The World’s Largest Fishing Trade Show Once Again Lives Up to Its Reputation

Las Vegas Convention Center – July 12, 2013 – From every corner of the globe, exhibitors, buyers and media converged on the Las Vegas Convention Center for the world’s largest recreational fishing trade show. Held July 9-12, the 56th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), is the annual trade event that helps drive the global sportfishing industry and is the showcase for the latest innovations in gear, accessories and apparel.

Approximately 9,500 representatives from the global fishing industry were in attendance including thousands of buyers who came to check out the gear, accessories and apparel on display. In addition, more than 700 media representatives were in attendance to cover the show.

“The energy and excitement generated during this year’s show was felt by everyone,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “ICAST is our industry trade show. It’s very important to us that we create the show that the industry wants. The decision by the boards of directors of ASA and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association to co-locate ICAST and the International Fly Tackle Dealer show (IFTD) is a reflection of that. Our commitment to our member exhibitors, media and all show attendees is to listen and improve the trade show in any and every way we can.”

“In 2014 we’re taking the trade show to Orlando, Fla. where we will once again co-locate with IFTD,” said ASA Board of Directors Chairman Gregg Wollner, executive vice president of Rapala. “We expect to see continued growth in attendance, particularly in the international and marine markets. Business-wise – it’s a good investment for us.”

Trade Show Director Ken Andres echoed everyone’s comments. “We saw great attendance this year with lots of product on display on the show floor. Our aim is to continually enhance the show for the benefit of our exhibitors, buyers, media and other attendees.”

Andres further noted, “What really caught my eye this year was how everyone was embracing media to talk about the show. From Facebook to Twitter to company and media websites to personal and media blogs, information, images and video about the show were everywhere. That only helps to set the stage, and the anticipation level, for ICAST 2014 being held July 15-18, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. In fact, I encourage everyone to check out the video show highlights on ICASTfishing.”

KeepAmericaFishing, the industry’s angler advocacy campaign, reached a new milestone with the announcement that one million advocates are now on board to ensure recreational fishing’s voice is heard when policy decisions are made that impact our industry.

“KeepAmericaFishing has seen tremendous growth over the past year and anglers are having a positive impact on issues that affect their ability to enjoy a day on the water,” said ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson.

Robertson further said, “During ICAST we announced a new KeepAmericaFishing membership campaign for anglers who want to become even more involved in helping to ensure our fishing heritage. In fact, baseball legend Johnny Bench, our State of the Industry Breakfast’s keynote speaker, is now a charter member of KeepAmericaFishing. During his breakfast remarks he encouraged everyone in the industry to step up their commitment and become a KeepAmericaFishing member. We can’t thank him enough for his support.”

The New Product Showcase “Best of Show” Awards
Making up a special section of the 400,000-square-foot show floor, the ICAST New Product Showcase provides unique visibility for the latest innovations in sportfishing gear and accessories. The submitted products compete in the “Best of Show” competition where buyers and media members judge each new product.

This year the JL Marine Systems’ Power-Pole Micro Anchor was voted by buyers and media as the best product in both the Boating Accessory category and the overall “Best of Show.”

The ICAST 2013 “Best of Show” awards were presented on Wednesday, July 10, during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception, sponsored by Rapala, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. As a special treat, National Baseball Hall of Fame member Johnny Bench, this year’s State of the Industry Breakfast keynote speaker, presented the awards.

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways throughKeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.