The world’s largest sportfishing trade show is heading back to east, and Outdoor Channel will be there, bringing the latest and greatest from the fishing world via videos, articles and photos.
ICAST, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, runs July 11-13 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. ICAST is produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the sportfishing industry’s trade association, which looks out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community.
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. The event is not open to the public.
Check out the photo gallery:
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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 with KeepAmericaFishing™; 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,” ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman said. “To everyone’s satisfaction, ICAST 2009 was a great show with excellent attendance by buyers and media. Bringing the show to Florida, the No. 1 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.”
Outdoor Channel, which is one of the gold sponsors of ICAST, has a crew heading to Orlando. Mark Davis of Penn’s Big Water Adventure will be on the floor providing video updates. There also will be new product photo galleries and articles on industry trends and news. Stay tuned this week.
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Coach Knight to speak
During the annual State of the Industry Breakfast that kicks off the show’s opening on Wednesday morning, one of men’s basketball’s most colorful personalities, Coach Bobby Knight, is this year’s guest keynote speaker.
Knight was one of college basketball's most successful and innovative coaches, having won 902 NCAA Division I men’s basketball games. Knight remains "the object of near fanatical devotion" from his former players and Indiana University fans. Knight is also a studio analyst for ESPN during Championship Week and for coverage of the NCAA Tournament.
“This year, we’re delighted to host Coach Knight as our keynote speaker during Wednesday morning’s State of the Industry Breakfast,” Nussman said. “There is no better way to jump start the world’s largest sportfishing trade show than with a rousing message of teamwork and team spirit – Coach Knight style.”
Knight joins Nussman and Jeff Marble, CEO, Frabill, Inc. and ASA’s Board of Directors chairman, who will outline the state of the sportfishing industry.
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.
New ICAST App
ICAST and Outdoor Channel have partnered with the You Are Here system on a mobile app and show floor kiosks that make it easy for buyers and media to locate and connect with exhibitors. According to ICAST Director Kenneth Andres this new exhibitor locator makes it easy to plan a day’s activities or quickly make it to a show floor meeting on time. “This is a great way to navigate the show floor which using smart phone technology which is literally in almost everyone’s hands,” Andres said
For complete ICAST information, visit ICASTfishing.org. ICAST is a trade-only event and not open to the public.
