New Partnership Will Revitalize One of the West's Most Popular Fishing
and Boating Expos
by
Janet Tennyson
The American Sportfishing Association announces today it has purchased
the San Francisco Sports and Boat Show in partnership with Fred Hall & Associates
of Camarillo, California, operators of the largest and most successful
fishing and boating equipment expos in the West.
The new owners will revitalize and improve upon the San Francisco Sports
and Boat Show's longstanding appeal with fishing gear and boat manufacturers
and dealers; lodges, resorts, and tourism organizations; and anglers
and boaters in the second most popular fishing state in the United States.
"We're looking forward to building on the past successes of the San
Francisco Sports and Boat Show, especially by giving sportfishing companies
the opportunity to offer a stronger showing of fishing gear for northern
California's anglers," said Mike Nussman, President and CEO of the American
Sportfishing Association.
Dick Pool, President of Pro-Troll and Western regional representative
on the American Sportfishing Association's Board of Directors, led the
negotiations for the new ownership contract, which continues the show
at the Cow Palace in San Francisco each January. The 2004 show will run
from January 21-25. Half the show proceeds will go to the American Sportfishing
Association for programs that improve fishing.
"With the show now linked to the sportfishing industry's trade association
and the Fred Hall group, northern California's anglers will be the big
winners," said Pool, whose company is headquartered in Concord. "It's
going to be an outstanding event."
Changes and special features beginning with the 2004 show include:
- The length of the new San Francisco Sport, Boat and Fishing Show
will change from 10 days to five. It will be managed by Fred Hall & Associates,
who currently produce three ASA/Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Travel and
Boat Shows each Spring in southern California, drawing tens of thousands
of Golden State anglers;
- The latest in fishing gear will be given more prominence on the show
floor, and the show will highlight a greater variety of boats, including
river, lake, offshore, and bass boats;
- Each day the show will offer anglers and boaters dozens of seminars
led by pros, featuring new techniques for bass, striper, salmon, trout,
kokanee, sturgeon, and halibut fishing, among others;
- The show floor will feature a huge fishing pond and other family-friendly
amenities; and
- The show will include exhibits featuring touring and travel opportunities
all over the world, especially highlighting destinations for fishing
and other outdoor pursuits.
"We're pleased to be able to expand our partnership with the American
Sportfishing Association to continue the San Francisco Sports and Boat
Show's 60 years of proud tradition and add a strong fishing presence
back to the show," said Bart Hall, President of Fred Hall & Associates.
The American Sportfishing Association is the leading recreational fishing
trade association, uniting more than 500 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
initiates and supports efforts to advance fisheries conservation, fishing
opportunities, and a profitable sportfishing industry.
