WALKER, Minn., September 16, 2005 - The Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) set a precedent today. POMA became the first communicator's organization to become a member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

POMA, founded in June 2005, is an international organization of professional communicators and corporate partners focused on the traditional outdoor sports of shooting, fishing, hunting and trapping. POMA membership already has topped the 250 mark and the organization is quickly establishing itself as the most valuable association for professionals in traditional sports communications.

"We are genuinely pleased that POMA has recognized the intrinsic value of NSSF membership and has become the first outdoor media organization to join us," said Chris Dolnack, senior vice president for NSSF. "It's an historic commitment to the future of hunting and shooting sports and it establishes a leadership position for POMA in the outdoor communications profession."

From day one, POMA focused on setting the organization apart by gathering media and industry professionals together in an environment that would allow POMA to provide member benefits never before available to traditional outdoor sports communicators.

"Joining NSSF is the first step in a multi-step plan POMA has launched to ensure a close connection to the trade organizations that oversee and ensure the growth of the shooting and fishing industries," explained Betty Lou Fegely, POMA Chairman & President. "A close networking relationship with trade organizations like NSSF, the American Sportfishing Association and the Archery Trade Association, is critical to our media members' ability to fairly and completely report on and share the outdoor experience to their readers, listeners and viewers."

Membership in NSSF provides POMA with association benefits that allow POMA to significantly improve service to it members and meet the goals outlined in the POMA Mission Statement. Many valuable NSSF membership benefits are also available to individual POMA members - benefits no other communicator's organization can offer at this time.

Membership benefits include discounts on NSSF proprietary research on hunting and shooting markets, discounted FEDEX ground and air shipping, discounted Staples office supplies (delivered), access to liability insurance, SHOT Show perks such as the use of NSSF members lounge and NSSF members business center, and restricted use of the NSSF membership directory in electronic format. NSSF also is currently reviewing health insurance proposals and expects to announce a new health care benefit before year's end.

"From the outset, POMA said it would distinguish itself through open support for outdoor traditions, and today it has done exactly that," said Steve Wagner, public relations director for NSSF.

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About POMA: The Professional Outdoor Media Association ? POMA -- is an organization of outdoor writers, photographers, broadcasters, videographers, illustrators, artists, editors, producers, firms and organizations dedicated to hunting, shooting, fishing, trapping and other traditional outdoor pursuits. POMA is focused on communications professionals, firms and organizations who derive their primary income from the outdoor industry. Additionally, POMA and its members are focused on maintaining the integrity and future of the traditional outdoors sports such as hunting, fishing, shooting and other pursuits. www.professionaloutdoormedia.org


POMA Mission... The Professional Outdoor Media Association is a group of individual communicators and Corporate Partners who believe, defend, support and promote the heritage of hunting, fishing, shooting and traditional outdoor sports through writing, photography and other means. By doing so, members hope to educate the general public about these sports and encourage more participation in them. The organization serves the membership by helping members grow professionally, improve their skills, better their working environments and enhance their businesses.


About NSSF:  The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the shooting, hunting and firearms industry. Formed in 1961, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a membership of more than 2,500 manufacturers, distributors, retailers, sportsmen's organizations and publishers. www.nssf.org

NSSF Mission: Our purpose is to provide trusted leadership in addressing industry challenges and to deliver programs and services to meet the identified needs of our members. We will concentrate our efforts on measurably advancing participation in and understanding of hunting and the shooting sports; reaffirming and strengthening our members' commitment to the safe and responsible use of their products, and promoting a political climate supportive of America's traditional firearms rights.