--- title: "President's Message: Like Death and Taxes, Change is Inevitable" description: NASGW President, Kenyon Gleason's monthly column to the members for the month of May 2026. image: https://nasgw.org/hubfs/k_gleason.jpg --- [Go Back Up](https://nasgw.org/news/presidents-message-like-death-and-taxes-change-is-inevitable#top) [Skip to Content](https://nasgw.org/news/presidents-message-like-death-and-taxes-change-is-inevitable#body) [![nasgw-logo](https://nasgw.org/hubfs/nasgw-logo.svg "nasgw-logo")](https://nasgw.org/) Toggle Menu - Solutions Toggle children for Solutions Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Solutions - [Distribution Is The Solution](https://nasgw.org/distribution-is-the-solution) - [VAULT](https://itsonvault.com) - [Get SCOPE™](https://nasgwscope.org/) - [NASGW EXPO](https://nasgwexpo.org/) - [Fortify Insurance](https://www.choosefortify.com/) - [Bill Tracker](http://members.nasgw.org/bill-tracker) - Membership Toggle children for Membership Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Membership - [Join NASGW](https://nasgw.org/join-nasgw) - [New Member Info](https://nasgw.org/new-member-info) - [NASGW Directory](https://members.nasgw.org/membership/directory) - News / Media Toggle children for News / Media Main Menu (Press to Return) \> News / Media - [News](https://nasgw.org/news) - [Insight](https://nasgw.org/insight-newsletter) - [Webinars](https://nasgw.org/nasgw-webinars) - About Toggle children for About Main Menu (Press to Return) \> About - [Our Association](https://nasgw.org/about-nasgw) - [Board of Directors](https://nasgw.org/board-of-directors) - [FAQ's](https://nasgw.org/nasgw-faqs) - Industry Toggle children for Industry Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Industry - [Our Involvement](https://nasgw.org/industry) - [Partner Organizations](https://nasgw.org/partner-organizations) - [Affiliate Partners](https://nasgw.org/affiliate-partners) - [Join Now](https://nasgw.org/join-nasgw) - [Member Login](https://nasgw.memberclicks.net/login#/login) # President's Message: Like Death and Taxes, Change is Inevitable [Recent News](https://nasgw.org/news/tag/recent-news) 5/20/26, 1:14 PM [Kenyon Gleason](https://nasgw.org/news/author/kenyon-gleason) 3 min read [mailto:?subject=President%27s%20Message%3A%20Like%20Death%20and%20Taxes%2C%20Change%20is%20Inevitable&body=https%3A%2F%2Fnasgw.org%2Fnews%2Fpresidents-message-like-death-and-taxes-change-is-inevitable](mailto:?subject=President%27s%20Message%3A%20Like%20Death%20and%20Taxes%2C%20Change%20is%20Inevitable&body=https%3A%2F%2Fnasgw.org%2Fnews%2Fpresidents-message-like-death-and-taxes-change-is-inevitable) ![k\_gleason](https://nasgw.org/hs-fs/hubfs/k_gleason.jpg?width=246&height=308&name=k_gleason.jpg) Change is a funny thing. Most folks claim they don’t mind it right up until it shows up at the front door and starts rearranging the furniture. As humans, I’d say we genuinely like routine. We like our coffee brewed the same way, our favorite chair camped out in our favorite spot, and the same place to sit in church every Sunday.       Benjamin Franklin famously wrote in 1789 that *“nothing can be said to be certain, except death* *and taxes.”* He was right then, and he’s still right today. But I believe, if Ben were around in 2026, he might add a third certainty: somebody eventually changing the rules on you. Whether it’s technology, markets, politics, consumer habits or supply chains, change never really asks permission. I’ve personally witnessed dramatic changes in the dozen years I’ve been at NASGW. It’s inevitable. Retailers, distributors and manufacturers across America are constantly adapting to changing consumer tastes, never-ceasing government regulations, breakthrough technologies and economic swings. One year everyone wants walnut stocks and blued steel. The next year they’re asking for optics-ready pistols, suppressors and enough rail space to mount the kitchen sink. And I don’t believe this is a bad thing. Change keeps us alive. If you think about it, every major success story in the shooting sports business came from someone willing to embrace something new. Somebody took a chance on polymer-framed pistols. Somebody decided social media could help build communities instead of simply posting pictures of deer camp and trophy racks. Somebody looked at younger consumers and realized they wanted education, experience and inclusion, not just products. The businesses focused on adaptation are thriving. Those that dig in their heels and say, “We’ve always done it this way,” often find themselves talking about the good old days, while competitors are busy creating new ones. Embracing change doesn’t mean you have to abandon tradition though. Because in our community, likely more so than many others, tradition still matters. A lot. It’s still magical to pass down a favorite shotgun or to teach a kid to shoot safely, like your parents and grandparents taught you. Values don’t disappear simply because the marketplace evolves. In fact, change and tradition can work together just fine. Take today’s retailers. The successful ones are no longer simply stores with shelves and cash registers. Many have become gathering places. They host training classes, sponsor competitions, support conservation efforts and create communities around the lifestyle. Customers today want connection. They want expertise. They want experiences. The retailer who recognizes that shift isn’t losing tradition — they’re building on it. The same goes for distributors. The days of simply moving boxes from Point A to Point B are long gone. Data matters. Speed matters. Flexibility matters. The distributors who embrace technology and smarter logistics aren’t replacing relationships; they’re strengthening them. And manufacturers? Well, they’ve probably felt the pressure of change more than anyone. Consumer expectations move faster than ever. New materials, manufacturing methods and marketing channels appear overnight. But innovation and adaptation has always been part of American industry. The shooting sports industry in the United States has proven time and again that it can adapt while still holding onto its core values. That’s why embracing change isn’t surrendering to uncertainty. It’s recognizing reality. It’s movement, adjustment, evolution. It’s change. If history shows us anything, it’s that change isn’t always something to fear. Sometimes it’s the very thing that opens the door to the next great opportunity – even if it occasionally rearranges the furniture first. Our SCOPE data platform continues to help change our community by providing insights and analytics for making smarter business decisions. See the latest at [www.nasgwscope.org](http://www.nasgwscope.org)and learn how to put our growing data sources to work for your business. And, in the coming days and weeks you’ll be hearing us talk a lot more about our newest change agent: VAULT. The VAULT platform is a monumental shift in the way companies can do business in our arena. Check out [www.itsonvault.com](https://itsonvault.com/) to learn more about how your company can change for the future in how you provide your product images and information to the rest of the shooting sports channel. It’s going to be yet another BIG THING. Until next time, ![KenyonGleason-signature](https://nasgw.org/hs-fs/hubfs/KenyonGleason-signature.jpg?width=250&name=KenyonGleason-signature.jpg) Kenyon Gleason NASGW Presiden ## Kenyon Gleason You May Like These ## Related Articles ![](https://nasgw.org/hs-fs/hubfs/k_gleason.jpg?width=700&name=k_gleason.jpg) ### [President's Message: Don't Let the Lights Go Out](https://nasgw.org/news/presidents-message-dont-let-the-lights-go-out) ![](https://nasgw.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Bill-Sumner-Headshot%20-%20400x400.jpeg?width=700&name=Bill-Sumner-Headshot%20-%20400x400.jpeg) ### [Chairman’s Message: Partners You Can Count On](https://nasgw.org/news/chairmans-message-partners-you-can-count-on) ![](https://nasgw.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Partner%20Logos/asa-logo-1.png?width=700&name=asa-logo-1.png) ### [Fifteen States Still Require Federal Registration as a Prerequisite to Suppressor Ownership](https://nasgw.org/news/federal-registration-suppressor-ownership) [![nasgw-webinar-1](https://nasgw.org/hs-fs/hubfs/nasgw-webinar-1.jpg?width=300&height=131&name=nasgw-webinar-1.jpg "nasgw-webinar-1")](https://nasgw.org) [Join Now](https://nasgw.org/distribution-is-the-solution) ©© 2024 National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers All Rights Reserved.  [Privacy Policy](https://nasgw.org/privacy-policy)  101 S. 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