are available to SHOT Show attendees, which can be purchased during SHOT Show registration.)
Personal Vehicle Option: If you elect to rent a vehicle or drive to Las Vegas, driving from your hotel to The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum is another option available. Keep in mind free parking along the Strip is becoming harder to come by, and traffic in parking lots near the show will be at a standstill around opening and closing times.
There are, of course, additional hotel options throughout Las Vegas that have budget-friendly pricing outside of the onPeak room block. Some are closer to the action than others, with varying degrees of convenience to do business in the convention hall.
A Hotel for Every Budget, Preference
The benefit of attending a trade show in Las Vegas is (pun intended) there are multiple games in town when it comes to lodging. In fact, there are nearly 300 hotels and resorts in Las Vegas. With 150,300 hotel rooms available, it would take a person 411.8 years to spend one night in every hotel room in Las Vegas.
All this to say: There are dozens of budget options within close walking distance of The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum from national chains such as the Best Western Plus Casino Royale, Las Vegas Marriott, Residence Inn, Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, Embassy Suites and more. It just takes a little bit of research to find the best fit.
Independent hotels, like Mardi Gras Hotel, Tuscany Suites and Ellis Island, are additional budget-friendly options within walking distance or a short taxi ride to the show.
More Ways to Save With Short-Term Rentals
Short-term rental properties, through providers like Airbnb and Vrbo, are available throughout Las Vegas and near The Strip. They offer numerous ways to save. For example, if you are sending four team members to attend the SHOT Show, one short-term rental has a savings edge over four separate hotel rooms.
Since these locations generally have a kitchen, the savings potential is significant. Team members can have meals together, brew coffee before heading to the show and store refrigerated items purchased from a grocery store.
There are still many short-term rental options available through both Airbnb and Vrbo during the week of the SHOT Show. Like booking a hotel, doing so well in advance will help lock in a better rate for you and your team. Be aware of scams: Keep all communication and payments on the Airbnb/Vrbo platforms and verify profiles and listings if details sound too good to be true.
Another consideration for booking budget lodging stays, the SHOT Show isn’t the only trade show happening in Las Vegas during SHOT Week. World of Concrete, which had nearly 50,000 attendees last year, runs Jan. 19–21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Coinciding with increased demand, prices for these options are elevated.
Everyone. Everything. All Together.
For four days in Las Vegas, everyone in the shooting, hunting, outdoor and law enforcement/tactical industry will be on hand at the 2027 SHOT Show to support everything about this great industry. With more than 2,700 exhibitors, thousands of new products on display and key decision makers all in one place, the opportunities available at the SHOT Show are unmatched.
Attending the show for multiple days represents a substantial investment, but there are plenty of other ways to stretch your budget throughout the week. To help you further experience SHOT Show on a budget, make sure you bookmark the first story in this series (budget-saving travel) and be on the lookout for additional articles covering entertainment, dining and more coming soon.
