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ICAST 2009 Sets Records
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