NRA 133rd Annual Meetings & Exhibits Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 16-20

(FAIRFAX, VA) -- The National Rifle Association, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, will hold its 133rd Annual Meetings & Exhibits April 16-20, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Members of the news media are invited to attend and cover the event. To reserve media credentials, please call NRA Public Affairs at (703) 267-3820. At the event, NRA’s on-site Press Office will be in Room 309 of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Media credentials may be picked up at the on-site Press Office beginning Thursday, April 15. The on-site Press Office phone number will be (412) 325-6010. Television crews and still photographers should bring necessary equipment and lenses (sports lenses) to cover some events from platforms at a distance from the stage.

On Saturday, April 17th, the 133rd NRA Members Banquet will be held, featuring a special keynote speaker to be announced later. The Members Banquet is always the highlight of NRA’s Annual Meeting and Convention. This year promises to be no exception. In fact, tickets for the 2004 NRA Members Banquet are already SOLD OUT. To help accommodate this overwhelming demand, NRA will be selling discounted tickets for an additional banquet room. Remarks by the keynote speaker and entertainment will be simulcast live via video. Key NRA officers will address the attendees at this overflow location to thank them personally for their attendance and support.

The NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits are traditionally recognized as one of the premier exhibitions for the shooting sports. NRA officials expect over 50,000 participants at the event. Hundreds of exhibits for hunters, competitive shooters, instructors, collectors and outdoor enthusiasts will be on display. Other activities include an Opening Celebration, a special session on Women’s Wear and Wilderness Gear, and the 5th Annual Great American Hunter’s Game Calling Challenge.

Entrance is free to NRA members and their families by showing their membership card and receiving an admission sticker. Admission is also free to law enforcement, firefighters, military personnel and nationally recognized youth organizations (e.g., Boy Scouts of America) in uniform. Non-members are encouraged to attend and may enter the event by purchasing a $10 NRA Associate membership.

The NRA Board of Directors will hold its regular business meeting on April 19th and 20th at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh Hotel, 1000 Penn Avenue, to conduct its annual election of officers and any other business brought before the board.

For more information visit www.nraam.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15
Member Registration, Information & Services: 2 pm - 6 pm

FRIDAY, APRIL 16
Member Registration, Information, Services & Sales, and Air Gun Range: 8 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
9:00 am 5th Annual Great American Hunter’s Game Calling Challenge
1:00 pm Opening Celebration
5:00 pm NRA Foundation Reception - BY INVITATION ONLY
6:00 pm Friends of NRA Dinner- TICKET REQUIRED

SATURDAY, APRIL 17
Member Registration, Information, Services & Sales, and Air Gun Range: 8 am - 6 pm
Exhibit Hall: 10 am - 6 pm

7:00 am 2004 Prayer Breakfast - TICKET REQUIRED
9:00 am 5th Annual Great American Hunter’s Game Calling Challenge
10:00 am Annual Meeting of Members
6:00 pm Heritage Society Reception- BY INVITATION ONLY
7:00 pm NRA Members Banquet Reception
8:00 pm 133rd NRA Members Banquet - TICKET REQUIRED

Member Registration, Information, Services & Sales, and Air Gun Range: 8 am - 5 pm
Exhibit Hall: 10 am - 5 pm

9:00 am 5th Annual Great American Hunter’s Game Calling Challenge
9:30 am Special Sessions:

• National Gun Collecting Awards Presentationsand Special Session
• Women’s Wear and Wilderness Gear

11:00 am Special Sessions:

• Should You Hunt Africa?
• Methods of Conceal Carry

9:00 am NRA Board of Directors Meeting

NOTE: A detailed program will be available in Pittsburgh

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