Want more news?

Consider joining CEO Update. Membership gives full access to the latest intelligence on association management, career advancement, compensation trends and networking events, as well as hundreds of listings for senior-level association jobs.

Click here for membership details.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation announced Friday the cancellation of next year's SHOT Show--the latest in a string of live event cancellations and postponements in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic shows few signs of receding.

The SHOT Show is one of the larger trade shows in the U.S., with last year's event attracting more than 60,000 people in the firearms, hunting and law enforcement industries, according to an NSSF fact sheet. The event is for industry professionals only and not open to the public.

The 2021 SHOT Show was scheduled to be held from Jan. 19-22 in Las Vegas. In a statement, NSSF CEO Joe Bartozzi said the group was forced to cancel the event after recent spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases made it unlikely that larger gatherings of people would be allowed anytime soon.

"Given the sheer complexities, diminishing timeline and immense logistical planning required to conduct a trade show as large as SHOT, NSSF simply could not move forward at this point with so many unknowns and variables," he said.

Other associations have also had to cancel or postpone events in the first half of 2021, with some instead announcing virtual events in their place. Bartozzi didn't announce any plans for a virtual event, saying the group is positioning itself for a live 2022 event "that will be undoubtedly the best in our industry's history."

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Groups create 'Waste & Recycling for Dummies' book
• Candy group moves 2021 trade show from Chicago to Indianapolis
• New flower association blooms
• Medical groups reject Trump COVID death claims