July 2009 American Sportfishing Association Member Update
Member Updates are e-mailed monthly to members of the American Sportfishing Association and our partners on issues of interest to the future of fishing. For more information, contact ASA Communications, 703.519.9691.
BELOW IS A LIST OF TOPICS IN THIS UPDATE. Please scroll down for the complete document. Previous ASA Member Updates are available in the ASA Newsroom.
Each month ASA e-mails an update about our Government Affairs activities called Policy Watch. These documents can be found in the Government Affairs section of ASA’s Web site.
Condolences to the Gauch Family
2009 Sportfishing Summit – Mark your Calendars
2009 Sportfishing Summit Sponsorship Opportunities
ICAST 2009 Highlights
New Product Showcase “Best of Show” Award Recipients
Thank You ICAST 2009 Sponsors
ICAST 2009 Surveys Distributed
Exhibiting at ICAST 2010
Mark Your Calendar for ICAST 2010 and 2011
Senate Confirms New U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director
ASA Member Benefits
Welcome New Members
Book Your Space for the ASA Eastern Shows Today!
FishAmerica Foundation Updates
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
Condolences to the Gauch Family
On behalf of the Board of Directors, ASA members and the staff we extend our sincere condolences to the Gauch family on the passing of Norman E. Gauch, former ASA Board of Directors chairman, who passed away July, 8, 2009, at age 90. For decades, Norm was very active in the industry and the association having served as chairman from 1973 – 1975. Norm attended ICAST 2007, the 50th anniversary of the industry’s trade show, as one of ASA’s honored guests. Thank you, Norm, for your life-long dedication to the sport we love. Contributions in Norm’s memory may be made to Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, S.O.S. Trust Fund, 761 Elmgrove Road, Rochester, N.Y. 14624; or St. John's Home Foundation, 150 Highland Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14620.
2009 Sportfishing Summit – Mark Your Calendars
To gain information on the most relevant issues facing the sportfishing industry, mark your calendar today for the Sportfishing Summit, ASA’s annual membership meeting and premier networking event scheduled for October 27–29, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif. Information regarding Summit registration and hotel reservations will be available on ASA’s Web site by mid-August. All registration materials will be available online. ASA will also send notification by e-mail. Please watch your inboxes for Summit materials. For more information, contact Communications Director Mary Jane Williamson , x227, or Communications Associate Ryan Colaianni , x222.
2009 Sportfishing Summit Sponsorship Opportunities
Build name recognition and make a statement to the leaders in the sportfishing industry by sponsoring an event at the American Sportfishing Association’s annual gathering of members and partners – The Sportfishing Summit. Let us help you figure out a sponsorship that meets your needs and your budget. If you are interested in being a sponsor for this year’s Summit, please contact Membership Director Jill Calabria , x234.
ICAST 2009 Highlights
From July 15-17, nearly 7,400 representatives of the global sportfishing community converged on the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. for ICAST 2009 , the world’s largest sportfishing tradeshow. ICAST 2009 featured 396 exhibitors filling 1,200 booths. More than 2,300 buyers and over 525 members of the media were in attendance, helping to contribute to the highest ICAST attendance in more than a decade. Also in attendance were over 700 attendees from 63 countries. ICAST also co-located with the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS), produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), allowing more than 10,000 attendees to walk both show floors. For more information, please contact Kenneth Andres , x231, or Maria del Valle , x240.
New Product Showcase “Best of Show” Award Recipients
The New Product Showcase, the flagship feature of ICAST, occupied an expanded section of the show floor and included 600 new products from 208 companies. The Hobie Cat Mirage Pro Angler, both a boat and a kayak, was voted by buyers and media as the most innovative product in the ICAST 2009 New Product Showcase in both the Marine category and the overall “Best of Show.” Other winners in the 2009 New Product Showcase are: Cablz, Inc., Apparel; Pure Fishing, Combo and Line; Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Eyewear; Durasafe, Fishing Accessory; Master Vision, Giftware; Ross Reels USA/Ross Worldwide Outdoors, Kids Tackle; Sebile USA, Soft Lure and Hard Lure; Shimano American Corporation, Freshwater Reel; Daiwa, Saltwater Reel; USA Custom Rods, Freshwater Rod; G. Loomis, Saltwater Rod; Plano Molding Company, Tackle Management and Better Bait Systems, Terminal Tackle.
Thank You ICAST 2009 Sponsors
ASA would like to thank its members who have signed on as ICAST sponsors: Gold - ESPN Outdoor/BASS , Crocodile Bay , VERSUS and ZEBCO Brands ; Silver – Fetha Styx , Gemini Sport Marketing , In-Fisherman , Northwest Sportsman Magazine and Outdoor Identities ; and Bronze - Classic Fishing Products, Inc. , FishGillz , Gill North America , Glowspek Industries , Inc. and Tuscaroran Pro-Lures. Thank you for your support!
ICAST 2009 Surveys Distributed
ICAST 2009 Buyer, Attendees, Exhibitor and Media satisfaction surveys were distributed via e-mail on August 4. Investing just a few minutes of your time will help us to ensure that your ICAST experience is the best one possible. The survey is being conducted for ASA by Southwick Associates. If you have any questions about the surveys, please contact Mary Jane Williamson , x227.
Exhibiting at ICAST 2010
With ICAST 2009 behind us, it is time to reserve your space at ICAST 2010, July 14–16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Once a deposit is received, booths will be assigned to exhibitors in early October. Contracts will not be processed until a deposit is received. The ICAST 2010 contract and floor plan are available on ICASTfishing.org . For more information, contact Kenneth Andres , x231.
Mark Your Calendar for ICAST 2010 and 2011
ICAST will return to Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention Center in 2010 and 2011. We look forward to seeing you there!
ICAST 2010 – July 14 - 16, 2010, Las Vegas Convention Center
ICAST 2011 – July 13 - 15, 2011, Las Vegas Convention Center
Senate Confirms New U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director
On July 31, the Senate confirmed Sam D. Hamilton as Director of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Hamilton is a career senior biologist, with over three decades of federal service, most recently as Director of the USFWS’ Southeast Region with offices in Atlanta, Ga.
ASA Member Benefits
ASA and PartnerShip have teamed up to offer Members great savings on shipping with FedEx and UPS Freight. Whether it’s ground, express, freight, inbound, outbound, commercial, or residential – PartnerShip can help with your shipping needs. These discounts are free, and feature no shipping minimums, requirements or obligations. Enroll online today for this free ASA member benefit or call 800-599-2902 or email sales@partnership.com .
Welcome New Members!
ASA welcomes these new members or members who reinstated their membership in July:
Bexy Products Unlimited, Clearwater, FL; Black Dog Bait Company, Danville, CA; Bluegreen Renewable, Jacksonville Beach, FL; Crowder Rods, Inc., www.crowderrods.com, Stuart, FL; Deep Down Dive Apparel & Helter Skeletons, Panama City, FL; Dragonfly Boatworks LLC, Vero Beach, FL; Evolved Angler, LLC, Gulfport, MS; In-Pact Poly Products, Inc., N. Kansas City, MO; Jason Mitchell Dist., Devils Lake, ND; Joe's Flies, Nutter Fort, WV; Maui Surf Company, Pompano Beach, FL; Mid-South Sports Sales, Inc., Parker, TX; Mission Fishin' Lure Co., Mims, FL; Optima Batteries, Milwaukee, WI; Outdoor Guide Magazine, St. Louis, MO; Outside Hub LLC, Southfield, MI; Rescue Tape/Harbor Products, San Pedro, CA; RoadHouse Tackle, Willis, TX; Ron Smart & Associates, Clermont, FL; Ryjus Group, Winnipeg, MB Canada; Source Outdoor Group, Gainesville, GA; Source Pro, Brandon, MS; Starlight Sales Corp., Grand Rapids, MI; Summit Marketing, Lake Placid, FL; The Green Button Project, Miami Beach, FL; The Mustang Group, LTD., Eagle Pass, TX and Trout Bum Products, Heredia, Costa Rica.
Book Your Space for the ASA Eastern Shows Today!
The ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition consumer shows are gearing up for the 2010 show season. Now is the time to reserve space for the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Worcester, MA,Feb. 11-14, 2010; Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow, Oaks, PA, Feb. 25-28, 2010; World Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Suffern, NY, Mar. 4-7, 2010; and The Saltwater Fishing Expo, Somerset, NJ, Mar. 19-21, 2010. Current ASA members that participate in all four of ASA/ Eastern Fishing & Outdoor exposition shows will receive a 20 percent discount on standard priced booth space.To sign up for exhibit space, contact the ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo staff at 603-431-4315 or e-mail info@sportshows.com for more information.
FishAmerica Foundation Update
To help FishAmerica keep our nation’s fish and waters healthy, visit FishAmerica online at www.fishamerica.org or contact Executive Director Johanna Laderman, x245 or Grants Manager Erica George, x247.
Brunswick continues long-time support of coastal habitat restoration
The Brunswick Public Foundation awarded its ninth grant to the FishAmerica Foundation. The $15,000 grant will support six projects to restore marine and anadromous fish habitat in areas accessible to fishing from boats. The grant is matched with $172,332 from the NOAA Restoration Center and $30,500 from the sportfishing and boating industry to fund six grassroots projects. The combined donations of $222,832, in addition to the $1,359,428 from local organizations, represent a six-to-one match for these projects. Since 2000, the Brunswick Public Foundation grants have supported volunteer efforts to restore more than 2,800 acres of wetlands and 32 miles of river in fisheries habitat in 13 coastal states enhancing boating and fishing opportunities along our nation’s coasts. Local groups have invested nearly $3 million in these projects.
FishAmerica Requests Support to Invest in Critical Habitat Restoration Projects
In June, FishAmerica received 50 proposals requesting more than $2.1 million for community-based habitat restoration projects across coastal America, the Great Lakes region, and U.S. Territories of the Caribbean through its NOAA Restoration Center partnership. With just over $700,000 in available funds, many critical projects will not be funded. For more information on supporting these projects, contact Johanna Laderman, executive director, at 703-519-9691, x245. Funding for this program will be announced in October 2009.
FishAmerica thanks ASA members for their support
FishAmerica would like to thank the following ASA members for their combined donations of nearly $62,000 to the foundation since October 2008, through direct donations, FishAmerica Gulf Fund donations, licensed-product sales, tournament partnerships and endowment donations: BLS Consultants; Boomerang Tool Company; Carrera-Werner Sales Company; Citti Sales; Corporate Products, LLC (CORPRO); Daiwa Corporation; Do-It Corporation/Component Systems Paint; Evolution Products, Inc.; Expositions, Inc.; Fiber Consulting Services; FishGillz Sunglass Company; FLW Outdoors; Frank & Fran's Fisherman's Friend, Inc.; Jeff Robles & Associates; Jones & Company; Kanji International, Inc.; Lamiglas, Inc.; Magic Products, Inc.; McClain Sales Company; Pro Line Manufacturing; Sea Striker International; Southeastern Fishing - The Liquidators; Surf or Sound Realty; United Anglers of Southern California; Yakima Bait Company; and ZEBCO Brands.
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
ICAST 2009, held this past July at the Orlando County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., was one of the best show we’ve had in many years and I thank all the members of the industry—our Board of Directors, buyers, exhibitors, ASA members, our partners and the media—for their support and participation. I also want to thank the ASA staff for the tremendous effort they made to ensure a successful show for our member exhibitors and attendees alike. Our theme this year was “Where Sportfishing Means Business” and we made that our rallying point.
Florida is the epicenter of sportfishing in the United States, and quite possibly the world. The tradeshow’s Florida location made it relatively easy for retail business owners and media representatives from the Southeastern U.S. as well as industry leaders from Europe and South America to attend the show, something they may not have been able to do in recent years.
I admit we were a bit gun shy about leaving Las Vegas, but everyone seems to have embraced the Orlando show location and it certainly exceeded our expectations in terms of attendance. We had a record crowd of nearly 7,400 representatives from the global sportfishing community at the show. With strong attendance from Florida and the Southeast, more than 2,300 buyers and more than 525 media representatives attended the show. International ICAST attendance also continues to grow with more than 700 attendees from 63 countries represented at ICAST 2009.
Each year, I am amazed by the quality of new products that are unveiled at the New Product Showcase and this year was no different. I congratulate all of the winners and everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase, from the companies who worked hard to develop these innovations to the buyers and media who served as judges. I could go on, but I believe what is most important is saying thank you for your participation and attendance. It’s also important to note that the Showcase is not only for established companies. Three first-time ICAST exhibitors were Showcase winners. In addition, eight returning ICAST exhibitors were also first-time winners with three 2008 showcase winners also taking honors this year.
Despite the sluggish economy and tough unemployment numbers, a strong show floor and solid attendance from buyers and media indicates that sportfishing remains a solid industry not just in Florida but across the United States. In this economy, people know they need to be smart about where and how they do business. I’m gratified that attending ICAST was high on everyone’s list and we greatly appreciate it.
In addition to ICAST, there is no better forum in which to discuss the issues before the sportfishing industry than at the 2009 Sportfishing Summit being held October 27-29, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego. We have a great agenda planned for this year’s Summit. The association’s annual business meeting is the best opportunity in the sportfishing industry to hear the latest on issues that affect your business and participate in the industry’s future.
I know that attending the Summit is an investment of time and resources. For some of our retail and smaller manufacturing members, time away from your business can be difficult, but I assure you, there is no better investment in the future of your business.
Once again, thank you for helping to make ICAST a success and I look forward to seeing you in San Diego.
