ICAST 2012 Returns to Orlando, Florida
This year, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is bringing the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, back to the East Coast.
The FTA Team Returns to Orlando in 2012
ICAST will be held July 11-13, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. From buyers to media to exhibitors, ICAST annually attracts more than 7,000 representatives from the international sportfishing community to conduct business, network with industry leaders and see all the latest innovations in gear, apparel and accessories.
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; attend business-related seminars;network with industry leaders and entrepreneurs; learn about sportfishing’s future withKeepAmericaFishing™; and help shape the 2013 consumer market by voting in the New Product Showcase for the “Best of Show” awards in 21 product categories and the overall “Best of Show.”
“The last time we were in Orlando for ICAST was 2009. At that time, the U.S. economy was being hit by one of the worst recessions in many, many years,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “To everyone’s satisfaction, ICAST 2009 was a great show with excellent attendance by buyers and media. Bringing the show to Florida, the number one fishing state in the country, and within driving distance for many industry folks in the Southeast region, turned out to be an excellent decision. We’re working hard to ensure that exhibitors and attendees alike have a great trade show experience in 2012.”
The New Product Showcase “Best of Show” Awards
There is no doubt that the single most important feature for exhibitors and attendees is the New Product Showcase, which is ICAST’s flagship feature. The New Product Showcase, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, provides buyers and media representatives a special opportunity to preview hundreds of next season’s innovations in fishing gear, apparel, accessories and boats debuted by ICAST 2012 exhibitors.
Buyers and credentialed media will evaluate each new product and vote for the “Best of Show” in 21 categories and the overall “Best of Show.” The winners will be announced during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception, sponsored by Frabill, Inc., on Wednesday, July 11, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., in the convention center, Hall B, Third Floor, Room W311. All badged ICAST attendees and exhibitors are welcome to attend.
ICAST 2012 Sponsors
ASA would like to thank its generous members who have already signed on as ICAST sponsors. Our ICAST 2012 sponsors are: Gold sponsors -Crocodile Bay Resort; Fishing Tackle Retailer; Frabill, Inc.; NBC Sports Network; Outdoor Channel; Take Me Fishing™; and WFN: World Fishing Network. Silver sponsors – Dave Mercer’s Facts of Fishing; Gemini Sport Marketing; In-Fisherman; Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corp.; North American Fisherman; and Simms. Bronze sponsors - Bass Minder; Classic Fishing Products; and Columbia. This list is current as of May 31, 2012.
###
Read the full press release HERE
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring 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 through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate more than $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for more than one million people.
