Observations regarding the changes in the distributor model in yesterday’s Wire kicked off some interesting email exchanges today. Seems almost everyone has noticed the closures, but not many who weren’t involved directly or otherwise, have spent much time considering the fact that the distributor model has been a steadying influence on the industry for a long time.
As one reader asked “are any of your industry friends even remotely looking at how things can/will change with the middleman being removed every month?” The answer to that is, yes, otherwise, there wouldn’t be the kind of concern we’re hearing.
Amazon’s online drop-shipping model has changed traditional retailing. No one’s arguing that, but one of the industry’s concerns isn’t that it will kill off distributors. Distributorship consolidation is going to happen - that’s a foregone conclusion. A primary concern is that the “virtue signaling” and denial of access to the capital markets by other companies and service providers will mean the firearms industry can’t participate in the evolution. If that’s the case, it could be the equivalent of using pony express when everyone else is motoring by on the railroad.
There are several concerns associated with the distributor shakeups, and it’s a tough question to handle in a few dozen words. It’s a story worth a lot more detail and background than we’ve given it to this point - but we’re working it.
Speaking of changes…we got several calls, emails and messages yesterday from readers in the archery space (sounds so “current” when you say “space”). The calls centered on a single topic: changes to the Archery Trade Association Show for 2020.
Seems a change approved by the ATA Board of Directors back in April slid under plenty of radarscopes - and caused plenty of consternation yesterday.
The change? The first day of ATA 2020 is “Buyer’s Only” - no (or almost no) media allowed. Several PR companies and manufacturers were something less than happy when they realized the first day would be reserved for selling and order taking.
I reached out first to ATA to verify the change. It is true, but the ATA also had a reasoning behind the decision:
“This decision was certainly not taken lightly, we heard loud and clear from manufacturers and retailers alike that the amount of “non-buyer badges” were overrunning the Show floor where manufacturers time was being capitalized by individuals that were trying to solicit sponsorships and other industry support.”
That’s the reasoning behind the vote. But the ATA Board and staff say they realize the importance of good press contacts within the industry.
They wanted to let everyone- including the members of the media who might think the first day of ATA would essentially be a waste for them, that “any registered member of the press is able to be on site at the Indy Convention Center on Day 1. They can conduct meetings or interviews off the show floor in the member lounge or media room.”
So there’s the answer.
Finally, we have received a schedule of memorial services for legendary TV-fishing celebrity Jerry McKinnis. The first memorial service will be held Friday, November 8, at St. James UMC, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, in Little Rock, Arkansas.
There will be a second ceremony on Monday, November 11 at First Baptist Church, 721 Alford Street, in Flippin, Arkansas.
To many in both towns, McKinnis is a dear friend lost.
Our colleague Jay Kumar at BassBlaster pointed out in McKinnis’ obituary one service detail that was totally in character.
“At the end of the service info,” Kumar writes, “it says…’oh yeah, Jerry says ‘Jeans only.’”
We’ll keep you posted.
— Jim Shepherd
