M AY 4 - 6 , 2 0 1 8 OFFICIAL SPONSOR
A Show of Strength 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS & EXHIBITS DRAWS A RECORD 87,154 ATTENDEES TO DALLAS. Story and photos by NRA Staff
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hunderstorms ushered in the start of the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, but the rain didn’t dampen enthusiasm as a record number of people attended. The line to attend the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum stretched the length of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The Leadership Forum, where Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump were among the speakers, was one of the single biggest draws during the 147th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, sponsored by MidwayUSA. For the first time in the organization’s history, a sitting president and vice president both addressed NRA members. And there were plenty of other happenings to keep people busy. Events kicked off Thursday evening, with nearly 1,500 people attending the NRA Foundation Banquet & Auction, sponsored by Henry, Century Arms and Kimber. Attendees placed bids on hundreds of items during the silent auction before dinner, and the later live auction offered hunting excursions, firearms, a
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Nolan Ryan-autographed bat and ball, a Rascal Flatts-signed guitar and more. The main floor opened Friday, with more than 831 exhibitors. Attendees spent all weekend exploring new and exciting firearm products and accessories from industry leaders. The Women’s Leadership Forum held its lunch and auction, drawing about 1,200 women, and the evening ended with the ILA Dinner & Auction. Like the NRA Foundation event, each of these offered silent and live auctions, often allowing people to bid on one-of-a-kind items. Outside the exhibit hall, attendees could shoot at the Pyramyd Air air-gun range, congratulate Eddie Eagle on his 30th birthday, attend book signings, shop at the NRAstore and catch a sampling of country music from performers at the NRA Country Sound Stage. If the mix of music offered in the atrium whet someone’s appetite for more strumming of the six-string, the NRA Country Jam, featuring the Randy Rogers Band, was held offsite at Gilley’s Southside Music Hall. The Saturday main
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event had the Charlie Daniels Band and special guests Travis Tritt, and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. Weekend business included the Annual Meeting of Members, where members were updated on the state of the association and Directors were elected, and a slew of seminars were offered where people could learn the fundamentals of carrying concealed, the latest on legislation affecting our Second Amendment right and how to interact with law enforcement. Sunday started off with the National Prayer Breakfast and the Women’s New Energy Breakfast and Youth Day. Numerous new members joined the NRA, and fundraising efforts yielded record results, to go along with the record attendance. Next year, the Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be April 26-28 in Indianapolis. Start making plans early so you don’t miss out on the fun.
