HARTFORD, CT (May 16, 2023) – Earlier this month, over 300 FFLs, firearms attorneys, federal agency personnel, and industry professionals participated in and attended 2023 Firearms Industry Conference (FIC) events. Co-hosted by Orchid, the 9th annual conference included two days of virtual education followed by three days of learning sessions, agency roundtables, and professional networking in Atlanta.

“It feels like we say it every year, but the 2023 Firearms Industry Conference was truly our best conference yet,” said Orchid CEO Jon Rydberg. “FIC continues to provide unmatched opportunities for critical education, access to regulatory agencies, and professional networking while giving back to industry programs and organizations. We’re thankful for all who attended FIC 2023 and look forward to implementing feedback, lessons learned, and new ideas to build on the success ahead of our 10th anniversary conference in 2024.”

After debuting in 2022, FIC On-Air saw strong attendance behind an agenda of quick-hit topics supported by subject matter experts and the virtual event’s first presenting sponsor, 4473 Cloud. In Atlanta, FIC Pre-Conference Workshops provided an educational foundation on state and federal laws, legal liability, and firearm exports while the Main Event addressed over 25 compliance, technology, law, and finance topics and needs of today’s FFLs in expert-led sessions. Attendees also enjoyed a motivational keynote from Gunsite Academy CEO Ken Campbell, heard the latest updates from NSSF, NASGW and ASA, and engaged with ATF, FBI NICS, BIS and DDTC executives and personnel throughout the event.

For the first time, FIC attendees had an opportunity to bid on dozens of firearms, optics, accessories, and experiences from notable brands like Gunsite, Marlin, QuietKat, and Trijicon in the FIC Silent Auction. Benefitting the recently launched Firearms Research Center (FRC), the auction raised an impressive $12,500 for the Center’s suicide awareness initiatives. In partnership with the Wyoming Department of Health, FRC’s new comprehensive website will include suicide data, resources to enhance suicide awareness and prevention, and links to partner websites like Walk the Talk America.

“After months of planning, we’re proud of how this year’s conference was executed and received by all who attended,” stated Leland Nichols, Orchid’s chief strategy and business development officer. “FIC is an annual investment in education and relationship building that you can’t get at any other event.”

Orchid would like to thank all FIC 2023 sponsors, promotional partners, silent auction donors, agency personnel, industry trade associations, and speakers for their support of this year’s events. Without their contributions, the Firearms Industry Conference would not be possible.

Industry members interested in pre-registering for FIC 2024, to be held virtually April 25-26 and in Atlanta on April 29-May 1, 2024, can sign up to receive alerts at orchidadvisors.com/fic2024. Discounted early bird registration will open in July.

About Orchid LLC
Celebrating 10 years of serving the shooting sports industry, Orchid and partner firm, Orchid Law, offer a one-stop shop for leading FFL software, firearms-friendly payment processing, and legal and regulatory services for the firearm, ammunition and explosive industries. Orchid’s POS, ecommerce, and regulatory applications, including Orchid eBound, Orchid FEL Book, and Orchid eState, accompany its expert services in ERP integration, firearm/explosive regulation, export control laws, and Firearm & Ammunition Excise Tax advisory. Get started at orchidadvisors.com.

Firearms Research Center
Housed in the University of Wyoming College of Law, the Firearms Research Center (FRC) was founded in 2023 by legal scholar George Mocsary and firearms historian Ashley Hlebinksy to establish more voices in the firearms discussion, create a pipeline of future firearm lawyers, and act as a reliable, non-partisan resource for firearms-related information. By bringing together scholars from a wide range of academic disciplines and experts, FRC aims to foster a broad discourse and produce meaningful change in how firearms are discussed and understood. FRC will serve as a resource for academics, practitioners, lawmakers, members of the media, and the public on the uses and roles of firearms in society – both past and present. Learn more and donate at firearmsresearchcenter.org.

Press Contact:
Joe Kriz
Communications Manager, Orchid LLC
jkriz@joinorchid.com