May 2009 American Sportfishing Association Member Update
Member Updates are e-mailed monthly to members of the American Sportfishing Association and our partners on issues of interest to the future of fishing. For more information, contact ASA Communications, 703.519.9691.
BELOW IS A LIST OF TOPICS IN THIS UPDATE. Please scroll down for the complete document. Previous ASA Member Updates are available in the ASA Newsroom.
Each month ASA e-mails an update about our Government Affairs activities called Policy Watch. These documents can be found in the Government Affairs section of ASA’s Web site.
Condolences to the Powell Family
ASA Board of Directors Election Voting Concluded
Board of Directors to Meet at ICAST 2009
ICAST 2009 Pre-Registration Deadline is June 12
Thank You ICAST 2009 Sponsors
Limited ICAST Exhibit Space Still Available
ICAST 2009 Industry Breakfast
Reelin’ & Dealin’: A Guide to ICAST-only Specials
ICAST Press Conferences
Saving you Money at ICAST 2009
ICAST Sponsorships Available
ICAST and MAATS
CA Fish and Game Commission to Make Decision on North Central Coast
RBFF Uses Online Promotion to Get Kids & Families Outside
2009 Sportfishing Summit – Mark Your Calendars
Welcome New Members
Show your support with the ASA Member Logo
EFFTEX 2009
FishAmerica Foundation Updates
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
Condolences to the Powell Family
On behalf of the Board of Directors, ASA members and the staff we extend our sincere condolences to the Powell family on the passing of Joan Powell, Jeff Powell’s wife. She passed away on Monday, May 18, in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where the Powell’s lived and raised their family. For over 50 years, the Powell family, representing Mason Tackle Company and Ed Cummings, Inc., has been an active member of the association helping to guide the organization and the industry as both committee members and chairmen and as members and chairman of the board of directors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Family Catholic Church, 11824 S. Saginaw St., in Grand Blanc, Mich., or to breast cancer research. Joan Powell personally attended many ASA meetings and trade shows and she will be greatly missed.
ASA Board of Directors Election Voting Concluded
Voting for ASA’s Board of Directors election concluded on Monday, June 1, 2009. Ballots will be counted on Tuesday, June 9, by ASA staff and Board Secretary Gregg Wollner along with representatives from ASA’s accounting firm. Members have elected six representatives to fill three regional and three at-large seats with terms beginning October 1, 2009. Regional seats cover the South Central, Southeast and West regions. For more information about the ballots or the voting process, contact Board Liaison Joyce Anderson-Logan , x233.
Board of Directors to Meet at ICAST 2009
ASA’s Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, July 14, 2009, from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., at the Orange County Convention Center, prior to the opening day of ICAST. For more information, contact Joyce Anderson-Logan , x233.
ICAST 2009 Pre-Registration Deadline is June 12
The deadline for pre-registration for exhibitors and attendees for ICAST 2009 is June 12. June 12 is the final day to take advantage discounted exhibitor and attendee pre-registration rates. After June 12, ICAST attendees may still register online for badges, but badges will need to be picked up onsite at the ICAST registration area inside the Orange County Convention Center. After June 12, onsite registration fees will also apply. It’s easy to register for ICAST using online registration. In addition, you can also make hotel reservations using the same site as registration. ASA has arranged special ICAST rates with over a dozen hotels in close proximity to the Orange County Convention Center. Discounted room rates are not guaranteed after June 12. For more information contact Kenneth Andres , x231, or visit ICAST’s new home on the Web, www.ICASTfishing.org .
Thank You ICAST 2009 Sponsors
ASA would like to thank its members who have signed on as ICAST sponsors: Gold - ESPN Outdoor/BASS , Crocodile Bay , VERSUS and ZEBCO Brands ; Silver – Fetha Styx , Gemini Sport Marketing , In-Fisherman , Northwest Sportsman Magazine and Outdoor Identities ; and Bronze - Classic Fishing Products, Inc. , Gill North America and FishGillz . Thank you for your support!
Limited ICAST Exhibit Space Still Available
A limited amount of exhibit space is still available for ICAST 2009 . With more than 97 percent of the show floor sold out, don’t delay in reserving your exhibit space for the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. ICAST 2009 will be located in the Southeastern sportfishing market, where exhibitors can gain product exposure to buyers from all levels of our industry as well as hundreds of media and manufacturers’ representatives. By becoming an ICAST exhibitor your company will gain access to the top people in the sportfishing industry. For more information or to reserve exhibit space at ICAST 2009, contact Kenneth Andres , x231.
ICAST 2009 Industry Breakfast
Tickets are going fast for the annual ICAST Industry Breakfast, one of the most-attended ICAST events, held Wednesday, July 15, 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m., just prior to the show opening. Join ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman, ASA Board of Directors Chairman and ZEBCO Brands President Jeff Pontius and Frank Peterson, president and CEO, Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation as they outline the state of the industry. You can order tickets at the same time you register for ICAST. Didn’t purchase tickets yet? Using your ICAST registration number and password, you may purchase Industry Breakfast tickets online . Tickets are required for the Industry Breakfast.
Reelin’ & Dealin’: A Guide to ICAST-only Specials
Special product discounts—exclusive to ICAST 2009—are a popular draw for retail and wholesale buyers. The Reelin’ & Dealin’: A Guide to ICAST-only Specials gives buyers a better opportunity to save money on product orders placed during the show. The guide will be sent to registered buyers in mid-June. It will also be available during the show. Exhibitors who submitted their show specials form by April 1 are listed in the current May/June issue of Fishing Tackle Retailer. Those who submitted their form by April 24 are listed in printed version of the Reelin’ & Dealin’ guide. To see a list of companies offering show specials, please visit the Show Specials page on the ICAST Web site. It’s still not too late to offer a show special. Contact Ken Andres , x231, for more information.
ICAST Press Conferences
ICAST exhibitors have access to a fully equipped press conference room with seating to accommodate up to 100 people at no charge when held during show hours. Exhibitors can reserve the room for a maximum of 60 minutes. The deadline for reserving the press conference room is June 12, 2009. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see the Exhibitor Promo Pak , p. 15, for all the details, or contact Melissa Woolley , x241.
Saving you Money at ICAST 2009
ASA has arranged special discounts for those attending ICAST 2009, including a special five percent discount off the lowest available fare from any city serviced by JetBlue Airlines with connections to Orlando, Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. To book your airfare, go to www.jetblue.com/promo and use promotion code ICAST2009. Complimentary shuttle bus service will be provided between the Orange County Convention Center and the official ICAST hotels . Service begins on Wednesday, July 15, at 7:00 a.m. and ends Friday, July 17, at 4:00 p.m. Details will be posted at the Convention Center, hotel lobbies and in the ICAST 2009 Buyers’ Guide. When you register for ICAST you can also book housing. The official ICAST hotels offer a wide range of prices starting at $82.00 per night.
ICAST Sponsorships Available
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for ICAST 2009. An ICAST sponsorship provides you with an effective way to highlight your company’s name in front of the global sportfishing community. By becoming an ICAST sponsor, your company will benefit from stand-alone recognition for your company and/or products and also help increase sales by leveraging your exhibit space. Sign up for a sponsorship today and have your companies name in front of 7,000 industry leaders. For more information on sponsorships, please contact Kenneth Andres , x231.
ICAST and MAATS
ICAST will once again co-locate with the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS), produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Your ICAST badge allows you access to both the ICAST and MAATS trade show floors.
CA Fish and Game Commission to Make Decision on North Central Coast
During its May 13-14 meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission began taking public comment on the proposals that will establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in the North Central Coast under the state's Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). The commission plans to vote on which proposal it will adopt during its August 2009 meeting. For more detailed information on the MLPA and to support alternate Proposal 2XA, visit www.KeepAmericaFishing.org/california .
RBFF Uses Online Promotion to Get Kids & Families Outside
This summer, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is making sure kids and families across the country know that boating and fishing are fun and exciting outdoor activities that are affordable, local and tied directly to the conservation of our nation’s waterways and fisheries. RBFF is promoting National Fishing & Boating Week (June 6 – 14) with a media relations campaign targeting national and regional outlets across the country. In addition, RBFF is launching “ Catch A Boat ” – The Ultimate Online Fishing Tournament – June 4 on TakeMeFishing.org. This unique competition lets participants virtually “fish” for a chance to win a new Triumph boat with an Evinrude motor and EZ Loader trailer. Participants may be eligible to win daily prizes from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Humminbird, Plano Molding Company, Rapala, Simms, West Marine and ZEBCO Brands. Official Rules and eligibility information are available on TakeMeFishing.org .
2009 Sportfishing Summit – Mark Your Calendars
ASA invites its members and partners to the 2009 Sportfishing Summit scheduled for October 27–29, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif. To gain information on the most relevant issues facing the sportfishing industry, mark your calendar today for the Sportfishing Summit, ASA’s annual membership meeting and premier networking event. If you are interested in being a sponsor for this year’s Summit, please contact Jill Calabria , 234.
Welcome New Members!
ASA welcomes these new members or members who reinstated their membership in May:
Agence Pierre Gadbois Agency, Inc, Laval, QC CANADA; Amazing Products, LLC, Orlando, FL; American Legacy Fishing Co., LLC, Evansville, IN; Anchor Sales & Marketing, Bayou Vista, TX; Aquateko, LLC, St. Augustine, FL; Basstar, Carson, CA; Blackwater River, LLC, Lisle, IL; Castalia Outdoors, Foreverlast Hunting & Fishing Products, Hallettsville, TX; Frostproof, FL; Coastal Angler Magazine, North Fort Myers, FL; Falcon Rods, Broken Arrow, OK; FuelMedics.com, Hallandale Beach, FL; Geneva Tackle, Magnolia, TX; H & H Outdoor Marketing, La Mirada, CA; Jamfab Jigs and Custom Lures LLC, Chipley, FL; Joe's Flies, Nutter Fort, WV; Macs Worldwide LLC, Hillsboro, OR; Maynard Outdoors, LLC, Hillsboro, NC; Ocean Rider Sandals & Belts, Miami, FL; Orona Corporation, Sarasota, FL; Ortery Technologies, Inc., Irvine, CA; Phish Tailes Distributing, Hartwell, GA; Professional Anglers Association, Benton, KY; Red Pig Fishing, Jupiter, FL; Revere Maxx-Fishing, Macungie, PA; RM Industries, Inc., Kansas City, KS; Secret Weapon Lures, Inc., Brentwood, TN; Skippy Fish Bait Co., Perkiomenville, PA; Solution Products Inc., Rolling Meadows, IL; Touchdown Lures of America, Seymour, IN; Tuscaroran Pro-lures, Margate, FL;USA Custom Rods, Houston, TX and West Marine Inc., Watsonville, CA.
Show your support with the ASA Member Logo
ASA members are invited to place the ASA member logo with hyperlink on their Web site. While we hope that you proudly display the ASA logo, we understand this may be difficult for some companies to do so. ASA’s goal is to help its members illustrate to their customers that they support efforts to ensure that the industry will remain strong and prosperous and also safeguard and promote the economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. To receive your member logo, please contact Jill Calabria or x234.
EFFTEX 2009
The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) is hosting its 2009 trade show, the European Fishing Tackle Trade Exhibition (EFTTEX), June 12–14, in Budapest, Hungary. For more information about EFTTEX 2009 or EFTTA, visit www.eftta.com .
FishAmerica Foundation Update
To help FishAmerica keep our nation’s fish and waters healthy, visit FishAmerica online at www.fishamerica.org or contact Executive Director Johanna Laderman, x245 or Grants Manager Erica George, x247.
FishAmerica Announces up to $735,000 Available for Fisheries Habitat Restoration
The FishAmerica Foundation, in partnership with the NOAA Restoration Center, has announced the availability of up to $735,000 for projects to restore marine, estuarine and riparian habitats important to marine and anadromous fish species. The funding will support local efforts to accomplish meaningful on-the-ground restoration of marine, estuarine and riparian habitats, including salt marshes, mangrove forests, and freshwater habitats important to anadromous fish species. Emphasis is on using a hands-on, grassroots approach to restore fisheries habitat across coastal America, the Great Lakes region, and U.S. territories in the Caribbean. Applications and required documentation must be received in FishAmerica’s office no later than June 22, 2009 by 5:00 p.m. EST.Visit FishAmerica's web site for the complete announcement, funding guidelines and application, and helpful contact information.
Looking for a Great Father’s Day Gift for Your Favorite Angler?
Make a donation to the FishAmerica Foundation in honor of your favorite angler or get him an Operation FISH ball cap in support of the FishAmerica Gulf Fund. Every dollar donated to FishAmerica helps keep our fish and waters healthy, ensuring the future of fishing for generations to come. Visit www.fishamerica.org/store for more details. You can also purchase a subscription to In-Fisherman , Fly Fisherman , or Walleye In-Sider through our Web site or the Gigantic Book of Fishing Stories or Take Me Fishing through Barnes and Noble . A portion of the proceeds from each purchase will be donated to FishAmerica.
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
With ICAST just a few short weeks away, I want to share with you some perspective on how the show and the sportfishing industry is shaping up. Given the current state of the U.S. and global economies I fully understand that you may have questions about ICAST and what to expect when the industry converges next month on the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
It’s safe to say that every business and industry has been affected by the economic recession. While we never know what our final participation is until the show is over, based on the economy, it’s logical to assume that this year’s show will be somewhat smaller than it has been in the last few years.
At the same time, ICAST is the world’s largest and most important sportfishing industry event. For over 50 years, ICAST has been the sportfishing industry’s business hub, serving as the catalyst to meet the needs of anglers worldwide. This means delivering a show built on quality of attendance as much as quantity.
We are very excited about the way the show is coming together. The Orlando location is a strong enticement to dealers in the southeast and from Europe and South America. In fact, over 30 percent of ICAST registered buyers are from Florida.
Our ICAST team is pushing hard in every aspect of the show planning to make sure every ICAST attendee has the best experience possible in 2009. We’re leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to attract buyers to the show. In order save everyone money, we’ve arranged for an airfare discount with JetBlue and arranged complimentary shuttle service between the ICAST hotels and the convention center.
Despite the sluggish economy and cutback in consumer spending, there are strong indications that recreational fishing remains one of the largest outdoor recreational activities in the nation. Several of our members are reporting increases in tackle sales during the first quarter of 2009. Going hand in hand with strong tackle sales are increases in fishing license sales. A sample survey of state fish and wildlife agencies indicates that 2009 fishing license sales are up 11 percent compared with 2008. Although anglers, just like the general public, seem to be deferring higher end purchases; its clear people are going fishing and purchasing tackle.
Now is the time for the sportfishing industry to come together. ICAST is, and always has been, a powerful driver of commerce and progress. Thank you very much for playing your part in making that possible yet again this year. Here’s to a great show!
