Record-Breaking Attendance at Kinsey’s Dealer Show 2023
Kinsey's Dealer Show 2023, held at the Hershey Lodge from Feb. 17 to 19, 2023, drew record-breaking attendance from dealers across the country.
The annual trade show, hosted by Kinsey's Inc., is an important event for archery and firearms retailers and vendors, offering a sneak peek at the latest products and innovations in the archery, hunting, shooting and outdoor industry.
"We are thrilled with the turnout at this year's Kinsey's Dealer Show," said Kelsey Heisey, VP of operations and administration at Kinsey's Inc. "The high attendance reflects the strong interest in our industry and the importance of connecting with retailers and vendors to promote growth and success in 2023."
In addition to the main exhibit hall and margin-maximizing events, Kinsey's hosted a Dealer Appreciation Night on February 18, which featured a performance from country star, and Hershey native, Warren Zeiders. The night also featured the first Kinsey's Dealer's Choice Awards.
The event culminated with the event’s grand prize giveaways. The following dealers walked away from KDS23 with more than just a great show.
- $5,000 GSM Outdoors Package – Steuben Sporting Goods
- $100 Kinsey’s Account Credit – Craft and Shaft Inc.
- Kinsey’s Gift Basket with Hershey Lodge Gift Certificate – Broken Arrow Archery LLC
KDS23 Dealer’s Choice Awards
The new Dealer’s Choice Awards at KDS23 recognized the best-in-class vendors across six categories. Kinsey's dealers voted for their top picks based on quality products, innovative products, ease of doing business, and margin consideration.
"We are proud to introduce the Dealer's Choice Awards at this year's Kinsey's Dealer Show," said Alex Cameron, director of purchasing at Kinsey's. "Our dealers are the backbone of our business, and we value their feedback and insights. These awards are a testament to the commitment and dedication of our vendors in delivering exceptional products to our dealers."
Here are this year’s winners:
- Firearms Category: Savage
- Ammo Category: Hornady
- Optics Category: Leupold
- Archery Category: TenPoint Crossbows
- Hunting Accessory Category: Spypoint
- Archery Accessory Category: Easton
The winners were announced during the Dealer Appreciation night, and each vendor received a trophy and recognition from its peers.
"We want to congratulate all the winners of this year's Dealer Choice Awards," said Cameron. "These vendors represent the best of the best in the outdoor and archery industry, and we are honored to work with them."
The success of this year's Kinsey's Dealer Show underscores the continued growth and interest in the hunting, shooting and outdoor industry. Kinsey's Inc. remains committed to supporting the industry and providing top-quality products and services to its customers. Sponsors for this year’s show include FeraDyne, Easton, Vista Outdoor, TenPoint, and GSM Outdoors.
USA Archery Indoor Nationals Final Purse Grows to More Than $70k
The 2023 USA Archery Indoor Nationals Final, set for March 23, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky, is a spotlight showdown that invites the top recurve, compound and barebow archers from 12 regional events of the 54th USA Archery Indoor Nationals to compete in head-to-head elimination matches. The Final has a total prize purse of $71,500 with payouts to all places.
This is an increase from the initially announced $65,600 thanks to Lancaster Archery Supply generously stepping up once again to support the combined gender barebow division.
Rob and Carole Kaufhold, president and CEO of Lancaster Archery Supply, said, “We are always humbled by the support of the barebow community at the Lancaster Archery Classic. This contribution allows us the opportunity to support them in one of the best showcase events of the indoor season.”
The Indoor Final is open to archers of all ages and abilities as all categories in each of the male and female recurve and compound, and gender combined barebow divisions are combined for overall rankings.
For recurve and compound categories, prize money is as follows: first, $8,000; second, $4,000; third, $2,000; fourth, $1,000; fifth, $500; sixth, $400, seventh, $300; and eighth, $200.
Barebow prize money: first, $2,500; second, $1,250; third, $650; fourth, $500; fifth, $250; sixth, $250, seventh, $250; and eighth, $250.
USA Archery Honors Past President With Legacy Award
Mrs. Jane Johnson, a legend in the archery world, had twice been president of the National Archery Association, now USA Archery, and a Level 4-NTS Coach who put decades of tireless effort into growing the sport. She was also honored with the George Helwig JOAD Award in 2009, a judge since 1984, and she judged the 1996 Olympic Games.
USA Archery was heartbroken to hear of Johnson’s recent passing, and the organization joined the archery community and Johnson’s family in mourning the loss of one of the sport’s greatest icons.
USA Archery CEO Rod Menzer said, “Jane had the biggest heart, was always full of joy, and there are thousands of archers, coaches and judges who share her passion for the sport because of her care, generosity, mentorship and dedication.”
To honor and pay tribute to Johnson’s countless contributions to the sport of archery, USA Archery is renaming its judge recognition award the Jane Johnson Distinguished Judge Service Award. Johnson was the second recipient of this peer-voted award in 2017 for upholding the greatest ideals of sportsmanship and fair play.
Most nationally competitive members of USA Archery can remember Johnson carrying her step stool up and down the field while she served as a judge at countless events, diminutive in stature and needing the boost to call arrows. She was known for her witty puns, sharp sense of humor and kind smile.
Johnson also served on the National Archery Association Foundation as Secretary, Treasurer and President, and on the board of the National Archery Hall of Fame. Jane's contributions to the sport extended to USA Archery's original collegiate program. Johnson officiated several Olympic Festivals and led the archery events at the 1989 Olympic Festival in Oklahoma.
Johnson left her mark on the archery world at the state, national, continental and international levels. Johnson’s legacy is forever emblazoned on the walls of H&H Gun Range in Oklahoma City, where Johnson held weekly Trosper JOAD Club meetings for years and introduced countless 4-H members, Scouts and other members of the community to archery.
The wall at H&H reads: “Focus on your goals, one arrow at a time.” – Jane Johnson
Johnson was a middle school math teacher in Oklahoma City, where she took on the role of archery coach in 1980 when the former coach retired. Her sons, Cullen and Ward, had participated in archery in school and she did not want to see the athletic program disappear. Having grown up in a military family and changed schools 13 times in her childhood, Johnson found a sense of belonging in the archery community and made sure everyone who enjoyed the sport because of her felt that same sense of home.
Toxey Haas Earns NWTF Hunting Heritage Award
The National Wild Turkey Federation recently recognized Toxey Haas, founder and CEO of Mossy Oak, with the Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award for his contributions to conservation and the preservation of our hunting heritage.
"I am beyond humbled to be the recipient of the 2023 Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award," Haas said. "With my lifelong involvement in the NWTF, I am keenly aware of the monumental significance of this award, and all of its past recipients. I could not be recognized in more fulfilling and gratifying way. Having grown up knowing her and her family makes it even more special. As everyone well knows, turkeys have been in my life since my earliest days. Regardless of my love for all wildlife, nature and the earth itself, turkeys and turkey hunting and turkey conservation have always come first. Even as an enterprise and a brand, for Mossy Oak, turkeys are the center of the bullseye. It is with the deepest heart of gratitude I accept the award on behalf of the Haas family and all the truly amazing family within the Mossy Oak brand. It is one we will cherish forever."
Haas accepted the award during the NWTF’s 50th anniversary celebration at its 47th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
The Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award’s namesake was a former president and chairperson of the NWTF’s National Board of Directors. During her tenure, she emphasized the importance of hunting heritage and helped create a new outlook for the organization.
As Boykin did, Haas lives his life working to advance our nation’s outdoor traditions.
Haas’ love of the outdoors and conservation was passed on to him through his father. He founded Haas Outdoors in 1986 with an idea to make camouflage more realistic, giving rise to Mossy Oak, one of the NWTF’s strongest partners. Haas is an avid turkey hunter and said, “There is something intangible about the wild turkey; it is at the center of our brand and of our family.”
Through Haas’ leadership, Mossy Oak has been a staunch supporter of NWTF, sponsoring our national convention, conservation efforts, and scholarships for youth and hunting heritage programs that pass on outdoor traditions.
“Having like-minded partners can make for an incredible partnership,” said NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter. “Toxey is certainly no exception to this rule. He and Mossy Oak allow us to elevate our impact to unprecedented levels. We are incredibly proud to present Toxey with the Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award for his immense impact to preserve America’s hunting heritage.”
USA Archery Hires Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
USA Archery recently announced the appointment of Richard Fleming as senior director of communications and marketing. Fleming brings with him more than 30 years in the sports industry as a writer, broadcast journalist, content creator, and digital and communications strategist.
Fleming is a native of the United Kingdom but has lived in the United States for 10 years with his wife and three children. He started out working in newspapers as a sports journalist, before moving into radio and digital media with the BBC.
Brought to America by the sport of soccer, Fleming was a TV host and commentator covering Major League Soccer, but has vast experience in many sports, among them boxing at the London Olympic Games in 2012, as well as Wimbledon tennis.
His career has taken him to most corners of the globe, including Ukraine, Mali, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia, Angola, Qatar, and even North Korea. During an assignment in Vienna in 2008, he spent time with colleagues as a guest of Sir Elton John prior to his show.
Fleming said, “I love sport in all its forms, and I’m so excited to join USA Archery at a time of such fantastic growth. At my core I’m a storyteller, and I can’t wait to help elevate all our great athletes, from grassroots to Olympic hopefuls.”
