There are two great things about March – spring is around the corner and the show season is (almost) over.

By now, we have a good indication of retailer and manufacturer sentiment going into 2026. As the first event of the season, ATA Show Week set the tone for what looks to be a promising year for the archery industry.

Exhibitors appreciated the efficiency of hosting the ARRO and NABA shows on the same day, followed by the two-day ATA Trade Show. Over those three days, manufacturers were able to get a good sense for how retailers were feeling about 2026, revealing general optimism and the confidence to place a high volume of orders, especially larger orders. This is significant after most were affected by the supply chain challenges of the COVID era that resulted in bloated inventories. This is a good indication of a return to normal ordering activity.

Concern remains high about the growing cost of flagship bows and high-end accessories. However, orders remain strong in these categories due in part to the resilience of the consumer to continue purchasing items they’re passionate about. 

The Archery & Bowhunting Supershow put over 7,500 of the most serious target and bowhunting enthusiasts face-to-face with the same manufacturers who had just wrapped up the ATA Trade Show. It gave exhibitors the opportunity to measure and compare feedback from consumers with that of the retailers they heard from just days earlier.

The energy and enthusiasm on the Show floor was very motivating. Attendees were impressed by the size and appearance of the Show and the opportunity to see full product lines and talk directly with the people who designed and built them. However, the opportunity to demo the products on the shooting lanes was the biggest hit, resulting in crowded lanes of potential new customers wanting to shoot bows and try new accessories.

Retailers within a few hundred miles of Indy should see a nice lift in product sales over the next 6 months as a result, but the enthusiasm experienced at the Supershow is not a guarantee of store foot traffic. As always, there are many factors throughout the year that can influence timing and spend of customers. The uncertainties that currently exist around the economy, tariffs, defense and the constant squabbling in Washington can be impactful. But that’s also where the resilience of the archery consumer stands out.

Many manufacturers continue to wrestle with the elusive and confusing tariff issues. Some have been quite strategic in how they have been able to avoid or minimize their tariff exposure, but most of those impacted by tariffs have been forced to increase their prices to offset some of the added cost.

To the road warriors of this year’s show season, I salute you. I’m already looking forward to next year and building on the blueprint used during the first ATA Show Week. Our focus will continue to be increasing manufacturer and retailer participation, continuing to build out the New Product Showcase (over 170 new products this year) and expanding shooting tournaments. 

Stay tuned for more metrics from ATA Show Week and survey data we’ll be sharing with ATA members.

— Jeff