Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Q: What does ICAST stand for?
A: International Convention of Allied Sportfishing
Trades.
Q: How many ICAST’s have there been?
A: ICAST
2005 is the 48th annual sportfishing expo which dates back
to the days before it was called ICAST and even before ASA. The
sportfishing expo became known as ICAST in 1998.
Q: How many times has ICAST been in Vegas?
A: Since
1988, ICAST has been in Las Vegas ten times. Las Vegas is
chosen so often because of the excellent convention facilities,
the low cost of doing business, convenient location and abundant
entertainment.
Q: What are the dates for future shows?
A: ICAST will remain in Las Vegas
until 2007. The dates are:
2005—July 20–22
2006—July 19–21
2007—July 18–20
The above dates are in conjunction with the National Marine
Manufacturers Association’s (NMMA) MAATS.
Q: Why is ICAST so important for our members and
the ASA?
A: Exhibiting and attending ICAST is a
significant investment for our members, but it gives them
the best return on their investment that they can find.
With the help of many members, including American Rod & Gun (one of the industry’s
largest buyers), we place more emphasis on writing orders
for merchandise at the show. Whether orders are physically
placed at the show or not, the stage is set for future orders
days or weeks down the line. However, the show is more
than orders. ICAST has evolved into THE annual event for
the sportfishing industry. Business still revolves around
face-to-face meetings and ICAST offers the opportunity to
network with hundreds of industry representatives in two
or three days. For the ASA, it’s our most visible
and most effective membership service offering and the best
opportunity to meet and greet our members.
THIS
YEAR VS PAST YEARS
Q: ICAST doesn’t appear to be as big as it
used to be?
A: Although at one
point ICAST had well over a thousand booths, several factors
have contributed to a smaller number of booths. The principal reason
is industry consolidation: there are just fewer independent
companies now. For example, Pure Fishing now has Abu
Garcia, Berkley, Red Wolf, Fenwick and Stren under its corporate
leadership. As the larger companies merge with the smaller
companies there are fewer companies buying booths at the
show. A slower economy, weather and other factors also
contribute to fewer booths.
Nevertheless, we still have experienced steady, solid growth
with the show growing from 933 booths in 2002 to 957 booths
in 2003 and currently at 1,086 booths for 2004, a 13 percent
increase!
Q: Are there fewer buyers attending ICAST?
A: Although
there maybe fewer buyers today than in years past, the most
consistent comment we hear from exhibitors is that “the ones we need to see are here.” This
was especially true in 2002 where buyer attendance was up
25 percent. However, remember that it only takes one
or two large orders to make the show profitable for an exhibitor
and ICAST attracts that kind of buyer.
It’s important to note that savvy exhibitors promote
their ICAST attendance to buyers prior to the show and schedule
appointments with the key buyers. It’s not enough
to just sit in your booth and hope a buyer will stop by. Exhibitors
must promote themselves and their products to potential buyers
BEFORE the show. ASA is happy to provide advice on successful
exhibiting to any member. We also urge companies to
offer special “show-only” deals to entice buyers.
We also run a series of give-aways to buyers as well.
HOTELS
AND TRANSPORTATION
Q: Why is the Hilton the headquarters hotel?
A: The
Hilton, while off the Strip, is simply the most convenient
location to the show. The
majority of exhibitors asked us to return to the Hilton.
Hotel
Las Vegas Hilton
Las Vegas Marriott Suites
Courtyard Convention Center
Residence Inn Convention
Center
Embassy
Suites Conv. Ctr |
Rate
$125
$109
$99
$105
$105 single
$115 double
|
Phone
800-732-7117
800-583-0079
800-583-0079
800-583-0079
800-362-2779 |
Q: Are shuttles provided to the hotels?
A: The Marriott hotels are right
across the street and so no shuttle service is provided. Embassy
Suites provides free shuttle to and from the LVCC.
SPECIAL
EVENTS
Q: What promotions are offered at ICAST for buyers?
A: There
are five buyer drawings. Buyers
are provided raffle forms when they pick up their badge holder.
Every time a buyer writes an order with an exhibitor, the
buyer will have the exhibitor sign the raffle form. The
buyer will then drop off the order form at the ASA booth. Drawings
will be done each day. Winners will be posted in the
ASA booth, registration and show entrances. Prizes
range from $500 in cash, with a grand prize of an all-expense
paid trip to Crocodile Bay Lodge in Costa Rica.
In addition, many booths will be offering show specials
to buyers. These range from discounts on merchandise
to cash prizes to trips with a company pro. Typically,
half of ICAST exhibitors offer these “show-only” deals. A
list of companies offering show specials will be printed
in the May/June issue of Fishing Tackle Retailer, in the
2005 ICAST Buyers’ Guide available at the entrance
to the show and listed on signs throughout the LVCC.
Q: Why are we focusing on buyers?
A: For
several years, ASA focused on booking exhibit space thinking
that buyers would follow. This
wasn’t the case. Exhibitors need buyers and our goal
is to not only attract more buyers to the show, but also
have them write orders and come back year after year. We
want happy members! Our promotions are used by other
industries to boost buyer attendance and we think they’ll
work for us as well.
Q: What is the Industry Breakfast?
A: The
Industry Breakfast is an excellent venue in which to address
a large segment of the sportfishing industry at one time. Our
speakers generate positive energy and a “go-get-em” message
so that members leave the breakfast FIRED UP to have a good
show for exhibitors and buyers alike. ASA President
and CEO Mike Nussman leads things off with a brief “state
of the industry” overview.
Q: What’s going on with the New Product Showcase?
A: A lot! First off, we’re
going to be more tightly enforcing which products get in (i.e.,
what’s
new) so that it’s absolutely NEW products that are
featured. Second, we’re again hosting a Preview
Reception on Tuesday evening where your favorite refreshments
will be served. This is an opportunity for buyers and
new product exhibitors to mix and mingle—and demonstrate
the new product features—in an informal setting. Third,
at the conclusion of the reception, a cash prize drawing
will be held for a media representative and a buyer. Fourth,
ALL buyers are eligible to vote for the Best of Show awards
until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Allowing all buyers to
vote provides the truest “poll” of what buyers
think is the best new product at ICAST.
Q: When will the New Product Showcase/Best of Show
Awards be announced?
A: Award
winners will be announced at the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception Wednesday evening. Winners
will also be posted in the New Product Showcase.
Q: How did that company get their name up there,
on there or in there?
A: ASA is offering a wide variety
of sponsorship opportunities this year. Member companies
have an opportunity to sponsor the New Product Showcase, rep
board, message board, convention bags and other venues. All
exhibitors are given this opportunity—forms were in the Exhibitor
Service Manual and Promo Pak—and they all paid money to have
their logos displayed.
WHAT
DOES THAT BADGE MEAN?
Q: Why do buyers and media get in for free?
A:
These are the two groups that our exhibitors most want to
see. Exhibitors want the buyers to buy their product
and the writers to write about it. Exhibitors invest
a considerable amount of money to attend ICAST. They expect
to directly benefit from the buyers and writers who attend
through order placement and articles and features in some
of the most popular outdoor sports publications in the country,
and internationally. All the other attendees get benefits
FROM the show.
Q: What’s the difference between members of
the media-editorial, media-sales, and advertising associates?
A:
If media representatives are attending ICAST in order to
write about the show, products and other ICAST-related
events, then they are considered media-editorial. If
they come from a media source (newspaper, magazine, dot.com)
but are in advertising sales or are media consultants, then
they fall under the media-sales category and must pay the
$100 pre-registration or $150 on-site registration fee. In
addition, sales and marketing reps, PR professionals and
account executives fall under the advertising/industry associate
category.
Q: Why are you giving me such a hard time about
my badge credentials?
A: ASA isn’t giving you a hard time;
we are simply following the direction of the companies that
we represent. Our Board of Directors establishes the
parameters for badge credentials and we follow their direction.
BY
THE NUMBERS
Exhibitors
Booths
Buyers
Imp/Exp
Press |
2004
384
1106
1752
*240
**363 |
2003
323
957
1625
*269
412 |
2002
329
933
1879
n/a
342 |
2001
313
843
1498
n/a
277 |
2000
292
820
1250
n/a
240 |
*Import/Export were previously counted
as buyers.
**Media Sales category was added in 2004. |
