If you’re planning your week at the 2027 ATA Show, set aside time for the Archery and Bowhunting Summit, Jan. 7-8, 2027. This isn’t just another presentation. It’s a focused look at what’s actually happening in bowhunting and archery participation — and what the industry should do next.
Retailers, manufacturers, state agencies, educators and conservation partners will come together to look at real research and talk through real solutions. The goal is simple: understand participation trends and make better decisions because of them.
Retailers, especially, will benefit from the context behind what they’re already seeing in their stores. You know when new customers are walking in for their first lesson, when seasoned hunters are upgrading gear, and when traffic starts to shift. The Summit explains why those patterns are happening. Attendees will get early access to findings from the 2026 Bowhunting Market Study, including participation trends, motivations, barriers to entry and buying behavior. You’ll also see insights from the 2025 Crossbow Market Study, including how crossbow users participate in multiple outdoor activities and what that means for future growth.
This kind of information supports smarter inventory planning, more focused marketing, and stronger programming. Instead of relying on instinct alone, you’ll have data to guide decisions. You’ll be able to compare your local market to national benchmarks, better understand adult-onset and returning hunters, and use credible research in conversations with staff, community partners and local officials. This helps align in-store efforts with broader Recruit, Retain, Reactivate initiatives — known as R3 — so your work connects to the bigger picture.
Clear data reduces guesswork. It helps you invest with confidence, communicate more clearly with your team, and explain your strategy to partners. When you understand what drives participation, you can focus your time and resources on where they will have the most impact.
The Summit will also highlight specific ATA resources and programs available to members. You’ll learn what tools, marketing support, educational materials and partnership opportunities the ATA already offers — and how to use them to bring in more customers and strengthen your bottom line. Instead of trying to build everything from scratch, you’ll see where existing support can plug directly into your business strategy.
We also understand that time at the ATA Show is extremely valuable. You are there to write orders, meet with partners, and handle real business. The Summit is structured with that in mind. Sessions are concise and focused, and you can choose the topics that matter most to you. Attend the discussions that align with your priorities, gather the information you need, and get back to the Show floor. While each session stands on its own, together they provide a clear, comprehensive picture of participation and growth opportunities.
The Summit is designed for discussion, not passive listening. Retailers will share what is working in their markets. Manufacturers will contribute insight into product trends and consumer behavior. Agencies will provide perspective on funding, education efforts and recruitment programs. The conversations are grounded in research but focused on practical applications. Participants leave with tools, frameworks and messaging guidance they can use right away — whether that’s improving staff training, strengthening leagues and demo days, or refining outreach efforts.
Manufacturers and agency partners also gain value by hearing directly from retailers who interact with customers every day. Shared data creates stronger alignment across product development, marketing campaigns and recruitment programs. When everyone works from the same research foundation, participation efforts become more coordinated and more effective.
ATA Show Week already delivers energy, innovation, and connection. Adding the Summit brings strategy to that energy. Attendees review participation research before it’s broadly released, engage in candid conversations with industry leaders, and help shape future initiatives. Being in the room means you’re part of the discussion instead of reacting to it later. The relationships built during the Summit last longer than just that week. The connections made here can turn into:
- Joint events
- Shared marketing campaigns
- Long-term partnerships
- Increased participation
If you want growth, you need alignment. This is where it starts. The Summit has an even stronger impact when multiple members of your team attend. When marketing, operations and programming leaders hear the same insights at the same time, they can more easily turn information into action.
At its core, the Archery and Bowhunting Summit is an investment in your business and in the long-term health of the sport. If growth and alignment matter to you, make it part of your plan for the 2027 ATA Show Week. Bring your team. Bring your questions. Leave with direction.
For early access details or questions, contact Nicole Nash at nicolenash@archerytrade.org.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP THE INDUSTRY, TO HELP INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES GET THE MOST OUT OF THE INDUSTRY, AND TO HELP YOU.
