ICAST Exhibitors FAQs
Q: What is ICAST?
A: ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades)
is the sportfishing industry’s largest trade show and is operated by the
American Sportsfishing Association. The 2006 show will be the 49th annual
sportfishing trade show. Formerly known as the American Fishing Tackle
Manufacturers Association sportfishing expo, the show was renamed ICAST
in 1998. The show is the place to be to network with industry leaders
and sample the world’s largest selection of new fishing gear.
Q: When is ICAST 2006?
A: ICAST will be held July 19–21, 2006 in the Central
Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Q: Who can attend ICAST?
A: ICAST is a trade-only show and not open to the
general public. Manufacturers typically exhibit at ICAST or
they may attend as non-exhibiting member manufacturers. Exhibitors
must be members of the American Sportsfishing Association.
Wholesalers, retailers, manufacturer’s reps, advertising and
industry associates, government affiliates and members of the
media are welcome to attend the show. Registration will be
available soon.
Q: How many people attended ICAST 2005?
A: ICAST 2005 was another record breaking year with
389 exhibiting companies using 1,178 booths; over 400 members
of the media and nearly 2,000 buyers representing retailers
and wholesalers, both large and small.
Q: How do I obtain booth space?
A: Please complete the exhibit space contract using the current
floor plan for booth selection. Remember
to make at least six selections for booth space location
by preference. In the event that the location requested
is not available, ASA reserves the right to assign comparable
space. All contracts submitted must be accompanied with
a 50 percent deposit of the total booth fee or space will
not be assigned. A confirmation letter with the booth assignment
and balance due invoice will be sent to all exhibitors.
Q: How much does it cost to exhibit at ICAST?
A: A standard 10 foot by 10 foot booth at ICAST is $1,300. Corner
locations are more expensive (an additional $200 for each
corner of the booth). A 50 percent deposit is required upon
submission of your exhibit space contract. Additional costs
for outfitting your booth with carpeting and electrical are not included
in the booth fee, nor are registration badges. ASA
membership is a requirement of all ICAST exhibitors.
Q: What does my booth fee include?
A: A standard 10 foot by 10 foot booth will include
an 8 foot high background curtain, a 3 foot high side rail
curtain divider on both sides of the booth and a 7 inch by
44 inch identification sign indicating the company name and
booth number. Back booth drapery is white and blue, side dividers
are blue and aisle carpeting is blue. Maximum height for any
part of an in-line exhibit is 8 feet. No display shall extend
outside the paid exhibit space.
Q: What other costs will I incur?
A: In addition to exhibit space fees and travel expenses,
please note the following areas where costs may be incurred.
Carpeting—ASA will carpet all visible aisle space within
the exhibit area. As stated in the exhibit space contract,
ICAST exhibitors are required to provide floor covering for
their exhibit space. Carpet may be brought in by exhibitors or rented
from the general contractor. The carpet must completely cover the total
footage of the exhibit space.
Electrical and Water—Any electrical, water,
and air needs can be supplied by Champion Exposition Services.
A form with different electrical, water, air options and
costs will be provided to you in your Exhibitor Service Manual.
Furniture—Furniture
for your booth may be rented through Champion Exposition
Services. Details regarding description and cost of the furniture
will be provided to you in your Exhibitor Service Manual.
Freight—All freight will be handled by Champion Exposition
Services, freight may be shipped 30 days prior to the show to an advance
shipment warehouse or direct shipment to the show site. Additional information
regarding cost and options will be provided to you in your Exhibitor
Service Manual.
Registration—All exhibitor booth personnel must be badged
for the duration of the show. Badges are NOT included in
the booth fee. Each exhibitor must register for a badge in addition to
submitting the exhibit space contract. The cost per exhibitor badge is
$10 by June 15, 2006. A badge purchased on site for exhibitors is
$30 per badge. Advance registration will be available on-line soon or
on-site near the show entrance.
Membership—Membership dues are determined
by the type of product or services that your company provides,
and dues are determined based on your company’s
annual sales related to the sportfishing industry. For additional information,
contact ASA’s membership department.
Q: Do I have to be a member of the American Sportsfishing Association to exhibit?
A: Yes, ICAST is a trade-only show; all exhibitors
must be current members of the American Sportsfishing Association
in order to exhibit.
Q: How much does it cost to join ASA?
A: Membership dues are determined by the type of product
or services that your company provides, and dues are determined
based on your company’s annual sales related to the sportfishing
industry. For additional information, contact ASA’s membership department.
Q: How do I ship and handle my exhibit freight?
A: Shipping instructions and freight handling information
will be included in the Exhibitor Service Manual. Do
not send advance freight to the Convention Center, they have
no facilities to neither receive nor deliver packages to exhibitors’ booths.
There are no docks at the exhibit area, only freight doors.
All vehicles arriving at the freight doors will be unloaded
and reloaded by union labor. Show Management has developed
a package plan for exhibitors with four booths or less to give
a fixed cost for round trip freight handling to assist exhibitors
with their show budget. More information regarding this
package plan will be available in the Exhibitor Service Manual
(available soon). Exhibitors may hand carry through the
front door anything that one person can carry without the use
of any type of material handling equipment. Airplane
type luggage carts or cases with built-in wheels are allowed.
Q: Is there a manual that gives me shipping information as
well as information about carpet and furniture orders?
A: Yes, Champion Exposition Services will provide
an official Exhibitor Service Manual to all confirmed exhibitors
that are in good standing with ASA (membership dues for current
year paid), approximately 90 days prior to the show. The
manual will contain information regarding carpet, furnishings,
signs, shipping, rates for labor and other services provided
by Champion. The manual will also include order forms
for the above mentioned items as well as audio-visual, electrical,
telephones, security, catering, and floral.
Q: How do I register for badges for the show?
A: All exhibitor booth personnel must be badged for
the duration of the show. Badges are NOT included in
the booth fee. Each exhibitor must register for a badge
in addition to submitting the exhibit space contract. The
cost per exhibitor badge is $10 by June 15, 2006. A
badge purchased on site for exhibitors is $30 per badge. Advanced
registration will be available on-line soon or on-site near
the show entrance.
Q: Are there any networking opportunities at ICAST?
A: ASA recognizes forging new relationships and rekindling
others is an important aspect of ICAST. Several events
have been developed during the show to encourage networking
amongst our attendees.
New Product Showcase Preview Reception (Tuesday evening)
This event is open only to exhibitors with entries in
the New Product Showcase, buyers and media. The Preview
Reception is an opportunity for buyers and new product exhibitors
to mingle and demonstrate the new product features in an
informal setting.
Industry Breakfast (Wednesday morning)
This event kicks off the ICAST show, with welcoming remarks
from the Chairman of ASA’s Board of Directors as well
as the state of the industry from the President and CEO of
ASA. Each year a new keynote speaker brings energy
to the event and to motivate attendees. The Industry
Breakfast is a limited seating event and pre-purchased tickets
are required. Tickets may be purchased with registration.
Chairman’s Awards Reception (Wednesday evening)
Hosted by the Chairman of ASA’s Board of Directors,
Dave Pfeiffer, this reception is open to all attendees. The
event provides an excellent venue for attendees to meet as
well as see which new products have received the award for
being “Best in Show”.
Q: What is the New Product Showcase?
A: The New Product Showcase is an exclusive benefit
to exhibiting companies and is a great place to premiere your
new line or products for the upcoming year. Exhibitors
may enter products at no charge. More information and
entry forms can be obtained from the ICAST
Promo Pak (available soon).
Q: What incentives are in place to attract buyers to ICAST?
A: Buyer Drawings
There are five buyer drawings throughout
the course of the three day show. Prizes range from the grand
prize, a trip to Crocodile Bay Lodge in Costa Rica to several
cash prizes of $500. Only buyers that place orders
at the show are eligible for these drawings, so it is a great
incentive to help exhibitors write orders.
Show-only Specials
Many exhibitors choose to offer
show-only specials to buyers. These
deals range from discounts on merchandise to cash prizes
to trips with a company pro. Last year, more than half
of ICAST exhibitors offered a show-only deal. The American
Sportsfishing Association actively helps to promote those
companies offering show-only specials. More information
and ideas for show-only specials can be found in the ICAST
Promo Pak (available soon).
Q: How can my company be an ICAST sponsor?
A: There are a wide variety of sponsorship opportunities
this year for exhibitors. It is an excellent way to gain
additional exposure for your company. Sponsorship opportunities
start at $300, so there is an opportunity that is affordable
for any ASA member. Information about sponsorship can
be found in the ICAST Promo Pak (available soon) or contact Kelly Camirand.
