Are you looking for a place to connect with like-minded women in our industry? We hope you are able to attend the Women of the Gun (WOG) event at this year’s SHOT Show. This year marks the 11th occurrence of this gathering, which takes place at the Venetian Expo and Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas. We’re proud to partner with The National Shooting Sport’s Foundation’s (NSSF’s) Project ChildSafe to host this popular women’s event, and look forward to taking part in it every year. In this post, we’ve rounded up coverage of past events.
In 2016, The WON’s publisher, Barbara Baird and other women from the shooting industry launched a Meet & Mingle networking opportunity for women in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry. In 2020, it merged with NSSF’s Women of the Gun reception to become a highly anticipated and popular event with female executives, industry representatives, USA Shooting Olympians, members of the media and more in attendance.
Past WOGs
5th Annual Women of the Gun a Resounding Success
NSSF’s Project ChildSafe and the Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) hosted the 5th Annual “Women of the Gun” event on Wed., Jan. 24, in Las Vegas, Nevada, during NSSF’s annual SHOT Show convention. More than 200 attendees, representing all facets of the outdoor world, joined to celebrate the achievements of women in the shooting sports and rally around a commitment to promoting firearm safety.
3rd Annual Women of the Gun Raises Awareness for Project ChildSafe
On January 22, 2020, more than 300 people gathered at the 3rd Annual Women of the Gun reception, held at the 42nd annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas. Project ChildSafe and Women’s Outdoor News again collaborated to recognize prominent and emerging females in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industries.
Team WON at the Women of the Gun
Attendees then had the opportunity to mingle and network with other members of the industry and share ideas, thoughts, concerns and perhaps, plan future endeavors.
Vera Koo: On Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking
As a bonus, we include a post from our dear friend, Vera Koo, about her experience hosting last year’s WOG event.
Standing on a ballroom stage inside The Palazzo in Las Vegas, I faced down one of my greatest fears – public speaking.
When Barbara Baird, of “Women’s Outdoor News,” called me just before Halloween and asked me to speak during the Women of the Gun reception at SHOT Show, she provided an answer to my prayers.
Barbara Baird, Publisher of Women’s Outdoor News, Vera Koo and Michelle Cerino, Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News.
Continue reading Vera’s inspiring post about her time at WOG, here.
Meet & Mingle Remembrance
What Happened at the Meet & Mingle 2018
In this post, covering the third-annual women’s event at SHOT, Becky Yackley describes her experience at the gathering:
“This is my 3rd year attending, and one of the things that strikes me about this event is that for many, in such an insane week of work, the Meet & Mingle provides a chance for them to connect with people that we need to meet and have business with, but also friends we otherwise might not get a chance to catch up with, due to people’s busy schedules.”
Continue reading Becky’s coverage of the event, here.
Photo Gallery: 2017 Women’s Meet & Mingle at SHOT Show
At the second-annual event, between 300-to-400 people filled the Bonnier Sportsman’s Lounge in the Sands Expo Center. Barbara Baird, publisher of The WON, said the following about this popular event:
“We received positive feedback from our survey following last year’s event. We were delighted to host a gathering where women in the industry met and networked. Special thanks to Susan LaPierre, of the NRA Women’s Network, and Julie Golob, professional competitor and retail seminar presenter at SHOT Show 2017, for their guidance in planning and helping to make this event a success. We could never have provided such a warm and relaxing afternoon event without the generosity of our 10 sponsors.”
Lynne Green, of Syren, and Cristy Crawford, of Shoot Like A Girl. (Cassie Todd-Jameson photo)
We hope to see our friends in the industry, and hope to connect with new women, as well. Have a great SHOW! Visit this link to register for a free pass to the Women of the Gun 2026.
Jackie Baird Richardson is an interior designer, editor at The WON and avid junker. Watch for her design tips and occasional crafting ideas, bringing the outdoors indoors.
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