Alexandria, VA – June 3, 2013 - This year, the American
Sportfishing Association (ASA) is bringing the world’s largest sportfishing
trade show, theInternational Convention of Allied Sportfishing
Trades, better
known as ICAST, back to Las Vegas. ICAST is being held July 9 -
12, at the
Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. From buyers to media to
exhibitors, ICAST 2013 is expected to host close to 10,000 representatives
from the international sportfishing community who conduct business, network
with industry leaders and see all the latest innovations in gear, apparel and
accessories.
For the
first time, ICAST and the International Fly Tackle Dealer show (IFTD), the fly
tackle-specific show produced by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association
(AFFTA), are co-locating in the North Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center
on the same days and the same show hours. The “all under one roof” marketplace
for fishing is attractive to both the domestic and the international exhibitor
and attendee in terms of travel, number of shows to attend and other aspects of
show exhibiting and attendance. The show will appear seamless since there will
be no partition between ICAST and IFTD and one badge permits access to both
shows
“The
‘world’s largest recreational fishing trade show’ is a sure bet for domestic
and international exhibitors, buyers and media,” said ICAST Trade Show Director
Kenneth Andres. “Throughout its 56-year history, ICAST has encompassed all
aspects of recreational fishing. With the co-location of IFTD, buyers, media
and all members of the global fishing industry can see everything the fishing
industry has to offer.”
ICAST
2013 is the only place where buyers and media can see a wide array ofsportfishing 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 2014 consumer market by voting in the New Product Showcase for the “Best of Show”
product categories and the overall “Best of Show.”
Baseball
Legend Johnny Bench is Our Special Guest Speaker
Johnny Bench, National Baseball Hall of Fame member, is the ICAST 2013 State of
the Industry Breakfast keynote speaker. The breakfast is the annual event that
kicks off the show’s opening and is being held on Wednesday morning, July 10, from 7:30 a.m.
– 8:45 a.m. in
Ballroom N250 in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Tickets are required.
As one of
the most impressive defensive catchers, Bench was also considered to be an
outstanding hitter. A durable catcher, noted for his excellent baseball
intelligence, Bench won 10 Gold Glove Awards, two Most Valuable Player Awards
and the Rookie of the Year Award during his 17-year National League career. A
skilled hitter, the 14-time All-Star selection belted 389 home runs and led the
league in RBIs three times as a leader of the Big Red Machine teams of the
1970s. Bench was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989, the first
year he was eligible.
“We’re
delighted to host Johnny Bench as our keynote speaker during Wednesday morning’s State of the Industry
Breakfast,” said American Sportfishing Association President and CEO Mike
Nussman. “Johnny’s said that he wanted to play major league baseball since he
was four years old. By keeping his eye “on the ball,” he not only achieved his
dream but ultimately became a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His
message of dreaming big and following through on your goals is a great way to
kick off this year’s show.”
Tickets
can be purchased in advance online by using your ICAST/IFTD registration; or by
calling the ICAST/IFTD registration company, Experient, at (301) 694-5243.
New Product Showcase - ICAST's Flagship
Feature
Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, more fishing products are
unveiled during the ICAST New Product Showcase than anywhere else in the world.
The New Product Showcase is the premier venue where established manufacturers
and entrepreneurs alike debut their latest innovations in fishing gear and
accessories. Buyers and Media-Editorial badge holders can evaluate each new
product and vote for the prestigious “Best of Show” awards. Voting occurs
between 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, and 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 10. The
awards are presented during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception, sponsored
by Rapala, being held Wednesday, July 10, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., in Ballroom N250, at the Las
Vegas Convention Center.
ICAST 2013 Business Seminars Conference
In order to meet the business needs of our industry, the ICAST team is evolving
the seminar sessions into a “must attend” business education conference with
sessions presented throughout the trade show. This year’s seminars focus on a
wide-range of topics, with a particular focus on buyers and the retail sector,
but the sessions have a lot of information for all attendees and exhibitors.
The sessions are free to all badged ICAST and IFTD attendees. The sessions are
held during show hours – July 10 – 12, in Room N253, the Las Vegas Convention Center.
ICAST 2013 Show Highlights and Events
In addition to the aisles of amazing gear, apparel and accessories, ICAST is
also host to special events and show floor destinations that should be on
everyone’s “must do” list. These include the New Product Showcase, the State of
the Industry Breakfast and the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception where the
New Product Showcase “Best of Show” awards are presented, the Lure Tank, the
Cyber Lounge and the ASA Resource Center.
A full
list and description of show highlights and events and seminars are posted on
the ICAST website.
ICAST and
IFTD 2013 Show Hours – Las Vegas Convention Center
Tuesday, July 9 – New
Product Showcase Preview Reception (Buyers and Media only) – 5:00 p.m.
– 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 10 - 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 11 - 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, July 12 - 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
For
complete ICAST information, visit ICASTfishing.org. ICAST is a trade-only event and
not open to the public.
|
|
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is
the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the
interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified
voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and
federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy
groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could
significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests
in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous,
as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, 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 throughKeepAmericaFishing™, our
angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $48 billion in retail
sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment
for more than 828,000 people.
Advertising