Harrisburg show cancelled by Reed Exhibitions

Just went to the Reed site and they have "postponed" the Harrisburg show with a lame excuse.
Unfortunately, with them being a world wide enterprise with over 500 shows, this one show my be small peanuts to them.

My letter to Reed Exhibitions follows:


Mr. Chet Burchett
Reed Exhibitions President for the Americas

Sir,

Your decision on AR style rifles at the Harrisburg Outdoors Show only brings to the fore how deeply we take our Second Amendment rights to our Constitution. You have seen by first hand experience now that gun ownership and the style of guns offered on the market is taken very seriously by the entire sporting community. AR style rifles are owned and used by the full cross section of hunters and sportsmen in this county and the right to own and/or even view them at shows is taken as the RIGHT granted in our Constitution. This is not to be trifled with.

Your commentary about the decision to disallow the display of these rifles at the show was a big misreading of the American sportsman on your part. Those rifles in NO WAY detract from the family atmosphere of such a show and they are used buy hunters, target shooters and competitors not only here in the USA but around the world.

With this decision you have not only alienated the entire US sportsman population but you have severely damaged the businesses of every one of your show exhibitors. SOME MAY NEVER RECOVER AND SOME MY HAVE TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS DUE TO YOUR ACTIONS! This was an unconscionable act on your part.

As you are a large, world wide corporation, I fear even if your events in the sporting world here in the USA go asunder, you will still survive financially unlike many of your event subscribers.

I would strongly suggest that you make an effort to find a competitor of yours, in the event promotion field, and transfer your sportsman show business over to them, at no cost. THAT would be a constructive move on your part.

Frankly, the sportsmen of the USA don't want an event promoter with your political leanings and we would be very grateful to see you leave the business.

Sincerely,
Clifford Biggs
NRA Member

Cliffy

Great letter...thanks for sharing

I just recieved this email. Cliffy, I guess I jinxed myself!!!!


Reed Exhibitions has decided to postpone, for now, the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show given the controversy surrounding its decision to limit the sale or display of modern sporting rifles (also called ARs) at the event. The show was scheduled to take place February 2-10 in Harrisburg, PA.
Refunds will be provided for all fees paid to date (January 24, 2013) to Reed Exhibitions for the 2013 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show. We will detail the refund process on our web site and in an additional email by January 31, 2013.

"Our original decision not to include certain products in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show this year was made in order to preserve the event's historical focus on the hunting and fishing traditions enjoyed by American families," said Chet Burchett, Reed Exhibitions President for the Americas. "In the current climate, we felt that the presence of MSRs would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests. This was intended simply as a product decision, of the type event organizers need to make every day.

"It has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year's show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment. It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing.

"ESS has long been proud to participate in the preservation and promotion of hunting and fishing traditions, and we hope that as the national debate clarifies, we will have an opportunity to consider rescheduling the event when the time is right to focus on the themes it celebrates."

Cheers Canada and US, I guess I will be back in the warm weather sooner than I thought I would be!

Reed has taken so much heat and lost so many sponsors that they finally took notice

Home - Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show

Reed Exhibitions has decided to postpone, for now, the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show given the controversy surrounding its decision to limit the sale or display of modern sporting rifles (also called ARs) at the event. The show was scheduled to take place February 2-10 in Harrisburg, PA.

徹ur original decision not to include certain products in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show this year was made in order to preserve the event痴 historical focus on the hunting and fishing traditions enjoyed by American families, said Chet Burchett, Reed Exhibitions President for the Americas. 的n the current climate, we felt that the presence of MSRs would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests. This was intended simply as a product decision, of the type event organizers need to make every day.

的t has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year痴 show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment. It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing.

摘SS has long been proud to participate in the preservation and promotion of hunting and fishing traditions, and we hope that as the national debate clarifies, we will have an opportunity to consider rescheduling the event when the time is right to focus on the themes it celebrates.

Sounds like some BS, to CYA (theirs).... I hated the m-16 while in the military, loved the m-14. Had the opportunity to train with both. The inaccurate m-16 with the little 5.56 bullet made NO sense to me, I would rather pack the extra weight to get the accuracy of a m-14 and the knock down of the larger round.

I never gave the AR a second thought until last year, I bought a DPMS (too good of a deal to pass up) and was very happy with the results down range with surplus and hunting ammo. Found out from the dealer that a lot of guys were using the Federal Fusion 62gr. for hunting Whitetail, my son loves the rifle and adopted it from MY collection. So I decided to buy a Bushmaster Varmiter, and the accuracy surpassed that of the DPMS with the three previously mentioned loads.

Folks, I didn't want to admit it (as I wasn't a fan of the 223, as my previous post's are clear on) however, they are a part of the HUNTING culture. They are amazing little rifles, and with the loads available these days, they are even more amazing. I guess Eastern Sports may start to realize that, (as I did) and hopefully soon.

Reed also puts on the SHOT Show. I saw an announcement that the NSSF was considering finding a different producer. Maybe that will get their attention.

I'm an old "blue steel and walnut" guy, but 35bore is right - ARs are here to stay. Lots of guys out here use them for coyotes or hogs and they work.

Originally Posted by Hotfire Hunting Safaris

"It has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year's show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment. It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing.

Sounds like a side step to me, they still don't have a clue. Its got nothing to do with the 1,000 exhibiters its got to do with the Second Amendment rights to our Constitution and the millions of Sportsmen that support those rights.

I saw a wonderful picture of a demonstrator (for the banning of firearms) being outwitted by a man standing next to him holding a banner the read "MY SPOON MADE ME FAT" - excellent take on the skewed mindset that can be so easily cultured.

Could not help thinking of a parallel decision taken by NAPHA and adopted by MET a few years ago that of banning hounds for hunting Leopard. Needed a signage then that read "hounds exceed the quota".
Fact is that people can jump on a band wagon when they have no vested interest regardless of the sense, or lack thereof.

Ban assault weapons and the automatics will follow - then shotguns ............

Hounds are a really valuable tool that can benefit Leopard conservation by being specie specific and allowing hunters to kill only large adult males. In fact a Panthera representative announced at the most recent PHASA convention that they support a no permit model for Leopard hunting provided the target is male and older than 5 or 6 years. What other method can support this better than hounds?

Unfortunately I, like the firearm bearer, have a vested interest so my opinion will be slanted by those against - regardless of the obvious sense.

I received an email from Reed Exhibitions about the show.

This is the link Home - Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show

Full refunds coming!

This is Great! It looks as though they are trying to cover their butts after screwing up, it makes me feel better that those that supported us in our fight will not lose out completely yes they missed out on some clients but earned a lot more respect from those of us that know them.

Bob,

I agree 100%. I have supported several companys that boycotted the show already. I make sure they know why they are getting my business now
and will in the future.

As I said before, it probably won't impact their bottom line overall (considering all the world wide shows they do) but it's good that all are getting refunds. It won't change their political mind either.

Originally Posted by Cliffy

As I said before, it probably won't impact their bottom line overall (considering all the world wide shows they do) but it's good that all are getting refunds. It won't change their political mind either.

I don't think it will change their political mind either however I hope they will remain Silent and respect the veiws of other while they make a million rather then open ther mouths and lose a million. But one never knows.