By Greg Hazley
Events giant Reed Exhibitions has pulled the plug on a major hunting and fishing show after sponsors and exhibitors boycotted the event over Reed’s ban on assault rifles.
Reed, part of Reed Elsevier, said it decided to postpone the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, a nine-day Harrisburg, Pa., extravaganza of guns, fishing gear and related wares which is one of the largest of its kind in the country, after speaking with customers and realizing the “atmosphere” would not support its focus on “family entertainment” through a focus on hunting and fishing.
Among companies that dropped out of the show were the National Rifle Association, retail giant Cabela's, hunting and sporting groups, along with gun makers like Ruger and Smith & Wesson and ammo maker Federal Ammunition. The withdrawals follow an online campaign -- via mynortheastoutdoors.com, Facebook and Twitter -- against the show.
Cabela's, the publicly traded Nebraska-based retailer with nearly $3B in revenue last year, said it pulled its sponsorship after weighing its business interests along with those of its customers. "After careful consideration regarding Cabela’s business practices, and the feelings of our customers, Cabela’s will, unfortunately, not have a presence at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show," the company said in a statement via Facebook, which drew more than 14K "likes" and 3,600 comments.
Reed, citing the post-Newtown massacre climate on guns, said it was limiting the sale of assault rifles -- "modern sporting rifles," in industry parlance -- at the event on its belief that the show was meant to promote hunting and fishing traditions.
“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," said Chet Burchett, Reed Exhibitions president for the Americas. "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."
Burchett said he hopes as the national debate over guns "clarifies" that Reed can consider rescheduling the Harrisburg show.
The International Bowhunting Organization, a group which says it promotes the sport of bowhunting, said it withdrew from events coinciding with the show in solidarity with the boycott. It said proceeds from events that could not be cancelled will be donated to the National Rifle Association "specifically to fight the threats to The Second Amendment currently being faced by law-abiding American firearms owners."
The online boycott campaign against the show is attempting to hold a virtual show to recover some of the thousands of dollars in non-refundable fees by the exhibitors and sponsors. |