I would like to pose the question: what does a small region in Italy called Brescia have to do with hunting and shooting in Western Canada?

Quite simply -- a lot.

This week I had an amazing opportunity to visit the city of Brescia, Italy, as a guest of Fiera di Brescia, a company that organizes trade shows in the city, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto. It was time for the annual EXA show, a hunting, shooting and outdoors trade show that brings in tens of thousands of Italian sportsmen and women from around that country. In fact, it is the third largest trade show of its kind in the world -- not surprising when you consider that about 800,000 hunting licences are sold in Italy each year (a country that's only 1,200-km end-to-end).

But back to the region of Brescia -- and its far-reaching influence on the world of shooting.

Hundreds of years ago, ore was found in the mountains of the region -- particularly in the town of Gardone Val Trompia. And since the economy of Italy is, and has been for centuries, one of specialization, a booming firearms industry was born, including the world's third-oldest company -- Beretta -- owned by the same family since about 1490. Over the centuries, more than 200 other firearms manufacturers popped up in the region as well.

Today, this small area produces most of the shotguns we use worldwide. Beretta, Benelli, Franchi, Perazzi, Sabatti and so many more. Beretta has expanded beyond the region too -- acquiring companies such as Burris, Sako, Tikka and more (including locals Benelli and Franchi). The Beretta group now claims a 55 per cent market share of the firearms segment in the US! Not bad for a one-time mom and pop gun-maker.

Basically, this small part of Italy is a major player on the world's sporting scene. And they are proud of it! We could learn a few things about how to put on a trade show by looking to the Italians. Imagine if at our shows in Edmonton, Calgary or Saskatoon, major companies like Browning, Benelli, Beretta and so on not only showed up -- but constructed huge, elaborate booths and displayed their product lines so every attendee could walk through, pick up and examine the firearms. Well, that's par for the course at EXA.

It is truly amazing how this region of Italy has influenced the world of shooting for so many hundreds of years. It's also truly inspiring to see how proud the Italians are of this fact. Firearms from centuries past are preserved for the future, such as the massive collection in the Beretta family's private museum, which contains firearms from the 1400s to today. Absolutely priceless.

So next time you set out to hunt ducks or upland birds with a Benelli, Beretta, Franchi (or if you're rich, a Perazzi), or even when you set out for big game with a Sako or Tikka, take a moment to pay respect to the Italians, and the industry they helped forge. Who knows where the shooting sports would be today if it weren't for the work and innovation of these industrious people.

Here's to another 500 years!

The EXA Show, Fiera di Brescia, Italy. Notice that Winchester/Browning even showed up to this one! They face stiff competition in Italy.

The outstanding craftsmanship of a Perazzi Extra Gold shotgun. Only about 4 to 6 of this model is made per year.

The private collection of the Beretta factory. Firearms from the 13th century can be found here, as well as other interesting models -- such as a gold plated gun once used to guard the King of Saudi Arabia, among others!