The American Sportfishing Association (ASA)
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 the 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 the industry 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. ASA also represents the interests of America’s 60 million anglers who generate over $46 billion in retail sales with a $114 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.
Business and Networking Opportunities
ASA produces the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the premier trade event for the sportfishing industry and the largest showcase of fishing gear and accessories in the world. This event annually draws 7,000 attendees; a network of your industry colleagues. ICAST 2009 will be held July 15–17, 2009, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. ICAST 2010 is scheduled for July 21-23, 2010, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Each October, ASA hosts the Sportfishing Summit, our annual business meeting and leading sportfishing community networking event. From special sessions, to business workshops, to association committee meetings, the Summit provides a wide-range of opportunities to gain information on the most relevant issues facing the sportfishing industry. The 2009 Sportfishing Summit is scheduled for October 27-29, at Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif.
Through our consumer show partnership with Fred Hall & Associates on the West Coast and ASA’s Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition consumer shows in the Northeast, we’re securing sound investments for fishing’s future and the future of the sportfishing industry.
ASA also offers its members a variety of discount packages on business products and services and insurance packages that can help them run a more successful business.
Protecting Your Business Interests
ASA fosters strong relationships with Members of Congress, conservation and recreation partners and state and federal government leaders to ensure that sportfishing interests are well represented when policy decisions are made. Advocating on behalf of all our members is ASA’s way of keeping watch on the existing and potential laws and policies that significantly affect our members’ businesses and sportfishing itself. We give the sportfishing industry a resonating voice in influential circles in all states and the nation’s capital.
ASA’s online Legislative Action Center enables members to easily contact their Members of Congress or reach the media within a geographic area to assist ASA in its advocacy efforts. ASA also maintains www.keepamericafishing.org, a Web site dedicated to access issues across the nation. ASA members, anglers and the general public can easily find information about pending legislation and other actions that could impede access to their favorite fishing and destination spots.
Industry Data Reports
Sportfishing in America is a synopsis of the information found in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation providing information about angler numbers, annual days of fishing, sportfishing expenditures and their associated economic impacts. Breakouts are provided for freshwater, saltwater and Great Lakes fishing. The report is available on ASA’s Web site.
Today’s Angler is a more detailed synopsis of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation produced by ASA and geared toward the sportfishing industry. This report provides detailed information on angler preferences and vital statistics that will assist ASA members in learning about their target markets. The report is available at no cost to ASA members and for $250 to partners and prospective members.
Keeping You Informed
ASA’s Web site– www.asafishing.org– is the most comprehensive resource for information about the American Sportfishing Association and the sportfishing industry. Our Web site provides current information on industry data and statistics, shows and events, government affairs, member services and our two non-profit foundations. We strive to provide all of our key services online, such as policy updates and newsletters.
Our monthly e-mail news bulletin, the ASA Member Update, provides current information for our members and partners on issues, events and activities of importance to the sportfishing community.
Policy Watch is a monthly update e-mailed to the sportfishing community regarding ASA’s Government Affairs and advocacy activities. ASA will issue a Policy Alert whenever action needs to be taken by our members on a specific issue.
American Sportfishing is the association’s bi-monthly newsletter providing a broader view of the activities of ASA and our partners. American Sportfishing includes information about industry news, events, perspectives and trends that affect the sportfishing community.
Investing in the Future
Just like tens of millions of anglers, the sportfishing industry readily recognizes fishing as a dividend of our strong commitment to conservation and an important part of the American way of life. ASA gives the industry a unified role and national impact on conservation through its habitat restoration and conservation arm, the FishAmerica Foundation.
The FishAmerica Foundation - Keeping Our Fish and Waters Healthy
The FishAmerica Foundation currently provides more than $1 million in grants each year for fisheries conservation and research across the country, empowering citizen conservationists in their own communities. Over the years, the foundation has provided more than $9 million for more than 900 grassroots conservation projects.
