The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), in response to an announcement made by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association's (AFFTA) that its Board of Directors is considering multiple options for a 2010 fly fishing industry trade show, invited AFFTA members, fly fishing retailers and the entire fly fishing industry to attend ICAST 2010 (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) being held this coming July in Las Vegas.
As reported, the Fly Fishing Retailer is closing down. Nielsen Sports has invited all participants of the Fly Fishing Retailer show to attend the Summer 2010 Outdoor Retailer show at the
“This is a challenging time for everyone in the sportfishing industry,” said ASA Board of Directors Chairman Jeff Pontius, president, ZEBCO Brands. “Acknowledging that fly fishing tackle manufacturers have already set their budgets, in 2010, ASA's Board of Directors is offering to honor AFFTA's discounted member exhibitor booth fees and membership in either AFFTA or ASA as a way to help manufacturers who have exhibited at the Fly Fishing Retailer show in recent years.”
Pontius further said, “ICAST is the world's largest sportfishing tradeshow where industry members from around the globe meet to see the very latest in sportfishing gear and accessories. This year we invite the entire fly fishing industry be part of the experience.”
ICAST 2010 will be held July 14-16, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. ICAST 2009, held this past July in Orlando, Fla., featured 396 exhibitors filling 1,200 booths. 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.
“ICAST 2010 already offers a large fly casting pond providing exhibitors with a place to demonstrate their rods, reels and lines to potential buyers,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “Our Show Committee is also considering creating a special pavilion located adjacent to the casting pond to further assist exhibitors whose focus is fly fishing tackle, gear and accessories.”
Nussman further said, “In addition, our ICAST team will make every effort to ensure that fly tackle buyers will be at the show.”
In 2009, the 52nd year of ICAST, the New Product Showcase, the tradeshow's flagship event, was more competitive than ever with 208 exhibiting companies entering 600 tackle products and accessories into the Showcase. Ross Reels USA won the New Product Showcase 'Best in Show' in the Kid's Tackle category for their youth fly fishing outfit.
According to Maria del Valle Hamilton, ICAST director, ASA will look at the ICAST housing block to determine how best to accommodate the fly fishing community. Hamilton said, “We have some flexibility in how we manage our hotel block therefore if interest is high, we can make arrangements to ensure fly fishing exhibitors and attendees will be able to network as they are accustomed to doing during previous shows.”
“We have always had a strong presence from a number of fly fishing tackle manufacturers in both the association's leadership and exhibiting at ICAST,” said Nussman. “ASA is committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. I believe the Board of Directors decision to acknowledge these tough economic times and provide an option for AFFTA members speaks to our commitment to the industry.”
