As a twenty-year Navy SEAL veteran, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges, but nothing quite like the organized chaos that is SHOT Show. In the three years since my retirement, I’ve circled back to the firearms industry and started my own business—Elite Shooting Solutions—which provides executive team-building experiences, one-on-one shooting instruction, tailored public speaking, and trauma/first-aid instruction. With the advice of my business coach, Brian Baber, I decided to tackle the 2025 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, and let me tell you, it was an adventure worthy of an AAR (After Actions Report).
As a career military guy, I enjoy that “SHOT Show” is an acronym for “Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show.” According to the event website, the show boasted an impressive 54,000 industry professionals, 2,850 exhibitors, and a staggering 830,000 square feet of exhibition space. With 14 miles of aisles to navigate, I knew I needed a solid plan of attack. I’ve adapted my team selection methods, and now I’m running with “tier-one” family members instead of my fellow Tier-One operators. This trip was to be just the two of us—Mary, my amazing wife and I!
Mission Planning
My objectives were clear:
- Enjoy quality time with my wife in Vegas.
- Connect with companies whose products I already use.
- Discover new potential partnerships for my firearms/trauma first-aid instruction business.
To accomplish these objectives, I opted for a mix of planned meetings and spontaneous exploration. I mapped out specific sections of the show each day, targeting four to five vendors to visit in person. This approach allowed for both structure and the flexibility to stumble upon unexpected gems. Having quality time with my wife as objective number one helped keep me grounded in the turbulent sea of the show. It reminds me of the truth I experienced in the SEAL teams: when you are side-by-side with quality people, you can make it through otherwise impossible challenges.
Logistics: The First Battle
Getting to Vegas was an adventure. We snagged a direct flight to avoid any layovers in opposing locations (the last thing you want is an unplanned layover in a location where your magazine capacity is against the local “rules”). Despite getting a middle seat away from my wife, God blessed me with an enlightening conversation with Howard Ferel, a physically fit CEO of Jade-Sterling Steel Co., who was headed to the World of Concrete convention. We discussed some parallels between our careers and our shared search for fulfillment; I got to share how centering my life on Christ was the game-changer for me!
Once in Vegas, we skipped the rental car, opting for occasional ride-sharing for special outings and airport transfers. Daily, we utilized the monorail system, which, after a short walk from our hotel, easily got us to the convention.
Tip - When registering through NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation), you can purchase discounted monorail tickets and use them via the QR code on your SHOT Show badge.
On the Ground
The scene at Caesars Forum and the Venetian Expo was bustling, filled with vendor booths, including some large ones I was interested in, like SIG SAUER, Eotech, and MantisX. From a broader perspective, the exhibition is organized into several key categories:
- Primary Audience for Firearms: This includes all products and services related to guns.
- Suppliers: Vendors providing various supplies and equipment.
- Hunting: Focused on products and services for hunting enthusiasts.
- Military and Law Enforcement: Dedicated to tactical gear and equipment for professionals in these fields.
These categories were distributed between the two convention centers and further divided among two primary floors and five smaller ones, allowing for a comprehensive showcase of specialized products.
Day one at the show was a whirlwind. After paying for the monorail because we didn’t have our badges yet, we rode it for five minutes and were at the convention. Our first priority was to visit the expanded Supplier Showcase, which only ran for two days. The showcase is for companies producing, ordering, and utilizing products at scale. Since my business has a narrow focus on individual clients and small groups, it made me eager to get into the main portion of the convention.
Tip - Tip: SHOT Show badges can be picked up at the airport and/or some hotels on the Strip.
Our time at the show flew by with the execution of the plan my wife and I built in the SHOT Show app. We sought out companies I’m already using and several that were either of interest or from my home state, Ohio, including HOP Munitions, Ferro Concepts, Meprolight, MantisX, and StopBox, among the top ones I visited at the show.
Unexpected Reunions
One of the best moments at the show was running into Jim Foreman of Ferro Concepts, who put me through selection as a Tier-One SEAL over a decade ago. I can vividly remember him instructing me on working angles in the kill house while instructing my class on CQC(Close Quarters Combat). It was surreal to catch up and think back to our operational days, plus discuss the challenges currently facing warfighters. Jim is a legend, and I’m blessed to call him my friend. I’m very much looking forward to doing some reviews on Ferro Concepts’ latest gear.
Going the Distance
Throughout the week, my wife and I logged a semi-sensational thirty miles of walking! After long days at the convention, I focused on going where she wished. It was our first time back in Vegas together since we were married there twenty years ago.
Tip - Pack comfortable walking shoes for everyone, and for the ladies, maybe some dressy tactical heels for those fancy dinners.
I gladly took her to several locations of her choice after she patiently joined me throughout the day and through many technical conversations with industry professionals. We had two favorite after-hour outings. First was our anniversary dinner at Cleaver. We shared an amazing porterhouse for two and our favorite dessert—crème brûlée. The food was top-notch, and the serving staff made us feel valued, even as the restaurant buzzed with other customers.
The second favorite was the Arte Museum, even fancier than our dessert. I thoroughly enjoyed the two hours we spent there, observing a half-dozen dynamic art exhibits. The feeling of being engulfed by huge rooms where every wall is moving art was an enjoyable counter to the busyness of the convention. Take a look at the museum’s website to see what we experienced.
Gratitude
My trip to SHOT Show wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my loving family. A big thanks to my mother-in-law for holding down the fort and taking care of my four sons during the trip, to my sons for keeping our animals alive during a polar vortex, and to my dad, Mark Gonska, for pitching in with some energy-expending events. Most importantly, I thank my wife for being by my side throughout our travels, the show, and the fun times together.
In the end, SHOT Show 2025 feels like more than just a trade show; it’s a reunion of the firearms community, a showcase of innovation, and a chance to forge new connections. As I reflect on the experience, I’m grateful for the opportunity to transition from operator to educator and continue serving the community I love in a new capacity.
Stay tuned for more coverage on my favorite SHOT Show companies, including special reviews on new gear.