Alexandria, VA- From exhibitors to buyers to outdoor media, a record crowd of nearly 7,400 representatives from the global sportfishing community converged on the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., July 15 - 17, for the world's largest sportfishing trade show. The International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), produced by the American Sportfishing Association, represents the cornerstone of the sportfishing industry, driving sportfishing companies' product sales year round and is the showcase for the latest innovations in gear and accessories.

"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 ASA 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."

ICAST 2009 featured 396 exhibitors filling 1,200 booths. With a 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 andOutdoor Identities; Bronze - Classic Fishing Products, Inc., FishGillz, Gill North America, Glowspek Industries, Inc. and Tuscaroran Pro-Lures.

New Product Showcase Best of Show Winners
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."
This year, the Hobie Cat Mirage Pro Angler, both a boat and a kayak, was voted by buyers and media as the most innovative product in the ICAST 2009 New Product Showcase in both the Marine category and the overall "Best of Show."

2009 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners
For product details, images and other information please contact the individual award recipients listed below.

Overall Best of Show and Marine Category - Hobie Cat - Hobie Mirage Pro Angler
Contact: Vince Console: 760-758-9100 x230; vconsole@hobiecat.com

Apparel - Cablz, Inc. - Cablz
Contact: Holly Williams: 205-222-4477; holly@cablzeyewear.com

Combo - Pure Fishing - Pflueger Arbor Combo
Contact: Ron Giudice, Blue Heron Communications - cell: 405-740-2740, office:
405-364-3433; ron@blueheroncomm.com
Andrew Wheeler, Project Manager - 803 451 3245

Electronics - Lowrance-Navico - Lowrance HDS-10
Contact: Gordon Sprouse - 918-607-6670; gordon.sprouse@navico.com

Eyewear - Costa Del Mar Sunglasses - Zane
Contact: Dave Bulthuis - 561-866-0972, 800-447-3700 x114;
dbulthuis@costadelmar.com

Fishing Accessory - Durasafe - Codeable Locks
Contact: Cathy Kraatz - 262-544-5615; ckraatz@durasafe-usa.com

Giftware - Master Vision - Mini Lantern
Contact: Gary G. Goerke - 715-493-6749; ggoerke@mastervisionlight.com
Eli McCabe - 715-216-2443; emccabe@mastervisionlight.com

Kids Tackle - Ross Reels USA/Ross Worldwide Outdoors - Journey Youth Fly
Fishing Outfit
Contact: Brad Befus - 970-596-3050; bradbefus@rossreels.com

Line - Pure Fishing - Berkley Trilene TransOptic
Contact: Ron Giudice, Blue Heron Communications - cell: 405-740-2740, office:
405-364-3433; ron@blueheroncomm.com
Clay Norris - cell: 405-740-2740, office: 405-364-3433, product manager

Soft Lure - Sebile USA - Magic Swimmer Soft Pro Model
Contact - Cystal Dollahon, Dollahon PR - cell: 918-607-3655, office: 918-894-4455;
crystal@dollahonpr.com

Hard Lure - Sebile USA - Spin Shad
Contact: Cystal Dollahon, Dollahon PR - cell: 918-607-3655, office: 918-894-4455;
crystal@dollahonpr.com

Freshwater Reel - Shimano American Corporation - Stradic CI4
Contact: John Mazurkiewicz, Catalyst Marketing - 574-289-1331;
jpmazurk@ameritech.net

Saltwater Reel - Daiwa - Saltist Lever Drag
Contact: Terry Pederson - 562-802-9589; terryp@daiwa.com

Freshwater Rod - USA Custom Rods - Camo Stix
Contact: Dennis Ball - 832-665-1854; usacustomrods@aol.com;
camofishingrods@gmail.com

Saltwater Rod - G. Loomis - Pro Green 882S
Contact: John Mazurkiewicz, Catalyst Marketing - 574-289-1331;
jpmazurk@ameritech.net

Tackle Management - Plano Molding Company - Liqua-Bait Locker System
Contact: Douglass Riewski - 630-552-9448; driewski@planomolding.com

Terminal Tackle - Better Bait Systems - Circle Hook Rig
Contact: Charles Fricke - 305-481-0849; betterbaitsys@yahoo.com

ICAST was co-located with the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS), produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), jointly allowing more than 10,000 attendees to walk both show floors.
In 2010, ICAST will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, from July 14-16, 2010. ICAST 2011 will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 13-15, 2011.

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The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also represents the interests of America's 60 million anglers who generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for over one million people.

Contact:
Mary Jane Williamson (703) 519-9691 x227 or mjwilliamson@asafishing.org