We’ve all heard it: “The early bird gets the worm.” This adage holds true when it comes to planning for a successful week at the SHOT Show®. With the second half of 2026 already here, the 2027 SHOT Show is on the not-so-distant horizon. It’s never too early to develop a winning strategy for you and your team.
Your decision to attend the largest event in the firearm industry represents a sizable investment — and any way to enhance the value of your time in Las Vegas at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum is a worthy consideration. Locking in your hotel stay well in advance of the show represents one way to immediately add value.
Jimmy Hyman, vice president and general manager of Green Top Sporting Goods in Ashland, Va., has attended the past 12 SHOT Shows. As needs have changed over the years, he’s spearheaded accommodations for anywhere between three to 11 staff members. Whether it’s 11 or a smaller figure, a team’s flights, hotel rooms and meals for an entire week quickly add up.
By the conclusion of SHOT Week® each year, Hyman has already prepared for the next year’s show by booking his team’s accommodations.
“Before we leave Las Vegas, I make our reservations at The Venetian. Over the past 12 years we’ve stayed at Rio and Treasure Island. But, by sheer convenience, The Venetian can’t be beat. By booking a year out, we lock in a better rate,” he said.
Dual Benefits of Early Reservations
Booking accommodations early not only results in a more favorable rate, but also broad selection from the show’s headquarters hotel and any of the nearly 20 official SHOT Show hotels available through onPeak. Several of these hotels are easy walking distance (or directly connected) to The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum — providing further convenience and savings for getting to and from the exhibition halls. (Rideshare, taxi, parking and rental car expenditures would be significantly reduced or not even needed.)
As of this writing, many of the official SHOT Show hotels have budget-friendly rates — available at a nightly rate of $250 or less. Over the course of four or more nights during SHOT Week, these economical prices make a real difference.
An additional benefit of securing hotel accommodations early is it provides an opportunity to lock in better airfare rates. All of this combines to provide further visibility of expected expenses before attending the SHOT Show, allowing for you to budget for extra incidentals.
As the early bird gets the worm, the early planner for the 2027 SHOT Show has more options and ability to secure vital savings. The 2027 SHOT Show will be here before we know it, running Jan. 19–22.
As always, an active NSSF membership will help you save at SHOT Show by providing special pricing on exhibit space, event registration, SHOT University™ educational sessions, Lead Retrieval and complimentary access to the NSSF member lounges around the show. Check your membership status today by contacting membership@nssf.org.
– Jade Moldae, Director of Content, NSSF