Get Hooked on Innovation at ICAST 2006
by Mary Jane Williamson
May 23, 2006—Alexandria, Va.—Get ready...ICAST
2006 is just around the corner, and the show floor is sold out for
the fifth year running. Now in its 49th year, ICAST is the world’s
largest sportfishing trade event, with nearly 400 exhibitors showcasing
their full product lines along with the latest and greatest in sportfishing
equipment and accessories for industry buyers.
With “Hooked on
Innovation” as its central theme, this year’s
ICAST lineup features expanded categories for the New Product Showcase, a new
initiative to help buyers maximize their time and savings and a first-ever seminar
addressing the pervasive commerce in counterfeit products.
This is going to be quite an exciting year at ICAST,” said American
Sportfishing Association (ASA) President and CEO Mike Nussman. “This is
the fifth year in a row ICAST has sold out, and ASA is committed to providing
a stellar show for our exhibitors and attendees. Once again, my thanks go to
our members whose hard work and enthusiasm have made ICAST an unrivaled success
year after year.”
Produced by ASA, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing
Trades, or ICAST, takes place July 19-21, at the Las Vegas Convention
Center. The show 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. ICAST 2006 is expected to ultimately
draw over 6,000 attendees.
ICAST 2006 Show Hours
Wednesday, July 19 • 9:00 am– 5:30 pm
Thursday, July 20 • 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Friday, July 21 • 8:30 am–4:00 pm
All events are at the Las Vegas Convention Center except for the Chairman’s
Awards Reception at the Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A.
Event highlights
for this year’s show include:
New Product Showcase and Preview Reception
Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer
New Product Showcase Expands for 2006
In 2006, the New Product Showcase—the show’s flagship feature—will
draw even bigger crowds as competition for the "Best of
Show" awards
intensifies. In order to better represent the diversity of gear and
accessories, product categories for 2006 have expanded. The Rod and
Reel categories have both been split into freshwater and saltwater
and there is a new category for the growing Eyewear industry. Additionally,
Electronics is its own category while Boating Accessories and Giftware
have been consolidated into one category. Exhibitors will now have
the opportunity to compete in a total of 16 product categories as well
as the overall “Best
of Show.”
New
Product Showcase Preview Reception—Tuesday, July 18, 5:30–7:30
pm
Buyers and members of the media are invited to this special
reception to learn about all the latest innovations in fishing gear.
The reception offers an exclusive sneak preview of the New Product Showcase
prior to the official show opening. Buyers and media also serve as
the official judges for the prestigious “Best of Show” competition
and are automatically entered into a raffle for a cash prize of up to
$3,000 just for voting. This
reception is open to New Product Showcase exhibitors, buyers and credentialed
media only.
Reelin’ and Dealin’ with ICAST Show
Specials
For the first
time, specific information about Show Specials will be made available to registered buyers prior to the show. The new Reelin’ and
Dealin’: A Guide to ICAST-Only Show Specials will be distributed to
registered buyers before and during the show giving buyers an opportunity
to schedule their time more efficiently and make sure they don’t miss
out on any of the biggest and best deals.
The majority of buyers surveyed
in 2005 said one of their main reasons for attending ICAST is to take
advantage of discounts on orders. More than half of ICAST exhibitors
have been offering Show Specials over the last few years. By
giving more visibility to Show Specials, ASA hopes the new guide will have
the added side effect of spurring more companies to offer these deals, thus
expanding the show’s appeal to buyers and boosting orders overall. A
list of exhibitors offering show specials is available on ASA’s Web site.
Industry Breakfast—Wednesday, July 19, 7:30–8:45
am. Tickets required.
Just before the show floor opens on July 19, ASA
President and CEO Mike Nussman will provide his State of the Industry message
followed by the keynote speaker. This year’s theme is the importance
of innovation in keeping the sportfishing industry strong and prosperous.
But
innovation doesn’t just apply to developing new ways to catch a fish.
Innovation also applies to sales, marketing and product pricing, particularly
in the retail sector. This year’s keynote speaker, Larry Steinmetz,
Ph.D., former professor of management at the Graduate School of Business,
University of Colorado, and successful entrepreneur, will have everyone thinking
very differently—and much smarter—about prices and profits.
Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception—Wednesday,
July 19, 5:30–7:30 pm
The Awards Reception will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton
Sponsored
by Shimano American Corporation
Dave Pfeiffer, executive vice
president, Shimano American Corporation, and ASA’s Board of Directors chairman, will host the annual reception to
celebrate the show’s opening. The New Product Showcase winners will
be announced at the reception. Also, Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO,
and Bruce Matthews, president and CEO, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation,
will present the “Take Me Fishing” Manufacturer and “Take
Me Fishing” Retailer of the Year Awards.
Cyber Lounge—July 19-20-21
Sponsored by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation
Free and
convenient access to computer terminals in the Cyber Lounge will provide
attendees the chance to stay connected to business without leaving the show
floor or keeping a laptop nearby. At the Cyber Lounge, media, attendees and
exhibitors can find out about “Anglers’ Legacy,” a
national mission from the “Take Me Fishing” campaign.
Free Business
Seminars—July 19 and July 20
Combating Counterfeiting—Wednesday, July 19–11:00
am and 2:00 pm
These seminars include comments by experts from the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security’s International Property Rights Center on
thwarting commerce in fake products.
Your Federal Tax Responsibilities—Thursday,
July 20, 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Paying the federal manufacturers’ excise tax on fishing gear is part
of doing business for every manufacturer. During these sessions, specialists
from the IRS will explain how the tax is applied to various business
models and explain sportfish manufacturers’ responsibility for tax
payments. Every manufacturer will want to hear about the changes found in
the 2006 IRS Director’s Directive, payment scenarios and terminology.
Registering and Housing for ICAST
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 available on ASA’s Web
site.
For complete ICAST information please visit www.asafishing.org.
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 650 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.
