2004 Sportfishing Summit
Advancing an Angling Agenda
2005
Industry Outlook
Ed Dinkins, Bass Pro Shops, Jeff Marble, Frabill, Inc. and Bart Hall,
ASA/Fred Hall & Associates, provided their insights into 2005 from
the retail, manufacturing and consumer shows perspectives.
Bart Hall, ASA/Fred Hall & Associates
ASA/Fred Hall & Associates produce the largest fishing tackle & boat
shows in the western United States. Bart Hall, son of founder Fred Hall,
framed the importance of consumer shows in the context of a “celebration.” According
to Hall, consumer shows are a way for angling enthusiasts to assemble
to celebrate and promote recreational sportfishing. He also said that
these venues provide an opportunity to discuss advocacy issues important
to the angling community. It’s key that during 2005 and beyond “we
recognize the need to protect and promote the worthiness of fishing.”
Ed Dinkins, Bass Pro
According to Ed Dinkins, vice president/merchandise
manager, Bass Pro Shops, is confident about going into the spring of
2005. According to Dinkins, he enjoys going out to the stores and meeting
with staff and customers, however, what he enjoys the most is watching
the children. He explained how important it is to maintain the “kidlike” passion
for fishing and it’s this passion for fishing and for the out-of-doors
that drives Bass Pro. Dinkins said that what drives business are innovation
and marketing but its quality and service that keeps people coming back
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Jeff Marble, chief executive officer, Frabill, Inc.,
provided his insights into the year ahead during the 2005 Industry Outlook panel discussion. |
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Jeff Marble, Frabill, Inc.
Jeff Marble, chief executive officer
of Frabill, Inc., located in Wis., provided the Summit attendees with
a very different—and personal—overview
of the industry. About 15 years ago, Marble considered closing his flagging
business, but decided he wasn’t quite ready to let it go. He took
his business apart, divesting it of several lines of goods, focused on
the tackle business and developed a strategic business plan with the
creation of satisfied customers as the prime objective. In 2004, he believes
he has succeeded. He sees customers as wanting better, faster and cheaper
and he says that everyone needs to understand and work with that. He
believes that innovation is key—new products, new marketing—however,
the only way to differentiate a business from competitors is to elevate
customer service to the highest levels in every sector of ones business.
