ICAST 2004 To Feature The Largest Showcase Of Sportfishing Products In Recent Years
by
Janet Tennyson
June 14, 2004—Building on the success of two consecutive
sell-out shows, ICAST 2004 is shaping up to be the biggest
sportfishing trade event in recent years, with 378 exhibitors
filling 1,100 booths to showcase their full product lines and the latest
in sportfishing equipment and accessories for industry buyers.
Produced
by the American Sportfishing Association, the 47th annual
International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, or
ICAST, takes place July 14-16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This year, the world’s largest sportfishing
expo features nearly 50 more exhibitors and an additional 140 booths over last
year. While the planned 1,010 booths sold out in February, the 250,000-square-foot
show floor was reconfigured to accommodate the show’s increasing popularity.
“We’re
hearing from many companies that sales are much better this year than last,
and we’ve seen more advanced planning and investment in
the show this year,” said Mike Nussman, President and CEO of the American
Sportfishing Association. “When you put that together with the
industry’s
renewed commitment to make ICAST its signature rallying event, all the stars
are aligned to have another great show of unity.”
ICAST 2004 will
especially feature new products, with more than 100 companies entering hundreds
of their latest product innovations in ICAST’s New Product
Showcase, the flagship feature of ICAST. Nearly 150 companies are offering
ICAST-only show specials, providing industry buyers the best discounts and
a head-start on product orders for the next fishing season. In addition,
ASA will hold daily buyer raffles for cash prizes and a grand prize trip
to Crocodile Bay Lodge in Costa Rica.
Pre-registration for ICAST 2004
also has outpaced previous years, with more than 1,000 buyers, more than
1,000 representatives of exhibiting companies, nearly 500 manufacturers
reps, and nearly 200 media representatives currently registered. Pre-registration
is open until June 18. The event is expected to ultimately
draw 6,000 attendees.
Event
highlights for this year’s show include:
New Product Showcase: Hundreds of new products
will make their marketplace debut and compete for Best of Show honors
in 11 product categories this year. Industry buyers and media will serve as judges to rate new products
on their level of innovation, execution, workmanship, and practicality.
New Product Showcase Preview Reception: On
July 13, the New Product Showcase Preview Reception, sponsored
by Fishing Tackle Retailer, will allow buyers and
media a chance to hear directly from manufacturers and product
designers about hundreds of entries competing for Best of
Show honors.
Industry Breakfast: Just before
the show floor opens on July 14, ASA President and CEO Mike
Nussman will provide the traditional “State
of the Industry” message, and internationally acclaimed sales strategist
Ray Leone will deliver a keynote address. Tickets can be purchased
on ASA’s website, http://www.asafishing.org/,
or at registration.
Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception: On
July 14, the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception will be hosted
by ASA Chairman of the Board Jerry Calengor of Normark/Rapala Corporation
and sponsored by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. In
addition to the New Product Showcase Best of Show Awards, the Water Works
Wonders Manufacturer and Retailer of the Year Awards will be announced.
Seminars: Salesmaster
Ray Leone will lead a seminar for reps and dealers and another
especially for exhibitors on expanding sales. Scott
Anderson of Gray Technologies will lead a seminar on the effects of upcoming
passive radio frequency identification tag requirements. Jack Brown
and June Rittscher, specialists from the IRS, will lead a seminar for manufacturers
on paying the Wallop-Breaux federal excise tax.
Press Conferences: Companies with scheduled press conferences
include Albackore Sportfishing Gear, Dysar Products, Lowrance and Eagle
Electronics, Ono’s Trading Company, and Pure Fishing.
More information
on ICAST is available on www.asafishing.org . Through June 18, all
ICAST attendees can pre-register and receive show badges
in advance (those registering after June 18 or at the Las Vegas Convention
Center can pick up show badges at on-site registration). ICAST
is a trade-only event and is not open to the public.
The American
Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s
trade association, uniting more than 600 members
of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife
agencies, federal land and water management agencies,
conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists.
The American Sportfishing Association safeguards and promotes the enduring
social, economic, and conservation values of sportfishing.
