Celebrate 50 Years of Sportfishing at ICAST 2007
by Mary Jane Williamson
May 25, 2007—Alexandria, VA— In 1958, when the New York Yankees were winning the World Series, Elvis was joining the Army and everyone was paying 30 cents for a gallon of gas, the Associated Fishing Tackle Manufacturers were making plans to produce the association’s first Fishing Tackle Trade Show at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago, Ill.
Fifty years later, ICAST 2007, the International Convention of Associated Sportfishing Trades, is shaping up to be the biggest and best show ever. Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the 2007 show floor is sold out for the sixth year in a row with over 400 exhibitors filling over 1,330 booths across 350,000 square feet of floor space. ICAST represents the cornerstone of the sportfishing industry, driving sportfishing companies’ product sales year round. ICAST is the world’s largest industry event of its kind annually hosting over 7,000 attendees.
Nowhere but at ICAST can you see the sportfishing manufacturers’ entire product lines; save money and time by taking advantage of ICAST-only specials offered by over half of ICAST exhibitors; network with a veritable “who’s who” in the sportfishing industry; and help shape the 2008 consumer market by voting for the prestigious New Product Showcase “Best of Show” awards in 17 product categories, as well as the coveted overall “Best of Show” award.
“During this milestone year, we are making every effort to ensure that we appropriately recognize the dedication, energy and passion that exist in this industry,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “Many people have devoted their entire careers, even their entire lives, to the business of sportfishing and there is no better place to honor this than at ICAST50.”
The New Product Showcase, the flagship feature of ICAST, is sure to be bigger and better than ever for our 50th year celebration. In 2006, nearly 200 companies exhibited over 500 innovations in sportfishing gear and accessories in the New Product Showcase, and this year’s Showcase is on track to top those numbers.
As a contrast to the new innovations of the New Product Showcase, companies that exhibited at the show 50 years ago and are exhibiting this year are bringing some of their vintage sportfishing products from the 1950s to the show. These items will be displayed in the Classic Product Showcase. As a compliment to the classic products and the celebratory nature of this year’s show, ASA, in partnership with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Anglers’ Legacy program, is producing a scrapbook-style keepsake calendar featuring fishing in the 1950s. The calendar will be available during ICAST50.
As in previous years, a New Product Showcase Preview Reception will be held the evening before the show begins (5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on July 10), so that exhibitors have more time to explain the intricacies of their innovations to buyers and media. New Product Showcase winners will be announced during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception & Golden Anniversary Gala the following evening, Wednesday, July 11.
Back for its second year is Reelin’ and Dealin’ —A Guide to ICAST-only Specials. The guide helps buyers maximize their time and savings on the show floor and capitalize on major product discounts offered by scores of manufacturers. In celebration of 50 years of ICAST, many exhibitors have tailored their show specials around the “50” theme.
For complete ICAST information, visit www.asafishing.org and click on ICAST50.
ICAST50 Show Hours |
Wednesday, July 11
Thursday, July 12
Friday, July 13 |
|
9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
Registration and Housing for ICAST50
Buyers, media, exhibitors and other ICAST attendees can register online at ASA’s Web site. It’s easy to register online with the step-by-step instructions. ICAST housing registration is also open. June 15 is the pre-registration deadline to receive your badge before ICAST. Avoid the long lines on site and save money by registering now. Housing information is also available on ASA’s Web site.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
All events are held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
New Product Showcase Preview Reception and Showcase
Tuesday, July 10, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Located on Aisle 2500
Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer
Buyers and media are invited to the New Product Showcase Preview Reception to learn about all the latest innovations in fishing gear and accessories. The reception offers an exclusive sneak preview of the New Product Showcase prior to the official show opening. This reception is open to New Product Showcase exhibitors, buyers and credentialed Media-Editorial attendees only. Just for voting for the best of the new products in the New Product Showcase, buyers and media are eligible for cash drawings. Voting closes at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11.
Industry Breakfast & Retrospective Rendezvous
Wednesday, July 11, 7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Located in the Ballroom
Tickets Required
Held just before the ICAST50 show floor grand opening, this year’s Industry Breakfast & Retrospective Rendezvous, hosted by Randy Lemcke, vice president, Plano Molding Company and ASA’s Board chairman, and ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman, will feature elements to celebrate our industry’s achievements over the last 50 years, including honoring some of the industry’s most longstanding companies and individuals.
Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception & Golden Anniversary Gala
Wednesday, July 11, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Located in the Ballroom
Sponsored by Plano Molding Company
A “Festive `50s” celebration is the backdrop for this year’s award ceremonies for the New Product Showcase “Best of Show” winners. During the reception, Randy Lemcke and Mike Nussman will welcome ICAST attendees and announce the New Product Showcase “Best of Show” award winners.
ICAST50 Classic Product Showcase
Located at the top of the 2200 aisle
What better way to celebrate 50 years of innovation in sportfishing gear and accessories than with a look back at some of the best products of the last 50 years. The Classic Product Showcase features a selection of products from companies that have been with the show since 1958 and are also exhibiting in 2007. Also, a commemorative calendar will be available detailing the products and companies featured in the Classic Product Showcase as well as other images from the 1950s.
Reelin’ and Dealin’: A Guide to ICAST-only Specials
ICAST show specials offer buyers strong incentives to save money by striking deals at the show. In the past, exhibitors have offered special discounts on specific product lines, two-for-one deals, special payment terms, graduated discounts, market value discounts and more. Nearly half of ICAST exhibitors have offered show specials in the last few years. In celebration of 50 years of ICAST, many exhibitors have tailored their show specials around the “50” theme.
Cyber Lounge
Located at Lounge #2414
Sponsored by VERSUS
The Cyber Lounge serves as ICAST’s business center. This hot spot is prominently featured on the show floor and is the place where exhibitors and buyers communicate with their home offices directly from the show.
Apparel Lounge
Located at Lounge #1730
The Apparel Lounge showcases sponsoring exhibitors’ latest apparel and merchandise in a prominent lounge space on the ICAST show floor.
Foundations’ Showcase
Located at Lounge #1714
The FishAmerica and Future Fisherman Foundations’ Showcase will display an array of products from companies who contribute a percentage of their sales to the foundations through cause-related marketing partnerships.
Exhibitors’ Social Hour—New in 2007!
This year, various exhibitors are adding their celebratory touch to the ICAST50 festivities by serving beer and wine in their booths from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, and Thursday, July 12, and from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 13.
Special Thanks to ICAST50 Sponsors
The American Sportfishing Association thanks these members for their generous sponsorship of ICAST50: Fishing Tackle Retailer, Crocodile Bay Lodge, Plano Molding Company, VERSUS, In-Fisherman, Keep’n It Reel, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Saltwater Sportsman, Alphatan International, Inc., Two Jacks Fishing Company, Pelagic, LLC, OceanGirl Custom Fishing Products, Infinite Innovation/Nite III's, Duncan McIntosh Company/FishRap, Albackore Sportfishing Gear, Slam Gear, Fishing Made Easy, BountyFishing, and The Habana Company.
For complete ICAST information, visit www.asafishing.org and click on ICAST50. ICAST is a trade-only event and is not open to the public.
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community.We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America.
