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The NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits:
Bigger and Better By the Year

Year after year, the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits delivers an exception experience for great patriots across the nation. The event rotates locations each year and has taken place in cities including Charlotte, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Reno and St. Louis. This year's event marks a return to Louisville. 

Not only have the Annual Meetings grown in scope annually, the attendance has grown right along with it. In 2005, nearly 60,000 NRA members, their families and friends converged on the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. A decade later, in 2015, almost 80,000 people packed into Nashville for the yearly celebration of freedom. 

Past Annual Meetings

Relive more than a decade's worth of memorable NRA Annual Meeting experiences. Click on each header in the summaries below for a complete wrap-up from that year's event.

2015 Nashville Annual Meetings

NRA Gathering Strikes Popular Chord In Nashville

The music went beyond the streets in Nashville, Tenn., in April as thousands of National Rifle Association members inside Music City Center were following the drumbeat of a cherished American freedom. The message was simple: Responsible gun owners don't want more government limitations on our right to bear arms.

2014 Indianapolis Annual Meetings

The Race To Freedom

The 2014 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibitis officially opened as NRA President Jim Porter welcomed the crowd, ready for three days of family fun and celebrating, with these words, "Nine acres of guns and gear ... are you ready?"

2013 Houston Annual Meetings

The NRA Celebrates Freedom In A Big Way

Over the past several months, our Second Amendment rights have been threatened like never before. In response, NRA members from across the nation poured into the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, for the 142nd NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits.

2012 St. Louis Annual Meetings

Gateway To Freedom

Famous for its pivotal role in the Westward Expansion of the United States, St. Louis more recently served as the Gateway to Freedom when tens of thousands of liberty-loving Americans gathered within sight of its majestic arch April 12-15, for the 141st NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits.

2011 Pittsburgh Annual Meetings

Freedom Flows Through Pittsburgh

More than 71,000 NRA members flooded downtown Pittsburgh, Pa., for the 140th NRA Annual Meetings, held April 28 to May 1. Sponsored by MidwayUSA, this enormously popular event transcends the boundaries of a regular gun show or meeting of members and nowhere was this more evident.

2010 Charlotte Annual Meetings

Glenn Beck Thrills The Crowd At NRA's Annual Meetings

As Wayne LaPierre said in his introduction, gun owners couldn't have a better friend in the media than Glenn Beck. And you could tell from the roar of the crowd that everyone there at the Time Warner Cable Arena felt exactly the same way. Glenn took the stage to a standing ovation with an opening cry of, "Hello, gun nuts!"

2009 Phoenix Annual Meetings

Record-Breaking Attendance At NRA's 2009 Celebration Of American Values Weekend

NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre has to be one of the select few in history who have hosted a dinner for more than 6,000 of his "closest friends." But that's exactly what happened at the Celebration of American Values Banquet in Phoenix, Arizona—the largest sit-down meal ever held in the state.

2008 Louisville Annual Meetings

Celebration of American Values

With the upcoming elections on everyone's mind, it's a small wonder that the 137th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits drew a record-smashing crowd of 66,229. Held in Louisville, Ky., from May 16-18, this year's theme was "NRA Celebration of American Values."

2007 St. Louis Annual Meetings

Gateway To Freedom

The resounding turnout at this year's Meetings in St. Louis, April 13-15, leaves no room for doubt, as a throng of more than 64,000 from across the country established a new record attendance. Clearly, the American people trust the NRA because it embodies their values and interests.

2006 Milwaukee Annual Meetings

Freedom's 2nd Army Takes Milwaukee

Everyone who attends the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits is touched by the experience and that surely includes all 54,335 NRA members, family and friends who journeyed to Milwaukee, May 19-21, for the 135th reprise of NRA's signature event.

2005 Houston Annual Meetings

NRA Touches Down In Houston

Just as NRA brings out legions of voters who make freedom ring at the polls, unprecedented crowds flock to the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits. On the heels of last year's record turnout, nearly 60,000 NRA members, their families and friends converged on the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, April 15-17.

2004 Pittsburgh Annual Meetings

Freedom's Steel - 2004

"The President and I welcome your support," concluded Cheney, "and I am confident that six and a half months from now, the American people will choose the confident, steady, principled leadership of President Bush." The crowd responded with an ovation.

See You In Louisville!

If you live outside the Louisville area and are planning to attend the show, make sure you book early as rooms fill up fast! We're happy to be able to offer our members special low hotel rates, easy reservation booking and superior customer service. You can also save time when you arrive by pre-registering and having your badges shipped directly to you for free.

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NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

A celebration of freedom featuring acres of exhibits, premier events, educational seminars and workshops, and fun-filled activities.