WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, announced the retirement of Chris Dolnack, NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, effective April 2.
Dolnack was hired by NSSF, which produces the SHOT Show, in 1999 as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, and has been with the association for nearly 30 years.
Also, NSSF is promoting Melissa Schilling, CEM, to Vice President, Exhibitions and Events, and John McNamara to Vice President, Member Services, effective Jan. 1.
Schilling joined NSSF in 2003 and has worked in numerous roles in public relations, recruitment and retention, and other areas. She most recently served as Managing Director of Exhibitions and Events, leading the planning and execution of the SHOT Show. In 2018, she was named a Woman to Watch by Trade Show Executive, for the program’s inaugural year.
NSSF hired McNamara in 2017 as Senior Director of Retailer Services and he has helped bolster the association’s member relationships and engagement, partnerships, revenue and departmental goals.
“Melissa and John will bring a fresh energy and perspective to the NSSF executive team,” Dolnack said. “I’m excited to see the new heights that this next generation of executive leadership will bring, and I know that I will be leaving the SHOT Show and Member Services in great hands.”
Related. SHOT Show 2025 Takes Las Vegas
“Both Melissa and John will be outstanding additions to NSSF’s executive team,” NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi stated. “Their commitment to excellence and to NSSF’s mission has and will continue to drive our organization forward. I also extend an enormous amount of thanks to Chris Dolnack for his leadership and service to NSSF and our industry over the years. He has played an immense role in the success of NSSF and its signature event, the SHOT Show, and we wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”
SHOT Show Fast Facts
- The event’s 2026 edition is set for Jan. 20-23 at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. SHOT Week, which includes events such as the NSSF / HAVA Golf classic, Industry Day at the Range, the Suppliers Showcase and SHOT University, is Jan. 18-23.
- According to TSE’s Q1 2025 Dashboard, in 2025, the SHOT Show reported 831,603 net square feet (NSF), 2,857 exhibitors and 54,361 attendees.
- The 2024 edition of SHOT Show ranked No. 9 in the Gold 100 Class of 2024 and reported 821,545 NSF of paid exhibit space, 2,619 exhibiting companies, 55,429 total attendees, 24,838 professional attendees and 30,591 other attendees.
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