NRA’s Annual Meeting & Exhibits 2005: Heading to Houston

5 Acres of Guns, Guides & Gear

Fairfax, VA – The National Rifle Association is pleased to announce this year’s Annual Meeting and Exhibits will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas from April 15-17, 2005. 

Members of the news media are welcome to cover this year’s event.  For press credentials please call NRA Public Affairs at (703) 267-3820.  Credentials will be available for pick-up in the Press Office (George R. Brown Convention Center, Room #304) starting Thursday, April 14.  Television crews and still photographers should bring necessary equipment and lenses (sports lenses) to cover events from platforms at a distance from the stage (throw distance for events – approximately 100 ft).

With an estimated 40,000 attendees and over 350 exhibits, this year’s Annual Meetings and Exhibits promises to be among the best in NRA history. New firearm models, various hunting and shooting accessories, and an extensive private collection displayed by NRA affiliated gun collector clubs will fill five acres of convention space.  

The popular air rifle range provides a safe, family friendly activity and the Game Calling Challenge is an attention-grabbing event – fun for participants and observers.  NRA offers diverse presentations throughout the three-day convention, including methods of conceal carry, women’s personal protection and power politics, World War II military arms, hunting in Texas and Africa, and firearms law.

This year, NRA welcomes House Majority Leader Tom DeLay as keynote speaker.  A resolute believer of American freedoms and values, Majority Leader DeLay will talk about important political issues and challenges facing hunters and gun owners across the country.

For more information; including Banquet tickets:

www.nraam.org

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 14             Member Registration, Information & Services: 2 pm - 6 pm

FRIDAY, APRIL 15           Member Registration, Information, and Services & Sales: 8 am - 6 pm

                                                                Exhibit Hall and Air Gun Range: 10 am - 6 pm

  8:00 am                                 Clubs & Associations Continental Breakfast

  8:00 am                                 Grassroots Continental Breakfast

  9:00 am                                 Clubs & Associations Workshop

  9:00 am                                                 Grassroots Workshop

  9:00 am                                 Annual Firearms Law Seminar

                                                                 - LIMITED SEATING, PREREGISTRATION RECOMMENDED

12:00 pm                                 Sportsmen’s Luncheon/Auction - TICKET REQUIRED

12:00 pm                                 Ladies’ Luncheon/Auction - TICKET REQUIRED

  1:00 pm                                 Opening Celebration

  3:00 pm                                 Special Sessions:

                                                                                *Methods of Concealed Carry

                                                                                *Should You Hunt Africa?

  6:00 pm                                 Friends of NRA Dinner/Auction - TICKET REQUIRED

SATURDAY, APRIL 16             Member Registration, Information, and Services & Sales: 8 am - 6 pm

                                                                Exhibit Hall and Air Gun Range: 10 am - 6 pm

  7:00 am                                 2005 Prayer Breakfast - TICKET REQUIRED

10:00 am                                 Annual Meeting of Members

  1:30 pm                                 Special Session:

                                                                                Women, Personal Protection & Power Politics

  3:30 pm                                 Special Session: God, Guns & Rock ‘N’ Roll with Ted Nugent

  6:00 pm                                 Heritage Society Reception

                                                                   - BY INVITATION ONLY

  7:00 pm                                 NRA Members Banquet Reception

  8:00 pm                                 134th NRA Members Banquet  - TICKET REQUIRED

SUNDAY, APRIL 17           Member Registration, Information, and Services & Sales: 8 am - 5 pm

                                                                Exhibit Hall and Air Gun Range: 10 am - 5 pm

  9:30 am                                 Special Session:

                                                                                *National Gun Collecting Awards Presentations

                                                                                                and Special Session

11:00 am                                 Special Sessions:

                                                                                *NRA and the Media - A Forum for Straight Shooters

                                                                                *Hunt Texas

  1:30 pm                                 Special Session:

                                                                                * U.S. Military Arms in World War II

MONDAY & TUESDAY, APRIL 18 & 19

  9:00 am                                 NRA Board of Directors Meeting

NOTE: A detailed program will be available in Houston

--nra--

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group.  Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime.  The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.