Johnson Outdoors Inc. and its Minn Kota Ultrex were voted by buyers and media as the best product in both the Boat Accessories category and the overall “Best of Show at the ICAST show in Orlando, marking the second time in three years one of the company’s brands has won the overall “Best in Show” award.
In 2014, Old Town PredatorXL, a fishing watercraft powered by a Minn Kota motor console with electric trolling power and hands-free navigation won both the overall Best of Show and Best of Show for the Boats category.
The 59th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, began July 12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. and runs through Friday, July 15.
Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), ICAST is the annual destination for the global recreational fishing industry. Nearly 15,000 industry representatives from the global sportfishing industry are in Orlando to see the latest innovations in gear, accessories and apparel.
The single most important feature for ICAST exhibitors and attendees alike is the New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, embodies the sportfishing industry’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and rewards that ingenuity through the “Best of Show” new product awards competition.
This year, more than 1,000 tackle products and accessories were entered by more than 240 companies into 24 “Best of Show” categories in the New Product Showcase, all vying for the overall ICAST 2016 “Best of Show” award.
Making up a special section of the 650,000 gross square foot show floor, the ICAST New Product Showcase provides special visibility for the industry’s latest innovations in gear, apparel and accessories.
Best of Show Awards
This year, first time exhibitors Cobra Garage Door Storage won “Best of Show” in Tackle Management; Squidnation won “Best of Show” for Soft Lure; and Trapper Tackle won “Best of Show” in Terminal Tackle.
“I congratulate all of the winners and everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase. The creativity and ingenuity that exists within our member companies adds excitement and discovery to the adventure of fishing,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “I also thank Fishing Tackle Retailer for their sponsorship of this important event.”
“This year we saw a ground swell of new products being entered into the New Product Showcase which bodes well for the 2016 and 2017 fishing seasons,” said Trade Show Director Kenneth Andres.
The ICAST 2016 “Best of Show” winners were honored during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception at the Orange County Convention Center Wednesday, July 13.
Photo courtesy Minn Kota
