Watch for our fishing the Americas "Excellence in Outfitting" reports from the floor on the FTA Blog, Facebook and Twitter throughout the show.
In two short weeks, the global sportfishing industry will head to Las Vegas for the 53rd International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades. Better known as ICAST, the industry trade show will once again be the center of the sportfishing world from July 14-16, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The ICAST 2010 show floor will once again be full with over 400 exhibitors occupying more than 400,000 square feet of the convention center.
Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the sportfishing industry's trade association, ICAST annually brings more than 7,000 members of the global sportfishing industry together helping to drive sportfishing companies' product sales year round. ICAST is also one of the association's most recognized member services providing a once-a-year business opportunity for the global sportfishing industry. It's an opportunity for members of the sportfishing industry to meet and develop relationships with manufacturers, media, state and federal agency leaders and ASA staff and members.
"ICAST is the place where the sportfishing industry comes together to do business. It's a powerful venue for exhibitors and attendees alike," said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. "We are very excited about the way the show is shaping up. I'm happy to report that booth sales and registration are tracking ahead of last year at this time. With the show floor maxed out, our ICAST team is pushing hard in every aspect of the show planning to ensure that exhibitors and attendees alike have the best experience possible. ICAST 2009, held in Orlando, Fla. for the first time in 10 years, was rated an outstanding success by both exhibitors and attendees. Our goal is to ensure that 2010 is even better."
Nearly 7,400 people representing 63 countries attended ICAST 2009 which spanned 400,000 square feet of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
"Our exhibitor and attendee registration numbers have proven that ICAST is the place to be for the sportfishing industry," Nussman said. "There is no place like ICAST to conduct business and we look forward to ICAST 2010 continuing this great tradition."
ICAST is the only place where buyers and media can: see sportfishing manufacturers' entire product lines; save money and time by taking advantage of ICAST-only product specials offered by over 100 exhibitors; attend business-related seminars ; network with a veritable "who's who" in the sportfishing industry; and help shape the future consumer market by voting for the "Best of Show" awards in 17 product categories, as well as the coveted overall "Best of Show" award in the New Product Showcase.
There is no doubt that the single most important feature for exhibitors and attendees is the New Product Showcase, ICAST's flagship feature. The Showcase offers exhibitors, buyers and media representatives a special opportunity to debut and preview hundreds of the next season's innovations in fishing gear and accessories. Buyers and credentialed media will evaluate each new product and vote for them based on their innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality. The New Product Showcase winners will be announced during the Chairman's Industry Awards Reception on Wednesday evening, July 14. This year, the Showcase voting hours, which begins Tuesday, July 13 at 5;30 p.m. during the Showcase preview reception, have been extended to 3:00 p.m., on July 14.
Fishing the Americas Media Editorial will be at the New Products Showcase and reporting to you throughout ICAST from the floor. Watch for our "Excellence in Outfitting" updates on the FTA Blog, Facebook and Twitter.
