Schedule of Events
This draft 2009 schedule is by no means exhaustive. As we fill in events for new media producers and readers, we will update this list and send an update to the mailing list.
View the 2008 schedule of events.
You must be a registered attendee with the Bash in order to take part in all special activities.
Blue = Publisher Events
Red = Publisher/Reader Events
Thursday, May 14
2pm-6pm Member Registration Opens
Non-media NRA meeting attendees can register before the lines grow on Friday and Saturday!
6pm Friends of NRA Banquet - Ticket Required
All proceeds from the auctions are to directly benefit the NRA Foundation in supporting their mission “to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological, and artistic context.” Items available to bid on at the National NRA Foundation Banquet will include: custom rifles, exotic hunts, unique jewelry, trips, artwork, and other firearms.
6pm NRA-ILA Public Affairs Blogger Mix & Mingle
Location: Friday’s Front Row, Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street
Join other publishers and the Public Affairs team from the NRA Institute for Legislative Action for a casual evening to get to know one another before spending a weekend sharing the media room.
Friday, May 15
8am-6pm Member Registration Open
8am Grassroots Breakfast
9am Grassroots Workshop
Location: Valley of the Sun C, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel
With the election past us, NRA members must redouble efforts to elect pro-Second Amendment lawmakers to office at all levels of government. They will discuss how gun owners can take on a more active role in their community with grassroots campaigns and legislative efforts. NRA will provide the materials and strategies needed to educate and empower fellow gun owners. The workshop will feature several guest speakers, including NRA officers and NRA-ILA staff.
If you would like to attend, you must preregister for the NRA Grassroots Workshop by calling 1-800-392-VOTE or visiting the NRA Annual Meeting website.
9am-6pm Air Gun Range Opens
9am Firearms Law Seminar
This day-long seminar is a quality course of jurisprudence and legal instruction for practicing attorneys who represent firearms owners, wholesalers, manufacturers and importers, and for attorneys who wish to expand their practice to the representation of such clients.
More information is available here.
9:30am Sportsmen’s Auction - Ticket Required
A social hour will allow attendees time to play a few raffle games and look over the silent auction items to bid on. The morning will continue with a highly anticipated live auction. The participating sportsmen will have an opportunity to bid on high quality donations featuring custom firearms, one of a kind pieces, and hunts from all over the world, among other exciting auction items. All monies raised support The NRA Foundation.
10am-6pm Exhibit Hall Opens
Visit manufacturers, outfitters, collectors, and gear makers for one of the largest displays of guns you’ll ever see!
12pm NRA Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum - Ticket Required
Location: US Airways Center
Kick off the weekend’s events with fellowship and fun. NRA Officers and honored guests welcome you to the 138th Annual Meetings & Exhibits.
1pm Special Sessions
Topics: Refuse to be a Victim; Advanced Sausage Processing, BBQ and Smoke Cooking Techniques
2pm Special Sessions
Topics: Methods of Concealed Carry; Hunting Africa
5pm Industry Insight: Tips from Radio for Podcasters
From production to content, NRA News host Cam Edwards can answer your questions about how to deliver quality pro-gun news.
7pm Happy Hour with TV & Internet Host Michael Bane
Location: Majerle’s Sports Grill, 24 North Second Street
Michael Bane, Down Range Television, Tactical Solutions, and Insight Tech-Gear meet with bloggers for happy hour!
7pm Concert Under the Stars
Location: Arizona Center, 400 E. Van Buren Street
NRA is hosting a concert under the stars for local residents and NRA Meeting Attendees. Featuring: T. Bubba Bechtol, Drew Davis Band, and Kate and Kacey Coppola.
8pm Gun Blogger & Reader Dinner
Location: Majerle’s Sports Grill, 24 North Second Street
Stick around after drinks for dinner on Friday evening.
Saturday, May 16
8am-6pm Registration Open
9am-6pm Air Gun Range Open
9am-6pm Exhibit Hall Open
9am Hunting Policy - The Nationwide Political Battles
In the state houses and on Capitol Hill, hunting regulations impact not just those who take to the woods and fields, but they can reach out and impact other shooters and gun owners by changing the nature of the markets. Don’t miss this conversation with Darren LaSorte, NRA-ILA’s Hunting Policy Manager, for an overview of the fights NRA is battling on your behalf.
10am NRA Annual Meeting of Members
This massive gathering gives NRA members the chance to hear the reports of the officers and vote on organization business.
1pm Special Sessions
Topics: Refuse to be a Victim; Advanced Sausage Processing, BBQ and Smoke Cooking Techniques
2pm Special Sessions
Topics: Methods of Concealed Carry; In Their Own Words; Guns of the Battle of the Bulge; Elk Hunting/Calling
4pm Media, Politics, & Sports – What Don’t State Associations Do?
Meet NRA state association leaders New York, California, Arizona, and New Jersey to find out what they are doing at home, how new media plays a role in their efforts, and how you can get the inside scoop on moving the Second Amendment forward in your home state.
6:30pm Reception
8pm NRA Celebration of American Values Banquet - Ticket Required
Join other gun bloggers for dinner with John Stossel and Oliver North. In 2008, Glenn Beck wowed the largest dinner crowd in the Meeting’s history. In 2007, Ambassador John Bolton addressed the St. Louis meeting, preceded by General Tommy Franks in Milwaukee, Majority Leader Tom Delay in Houston, and Vice President Dick Cheney in Pittsburgh. The Banquet is always the outstanding social event of the NRA’s Annual Meetings and typically sells out.
Sunday, May 18
7am Prayer Breakfast - Ticket Required
Warm up your spirit at the 2009 Prayer Breakfast with speaker Tim Clinton, President of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
8am-5pm Registration Open
9am-5pm Air Gun Range Open
9am Special Sessions
Topic: Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor Development Workshop
9:30am Crimson Trace
Learn more about the products Crimson Trace offers to shooters, and join us for the drawing for a shot at a free Crimson Trace product.
10am-5pm Exhibit Hall Open
11am Special Sessions
Topics: Handloading Today; Guns of the Battle of the Bulge
12:30pm Ted, White, And Blue featuring Ted Nugent
1pm Special Sessions
Topic: Advanced Sausage Processing, BBQ and Smoke Cooking Techniques
Monday, May 19
9am NRA Board of Directors Meeting
