June 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.
ASA Board of Directors Election Results
Board of Directors to Meet at ICAST 2009
ICAST 2009 Registration and Badges
ICAST Exhibitors – Dues Payments Required
Thank You ICAST 2009 Sponsors
New Product Showcase Preview Reception
Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception
ICAST 2009 Industry Breakfast- Sold Out
Reelin’ & Dealin’: A Guide to ICAST-only Specials
ICAST Seminars
ICAST 2009 Complimentary Shuttle Bus Service
Mark Your Calendar for ICAST 2010 and 2011
ICAST and MAATS
2009 Sportfishing Summit – Mark Your Calendars
Welcome New Members
Book Your Space for the ASA Eastern Shows Today!
FishAmerica Foundation Updates
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
ASA Board of Directors Election Results
Six members of ASA’s Board of Directors were elected or re-elected in June. Regional seats went to Martin MacDonald, Bass Pro Shops, who will serve the South Central Region; Bob Eakes, Red Drum Tackle Shops, who will serve the Southeast Region (re-elected); and Dick Pool, Pro-Troll Fishing Products, who will serve the West Region. At-large seats went to John Jilling, Wright & McGill Company (re-elected); Geoff Ratte, Water Gremlin Company (re-elected) and Dave Bulthuis, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Inc. Their terms begin October 1, 2009. Board members serve two-year terms. For more information about the ballots or the voting process, contact Board Liaison Joyce Anderson-Logan , x233.
Board of Directors to Meet at ICAST 2009
ASA’s Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, July 14, 2009, from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., at the Orange County Convention Center, prior to the opening day of ICAST. For more information, contact Joyce Anderson-Logan , x233.
ICAST 2009 Registration and Badges
Online registration is available until 8:00 p.m. EST, Thursday, July 9. If you have not yet registered, please register online now to avoid long lines on site. ICAST badges were mailed the week of June 21. Please note that badges for international exhibitors and attendees will not be mailed and must be picked up at the advance registration desk located at the Orange County Convention Center. If you registered after June 12, you will need to pick up your badges at the Advance Registration Desk at the Orange County Convention Center. Please see the Show Schedule for on-site registration hours.
ICAST Exhibitors – Dues Payments Required
In order be an ICAST 2009 exhibitor, you must be an ASA member in good standing with the current year’s membership dues paid in full. If you have not done so already, please pay your annual membership dues immediately. If payment is not received prior to the show, you may not be permitted to set up your booth. If you have submitted payment, we truly appreciate your support. For more information, please contact Membership Director Jill Calabria , x241.
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!
New Product Showcase and Preview Reception
The New Product Showcase Preview Reception, sponsored by ESPN Outdoors/BASS, Tuesday, July 14, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Aisle 300, offers an exclusive sneak preview of the New Product Showcase prior to the official show opening. New this year, exhibitors are not permitted in the Showcase during the voting period which begins at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 and ends at 1:00 pm. on Wednesday, July 15. Only registered buyers and Media-editorial attendees are eligible to vote in the New Product Showcase and only one ballot per buying entity or media outlet is permitted. Buyers and media representatives will evaluate each new product and vote for them based on their innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality. There are 17 categories along with the overall “Best of Show.” Just for voting, buyers and credentialed media are eligible to win one of three $500.00 cash prizes. After 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 15, the Showcase is open to all ICAST exhibitors and attendees. The New Product Showcase awards will be presented Wednesday evening during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception at the Rosen Centre, Ballroom A and B.
Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception
The Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception, sponsored by ZEBCO Brands, will be held Wednesday, July 15, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Rosen Centre Grand Ballroom A & B. Jeff Pontius, president, ZEBCO Brands and Chairman of ASA’s Board of Directors, hosts our annual welcome reception. During the reception, Pontius and ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman will present the New Product Showcase "Best of Show" awards. Everyone is welcome to attend the awards reception.
ICAST 2009 Industry Breakfast – Sold Out
Tickets for the annual ICAST Industry Breakfast, one of the most-attended ICAST events, held Wednesday, July 15, 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m., just prior to the show opening are sold out. President and CEO Mike Nussman, ASA Board of Directors Chairman and ZEBCO Brands President Jeff Pontius, Frank Peterson, president and CEO, Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and former Michigan Governor John Engler, current president of the National Association of Manufacturers will outline the state of the industry. Industry Breakfast tickets ordered after June 12 will need to be picked up onsite at the ICAST Registration Desk.
Reelin’ & Dealin’: A Guide to ICAST-only Specials
Special product discounts—exclusive to ICAST 2009—are a popular draw for retail and wholesale buyers. The Reelin’ & Dealin’: A Guide to ICAST-only Specials gives buyers a better opportunity to save money on product orders placed during the show. The guide will be sent to registered buyers in mid-June. It will also be available during the show. Exhibitors who submitted their show specials form by April 1 are listed in the current May/June issue of Fishing Tackle Retailer. Those who submitted their form by April 24 are listed in printed version of the Reelin’ & Dealin’ guide. To see a list of companies offering show specials, please visit the Show Specials page on the ICAST Web site. It’s still not too late to offer a show special. Contact Ken Andres , x231, for more information.
ICAST Seminars
ICAST 2009 will feature three complimentary seminars open to all attendees. The three seminars - “A Taxing Issue—The Federal Manufacturers’ Excise Tax on Sportfishing Equipment;” “Your Federal Manufacturers’ Excise Tax Dollars – Where Do They Go?;” and “Design and Utility Patent IP Protection for Fishing Tackle and Marine Products” will be held in the Orange County Convention Center, room W202C.
ICAST 2009 Complimentary Shuttle Bus Service
Complimentary shuttle bus service will be provided between the Orange County Convention Center and the official ICAST hotels . Service begins on Wednesday, July 15, at 7:00 a.m. and ends Friday, July 17, at 4:00 p.m. Details will be posted at the Convention Center, hotel lobbies and in the ICAST 2009 Buyers’ Guide.
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
ICAST and MAATS
ICAST will once again co-locate with the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS), produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Your ICAST badge allows you access to both the ICAST and MAATS trade show floors.
2009 Sportfishing Summit – Mark Your Calendars
ASA invites its members and partners to the 2009 Sportfishing Summit scheduled for October 27–29, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif. 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. If you are interested in being a sponsor for this year’s Summit, please contact Jill Calabria , 234.
Welcome New Members!
ASA welcomes these new members or members who reinstated their membership in June:
78 Solutions LLC , Cape Coral, FL; ArteHouse LLC , Oxnard, CA; Backwater Fishing Company of Florida, Palatka, FL; The Bass Federation, Inc ., Ponca City, OK; BBS Tech, Inc. , Erlanger, KY; Barefoot Fishing, Raleigh, NC; Bay Water Apparel , Foley, AL; Beijing Longjin Technology Development Co., LTD., Beijing; Bottom Crawlers, LLC , Fort Lauderdale, FL; C & J Innovative Products Inc. , Miami, FL; Cedars, LTD, South Fulton, TN; Diamond S.A. , Concepcion, CHILE; fishhookremoval.com, Brainerd, MN; Freedom Hawk Kayaks, Inc. Brighton, MI; Gary Walker & Associates, Inc., Jupiter, FL; GEO Strategy Partners , Atlanta, GA; High Range Designs , Victor, ID; Homewaters Clothing , Sullivans Island, SC; Kim Stricker Productions, Inc, Howell, MI; Max Bait Tray Systems , Durham, NC; National Importers, Jupiter, FL; Netbait , Greenville, AL; Ocean Tec, West Palm Beach, FL; Paradise Lines Inc., Oakland Park, FL; Perry Pole LLC , Oldsmar, FL; Piranha Rod Rack , Lake Park, FL; R & R Tackle , Miami, FL; Russelure, Cypress, TX; Showmark, LLC , Exton, PA; Sure Strike Tackle , Newtown, PA; Temple Fork Outfitters , Dallas, TX; Tightlines Lure Co. , Maryville, MD; Ultimate Bucket Mouth , Spring, TX United Plastic Molders , Jackson, MS; and Zag Enterprises Inc. , Mableton, GA.
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 offstandard 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.
FishAmerica Grant Requests Far Exceeds Available Funding
In June, the FishAmerica Foundation received 50 proposals totaling more than $2.1 million in funding requests for community-based habitat restoration projects across Coastal America, the Great Lakes region, and U.S. Territories in the Caribbean. The funded proposals will be announced in October 2009. The number of requests demonstrates a significant interest and need for funding to ensure critical habitat restoration for important recreational fish such as salmon and striped bass. The need, as always, outweighs the availability of funds. FishAmerica and the NOAA Restoration Center have just over $700,000 available for grant awards at this time. Those interested in providing additional support for these projects and other FishAmerica programs, should contact Johanna Laderman, executive director, at 703-519-9691 x245 or visit www.fishamerica.org for more information.
FishAmerica Thanks ASA Members
FishAmerica thanks the following 26 ASA members for investing more than $61,000 to FishAmerica’s efforts this fiscal year to help keep our fish and waters healthy 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
As the American Sportfishing Association’s President and CEO, I do a lot of thinking about our industry and where our business is headed. Last fall when it became clear that our economy was headed for some very tough times, the Board of Directors, our Show Committee and I were very concerned about what 2009 would bring for the industry, our association and the industry’s trade show.
However, I’m happy to report that ICAST is once again a sold-out show. It’s clear that Florida was a good choice for us in 2009 and we’ve had a very strong response to the Orlando location for ICAST 2009. The sportfishing industry will converge on the Orlando County Convention Center next week for ICAST 2009, July 15 – 17, at the Orange County Convention Center. We have 396 exhibitors occupying 1,200 booths. Of these 123 are new exhibitors of which 82 are from Florida. We’re expecting 7,000 people from the global sportfishing community to attend ICAST.
For millions of Americans, fishing is a way of life and a personal means to connect with the outdoors. For others, fishing means time with family and friends and an opportunity to pass on a family tradition. For many others, particularly young people, fishing often is their first experience with the outdoors. But for us, it’s our livelihood. It’s our connection to the sport we love. It’s why each year the global sportfishing industry travels to ICAST to see the latest in gear and accessories and to network with colleagues old and new.
Although the challenges we’ve grappled with for many decades are still with us - increasing participation in the sport - creating innovative new products to excite anglers - expanding business opportunities - and policy issues that could affect the industry, your businesses and for that matter, the sport itself – it’s clear that ICAST is the place to be for the sportfishing industry.
I’m looking forward to seeing you next week in Orlando.
