FAIRFAX, Va. - The National Rifle Association will introduce many new features at its new Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA to attract a larger, national audience.

Held February 1-9, 2014, the Great American Outdoor Show won't end when the exhibit hall closes each day. NRA Country concerts, fundraising dinner banquets, seminars and speaking events from some of the country's best-known personalities will fill the evenings to enhance attendees' overall event experience. The NRA has over 142 years of experience producing large shows from its yearly NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, the most recent of which will occur May 3-5, 2013 in Houston with an expected attendance of over 70,000.

"The boycott of this year's show displayed a real solidarity among the outdoor community, but left a lot of people seeking answers after the cancellation," said David Keene, National Rifle Association President. "We heard from many exhibitors and many more of our members who expressed their disappointment and were concerned about the show's future. As an exhibitor at the show for over 30 years ourselves, and with 900,000 of our nearly five million members within 300 miles of Harrisburg, the decision to offer our support was unanimous."

Like the NRA Annual Meetings, firearms at the Great American Outdoor Show will be display only. However, the NRA plans to expand the presence of firearms, including Modern Sporting Rifles, by inviting national firearms and accessory manufacturers to participate in a new shooting section that will join the show's traditional hunting, fishing, archery, camping and boating areas.

"Harrisburg is a great venue to showcase the NRA's education, training and safety programs," said Kyle Weaver, Executive Director of NRA General Operations. "It will also allow other conservation and outdoors organizations the ability to highlight activities through partnerships and alliances with NRA."

Jeff Poole, Director of Membership Programs and Show Manager for the NRA Annual Meetings will take charge of directing the Great American Outdoor Show. Although produced by the NRA, the show will be open to all who enjoy the sporting and outdoor lifestyle.

"We look forward to continuing the tradition of a well-rounded sport show in Harrisburg, PA and are positive our plans will excite both new and returning exhibitors," said Poole.

For information about exhibiting at the Great American Outdoor Show call 1-866-343-1805 or visi www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org.

-NRA-
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Nearly five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.