Fairfax, VA – The National Rifle Association is pleased to announce this year’s Annual Meetings and Exhibits will be held at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from May 19-21, 2006. 

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 or email [email protected].  Credentials will be available for pick-up in the Press Office (Room 202 B) starting Thursday, May 18.  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 40-50,000 attendees and about 350 exhibits, this year’s Annual Meetings and Exhibits promises to be among the best in NRA history.  The exhibit hall will contain one of the largest and best displays of firearms, guides and outfitters in the country; featuring new firearm models, various hunting and shooting accessories, and an extensive private firearms collection displayed by NRA affiliated gun collector clubs.  

In addition, NRA offers a diverse array of activities throughout the three-day convention.  These include the Opening Celebration, with live music by surprise musical guests; the popular Ladies Luncheon; the NRA Silent Auction; Members Banquet; and a variety of informational presentations, such as methods of concealed carry, women’s personal protection and power politics, America’s greatest battle rifle, whitetail hunting and firearms law.  In addition, the popular air gun range provides a safe, family-friendly activity – fun for participants and observers.           

2006 ANNUAL MEETINGS & EXHIBITS PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, MAY 18          Member Registration, Information & Services: 2 pm - 6 pm

   6:00 pm                                 National NRA Foundation Banquet - TICKET REQUIRED

FRIDAY, MAY 19                 Member Registration, Information, and Services & Sales: 8 am - 6 pm

                                                Air Gun Range: 9 am - 6 pm; Exhibit Hall: 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

11:00 am                                  Sportsman’s Luncheon/Auction

11:00 am                                  Ladies Luncheon/Auction

  2:00 pm                                  Opening Celebration

  3:00 pm                                  Special Sessions:

                                                            --Methods of Concealed Carry

                                                            --Garand:  US Rifle Cal. 30 M1

SATURDAY, MAY 20          Member Registration, Information, and Services & Sales: 8 am - 6 pm

                                                Air Gun Range: 9 am - 6 pm; Exhibit Hall: 10 am - 6 pm

 7:00 am                                  2006 Prayer Breakfast - TICKET REQUIRED

10:00 am                                 Annual Meeting of Members

10:00 am - 6:00 pm                 NRA Foundation Silent Auction                          

 1:30 pm                                  Special Session:

                                                            --Women, Personal Protection and Power Politics

 6:00 pm                                  Heritage Society Reception

                                                   - BY INVITATION ONLY

 7:00 pm                                  NRA Members Banquet Reception

 8:00 pm                                  135th NRA Members Banquet  - TICKET REQUIRED

SUNDAY, MAY 21                Member Registration, Information, and Services & Sales: 8 am - 5 pm

                                                Air Gun Range: 9 am - 5 pm; Exhibit Hall: 10 am - 5 pm

  9:30 am                                  Special Session:

                                                            --National Gun Collector Awards Program

10:00 am - 5:00 pm                  NRA Foundation Silent Auction

11:00 am                                  Special Sessions:

                                                            --NRA and the Media:  A Forum for Straight Shooters

                                                            --Guaranteed Whitetail Tactics

For more information; including Banquet tickets:

www.nraam.org

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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.