For Immediate Release
Mary Jane Williamson,
Communications Director
703-519-9691, x227
www.asafishing.org
2012 Sportfishing
Summit Brings Industry Leaders Together
Recreational fishing is up 11 percent which bodes well for the
industry
Alexandria, VA - October 16, 2012 – From
October 9-11, the American Sportfishing Association
(ASA) hosted the 2012 Sportfishing Summit in Hilton Head, S.C., where industry
leaders and guests representing more than 100 companies and organizations from
the United States and Canada met to discuss the issues impacting recreational
fishing during committee meetings, networking events, general sessions and the
board of directors meetings.
The
2012 Sportfishing Summit program focused on interpreting the new data from the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and
Wildlife-Associated Recreation; our nation’s changing demographics; how the
Millennial Generation views the outdoors and uses digital technology to enhance
their experiences in the outdoors; an overview of the current state of our economy
as we head into the presidential elections; the “why” and “how” of social
media; an update from the Recreational
Boating & Fishing Foundation regarding new programs and projects
they are launching to build on the increase in fishing participation; a status
update on marine fisheries from the federal perspective; an overview of the
association’s new benefits, exclusive to ASA members; and an update on KeepAmericaFishing™.
“From
general sessions to association committee and board meetings, the 2012
Sportfishing Summit provided a wide-range of business, information and
networking opportunities for our members,” said Rapala’s
Executive Vice President and ASA’s board of directors Chairman Gregg Wollner. “I’m proud to say that the 2012 Summit was one of
the well-attended annual meeting’s that ASA has hosted.”
“This
is due in large part to a combination of things,” Wollner
noted. “The association is on solid financial footing; our trade show continues
to grow in both attendance and reputation; recreational fishing is up 11
percent according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s new survey; and the
growing popularity and impact of KeepAmericaFishing™,
our angler advocacy campaign, is getting a lot people to sit up and take
notice. These conditions, combined with the efforts of all the association’s
members, are helping to ensure our industry’s future and that of the sport that
we, and millions of Americans, call our number one pastime.”
During
the annual General Membership Meeting, Wollner
recognized Frabill’s CEO and ASA’s Immediate Past
Chairman, Jeff Marble, for his guidance over the past two years to help bring
the association to this point.
“The
Sportfishing Summit, our annual membership meeting, is one of the most
important events for the industry and the entire sportfishing community,” said
ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “The Summit is
where our members set aside their own business interests and, collectively,
‘put their shoulders to the wheel’ to work towards a healthy industry and
healthy fisheries resources.”
Nussman further noted, “The new U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service survey results show an 11 percent increase in fishing
participation. The industry is proud of the role it’s played in ensuring an
enjoyable outdoor experience with advances in fishing technology and products
as well as driving the establishment of the Recreational Boating & Fishing
Foundation which is having an impact on increasing participation."
“In
addition,” said Nussman, “in 2013, we have an
agreement with the American Fly Fishing Trade Association to co-locate their
industry trade show, IFTD, with our industry trade show, ICAST, at the Las
Vegas Convention Center, scheduled for July 10 -12. We have a lot to
celebrate.”
Board of Directors Elects Executive Committee
During the Summit, the board of directors elected a new Executive Committee.
The members are: Gregg Wollner, chairman; Jeff
Marble, immediate past chairman, CEO, Frabills, Inc.;
Dave Bulthuis, vice chairman, Vice President, Sales,
Costa; Scott Frnka, secretary, Vice President of
Merchandising, General Outdoors Division, Cabela’s; Peter Foley, treasurer,
President, Boone Bait Company; and Dave Pfeiffer, president, Shimano American
Corporation.
The
board also elected John Doerr, president, Pure
Fishing; Ken Hammond, CEO, The Hammond Group; and K. C. Walsh, president, Simms
Fishing Products, as ex-officio members.
The
other members of the Board of Directors are: Thom Dammrich,
president, National Marine Manufacturers Association; Kirk Immens,
president, Sportco Marketing, Inc.; Martin MacDonald,
director of Conservation, Bass Pro Shops; Chris Megan, publisher, On the Water,
LLC; Dick Pool, president, Pro-Troll Fishing Products; Donn
Schaible, president, Wright & McGill, Company;
Paul Schluter, president, St. Croix Rods; Aledia Hunt Tush, president, CB’s
Saltwater Outfitters; Nick Wiley, executive director, Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission; and Gary Zurn, senior vice
president, Marketing, Big Rock Sports, LLC.
2012 Sportfishing Summit Sponsors
The American Sportfishing Association would like to thank these companies and
organizations for their generous support of the 2012 Sportfishing Summit: Gold: Allcoast Media;
Bass Pro Shops; Cabela’s; NOAA’s National
Marine Fisheries Service; and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service; Silver: USDA-Forest Service; Take Me Fishing; and 75 Years of Wildlife and Sportfish
Restoration; Bronze: Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies;
Maui Jim; and Southwick Associates.
The 2013 Sportfishing
Summit is scheduled for October 16-18, at the Sanibel Harbour
Marriot Resort & Spa, just outside Fort Myers, Fla.
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