For Immediate Release
Mary Jane Williamson, Communications Director, mjwilliamson@asafishing.org 703-519-9691, x227, www.asafishing.org
Sportfishing Industry “Gets in on the Action” with ICAST 2010
World’s largest sportfishing trade show returns to Las Vegas, July 14-16
Alexandria, VA – June 30, 2010 – In two short weeks, the global sportfishing industry will head to Las Vegas for the 53rd International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades. Better known as ICAST, the industry trade show will once again be the center of the sportfishing world from July 14-16, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The ICAST 2010 show floor will once again be full with over 400 exhibitors occupying more than 400,000 square feet of the convention center.
Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the sportfishing industry’s trade association, ICAST annually brings more than 7,000 members of the global sportfishing industry together helping to drive sportfishing companies’ product sales year round. ICAST is also one of the association’s most recognized member services providing a once-a-year business opportunity for the global sportfishing industry. It’s an opportunity for members of the sportfishing industry to meet and develop relationships with manufacturers, media, state and federal agency leaders and ASA staff and members.
“ICAST is the place where the sportfishing industry comes together to do business. It’s a powerful venue for exhibitors and attendees alike,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “We are very excited about the way the show is shaping up. I’m happy to report that booth sales and registration are tracking ahead of last year at this time. With the show floor maxed out, our ICAST team is pushing hard in every aspect of the show planning to ensure that exhibitors and attendees alike have the best experience possible. ICAST 2009, held in Orlando, Fla. for the first time in 10 years, was rated an outstanding success by both exhibitors and attendees. Our goal is to ensure that 2010 is even better.”
Nearly 7,400 people representing 63 countries attended ICAST 2009 which spanned 400,000 square feet of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
“Our exhibitor and attendee registration numbers have proven that ICAST is the place to be for the sportfishing industry,” Nussman said. “There is no place like ICAST to conduct business and we look forward to ICAST 2010 continuing this great tradition.”
ICAST is the only place where buyers and media can: see sportfishing manufacturers’ entire product lines; save money and time by taking advantage of ICAST-only product specials offered by over 100 exhibitors; attend business-related seminars; network with a veritable “who’s who” in the sportfishing industry; and help shape the future consumer market by voting for the “Best of Show” awards in 17 product categories, as well as the coveted overall “Best of Show” award in the New Product Showcase.
There is no doubt that the single most important feature for exhibitors and attendees is the New Product Showcase, ICAST’s flagship feature. The Showcase offers exhibitors, buyers and media representatives a special opportunity to debut and preview hundreds of the next season’s innovations in fishing gear and accessories. Buyers and credentialed media will evaluate each new product and vote for them based on their innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality. The New Product Showcase winners will be announced during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception on Wednesday evening, July 14. This year, the Showcase voting hours, which begins Tuesday, July 13 at 5;30 p.m. during the Showcase preview reception, have been extended to 3:00 p.m., on July 14.
During the annual Industry Breakfast, which kicks off the show’s opening on Wednesday morning, July 14, Nussman and ASA Board of Directors Chairman Jeff Pontius, president, ZEBCO Brands, will address the complex nature of the issues facing our industry and why ASA’s new national angler advocacy campaign KeepAmericaFishing™ is vital to our industry’s future.
A new show feature this year is the ICAST Lure Tank, sponsored by Sebile USA, an area on the show floor that allows attendees to check out the newest lures while exhibitors demonstrate their features. This area compliments the ICAST Casting Pond which gives attendees the opportunity to not only see the latest rods and reels but to test them as well. A full list of show highlights and events can be found on ICASTfishing.org.
ICAST 2010 will offer free seminars, including a seminar that will focus on how the entire sportfishing community can get involved in advocating for our sport through KeepAmericaFishing™. ASA is also holding a session on Friday, July 16, outlining in more details the complex issues we’re facing as an industry. On Wednesday, July 14, a session will coverrecent legal developments of interest to manufacturers as well as cost effective steps to prevent infringing imports. ICAST is offering two seminars on how to incorporate social media into business plans and how to think beyond “pink” when marketing to women and their families. The seminars are free and open to all ICAST attendees. All seminars will be held in room N260.
ASA thanks the following companies for their generous support of ICAST 2010: Gold Level - Crocodile Bay Resort, Fishing Tackle Retailer, produced by ESPN Outdoor/BASS, Plano Molding Company, Take Me Fishing and ZEBCO Brands; Silver Level – In-Fisherman, Fishouflage Apparel, Gemini Sport Marketing, Northwest Sportsman and Sebile USA; and Bronze Level - Classic Fishing Products, Inc., Engel USA, FishGillz Sunglass Co., Gill North America, Girls Fish Too, Green Fish, Hatcams LLC, Irish Setter, Jonathan Paul Eyewear, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Mojo Sportswear Company, NoBarb Hooks, Northwest Sportsman, Southwick Associates and Tuscaroran Pro-Lures.
ASA and the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) have partnered to present the POMA/ASA Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award during ICAST. The POMA/ASA Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award recognizes outdoor journalists who exemplify the spirit, dedication to sportfishing, extraordinary talent and commitment to mentoring the next generation of sportfishing communicators displayed by Homer Circle during his storied career. The award will be presented during the New Product Preview Reception on Tuesday, July 13.
ICAST 2010 Show Hours
Wednesday, July 14 Thursday, July 15 Friday, July 16
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
For complete ICAST information, visit www.ICASTfishing.org. ICAST is a trade-only event and is not open to the public.
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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 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 economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also represents the interests of America’s 60 million anglers who generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.
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