Its slowed zero doubt. I have gone to the NE SXS every year for the past 12 years in Pa. Also gone to the Southern for 5 straight years.
The NE SXS event is a shell of what it used to be. Most vendors no longer attend. Where there were 2 tents and the two bay garage stocked with guns and outdoor gear there is now one tent and it isn't full. CSMC always had a booth there as well as Vintage guns. They are now gone. Other vendors would bring their traveling rigs with guns in the back for sale and park on the grounds and they no longer come. It has turned into a shooting event.
The Southern is not that bad, but it has also dropped in attendance since the pre-covid days. I remember when it would take 2 hours to shoot a round and there was a steady stream of vehicle and foot traffic under the big tents. Folks are still there but not like before. Not sure of the reason, but I suspect most folks who attend are a bit longer of tooth as they say and no longer show up with the idea of buying. Many still shoot, but a lot of shooter go to Drakes Landing instead.
PS. Another case in point is the Vintagers Cup shooting events which I don't think are even being held this year after the problems they had in Pa a couple of years ago.
