The International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) drew a record 7,400 representatives from the global sportfishing community to its event in Orlando, Fla., July 15 – 17.

“Florida is the epicenter of sportfishing in the United States, and quite possibly the world. The tradeshow’s Florida location made it relatively easy for retail business owners and media representatives from the Southeastern U.S. as well as industry leaders from Europe and South America to attend the show, something they may not have been able to do in recent years,” said American Sportfishing Association president and CEO Mike Nussman. “There is nowhere like ICAST where the global sportfishing industry can come together to see the very latest in gear and accessories and network with colleagues and friends. In this economy, people know they need to be smart about doing business. I’m gratified that attending ICAST was high on everyone’s list making this one of the most attended shows in over ten years.”

CAST 2009 featured 396 exhibitors filling 1,200 booths. With a particularly strong attendance from Florida and the Southeast, more than 2,300 buyers and more than 525 media representatives attended the show. International ICAST attendance continues to increase with more than 700 attendees from 63 countries represented at the show.

Nussman further said, “On behalf of ASA’s Board of Directors and the ASA staff, I want to thank our member exhibitors, sponsors, buyers, media, manufacturers’ representatives and everyone who participated in this year’s show and helped make it such a success. I look forward to seeing everyone next year for ICAST 2010 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.”

Sponsoring ICAST 2009 were: Gold – ESPN Outdoor/BASS, Crocodile Bay, VERSUS and ZEBCO Brands; Silver – Fetha Styx, Gemini Sport Marketing, In-Fisherman, Northwest Sportsman Magazine and Outdoor Identities; Bronze – Classic Fishing Products, Inc., FishGillz, Gill North America, Glowspek Industries, Inc. and Tuscaroran Pro-Lures.

Making up a special section of ICAST’s 400,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase provides special visibility for the industry’s latest innovations in gear and accessories. In 2009, 208 companies entered 600 of the industry’s newest innovations in gear and accessories in the New Product Showcase, ICAST’s flagship feature. All the products in the New Product Showcase are entered into the “Best of Show” competition where buyers and credentialed media judged each product based on its level of innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality to select “Best of Show” honors in 17 categories, as well as the overall “Best of Show” winner.

“We extend a big thank you to everyone who helped make the ICAST 2009 New Product Showcase ‘Best of Show’ award possible,” said Dan Mangus, director of Marketing, Hobie Cat Company. “Our team is very proud and honored to receive this recognition which provides anglers a new way to fish and enjoy their sport.”