Fishing on Global Scale

This year, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is bringing the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the International 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.

OutdoorChannel.com will be there, with a crew bringing videos, stories and photos of the latest products, trends and personalities at the event. Stay tuned this week as we hit the floor of the industry only show.

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 of 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 2014 consumer market by voting in the New Product Showcase for the “Best of Show” product categories and the overall “Best of Show.”

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.

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 MVP 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.”

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.

In order to meet the business needs of the 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.

Click here for videos, stories and photos from this year's ICAST.