June 2008 American Sportfishing Association
Member Update
Member Updates are e-mailed monthly to members of the American Sportfishing
Association and our partners on issues of interest to the future of
fishing. For more information, contact ASA
Communications, 703.519.9691.
BELOW IS A LIST OF TOPICS IN THIS UPDATE. Please scroll down
for the complete document. Previous ASA Member Updates are available
in the ASA
Newsroom.
Each month ASA e-mails an update on its Government Affairs activities
called Policy Watch. These documents can be found in the Goernment
Affairs section of ASA’s
Web site.
Board of Directors Election Results
Board of Directors to Meet at ICAST 2008
ICAST 2008 Highlights – What
You Need to Know
Mark Your Calendars for the 2008 Sportfishing Summit
Welcome New and Returning Members
Exclusive ASA Member Benefits
Book Your Space for the 2009 ASA/Eastern
Fishing & Outdoor
Expos
An ASA Staff Farewell
FishAmerica Foundation Updates
Future Fisherman Foundation Updates
Message From ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
Board of Directors Election Results
Six members of the ASA Board of Directors were elected or re-elected
in June. Regional seats went to Jeff Marble, Frabill, Inc., who will
serve the Great Lakes Region; Jay Jolly, Boater’s World Marine
Centers, who will serve the Southeast Region; and Gregg Wollner,
Normark Corporation, who will serve Northern Plains and Inter-Mountain
Region. All three were
re-elected to their seats. At-large seats went to Chip Powell, Mason
Tackle Co. (re-elected); Bruce Stanton, PRADCO Fishing and Peter
Foley, Boone Bait Company. Their terms begin October 1, 2008. The
Board members serve two-year terms. For more information about the
voting process, contact Board Liaison Joyce
Anderson-Logan, x233.
Board of Directors to Meet at ICAST 2008
ASA’s Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, July 15, 2008, from
11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., at the Las Vegas Convention Center, prior
to the opening day of ICAST. For more information, contact Joyce
Anderson-Logan, x233.
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ICAST 2008 Highlights – What You Need to Know
ICAST 2008—July 16-18—is less than two weeks away. Approximately
10,000 attendees are expected in Las Vegas to attend both ICAST and
the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Tradeshow (MAATS). More than 300
media members representing a wide range of media outlets from state
to regional to national have pre-registered to report on the latest
innovations in gear and accessories. Hundreds of new items will be
displayed at the New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase Preview
Reception, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, is scheduled
for Tuesday evening, July 15. Tickets are going fast for the Industry
Breakfast with its focus on the state of the industry and the announcement
of the Top 10 products that transformed the way people fish over the
past 75 years. Plan now to attend the Chairman’s Industry Awards
Reception, sponsored by Plano Molding Company, July 16, to network
with colleagues and friends and to congratulate the recipients of the
New Product Showcase “Best of Show” awards. For all things
ICAST, visit ASA’s
Web site.
ICAST 2008 on the Web
We regularly update the ICAST
section of ASA’s Web site with new information to ensure
that exhibitors and attendees alike have a top-notch experience at
ICAST. Please check the Web site for the latest information.
ICAST 2008 Registration and Badges
Online registration is still available. If you have not yet registered,
please register online now to avoid long lines on site. ICAST badges
were mailed the week of June 23 and 30. Please note that badges for
international exhibitors and attendees will not be mailed and can
be picked up at the advance registration desk located at the Las
Vegas Convention Center on the 2nd floor, West Lobby. Please see
the Show
Schedule for on-site registration hours.
Industry Breakfast – Don’t Miss It
Tickets for the ICAST Industry
Breakfast, Wednesday, July 16, 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. sponsored
by Townsend and Townsend and Crew, are going fast. The Industry
Breakfast is NOT included in your ICAST registration,
so please make sure you purchase a ticket prior to the event at the
registration desk located on second floor, West Lobby, of the Las Vegas
Convention Center. This event will sell out so make
sure you get your tickets now.
Thank You ICAST Sponsors!
The American Sportfishing Association thanks the following companies
for their generous support of ICAST 2008:Gold Sponsors: Fishing
Tackle Retailer, New Product Showcase; Crocodile
Bay Resort, Buyer Raffle Grand Prize; Plano
Molding Company, Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception; Townsend
and Townsend and Crew, Industry Breakfast; and VERSUS,
Cybercafe. Silver Sponsors: In-Fisherman,
Convention Lanyards; FLW Outdoors,
Convention Bags; Fishing
and Hunting News, Magazine Distribution;and Gemini
Sport Marketing, Press Room and staff shirts. Bronze Sponsors: Duncan
McIntosh Company/FishRap, Saltwater Sportsman, Alphatan International
Inc, Pelagic, Inc., Classic Fishing Products, Inc., Native Sun Sports-Get
Reel…Get Fish!, The Habana Co., Glacier Glove, First Light Net
and Fishworks, Inc., Sperry Top-Sider and Center for Coastal Conservation.
ICAST Exhibitors – Dues Payments Required
In order to exhibit at ICAST, you must be an ASA member in good standing
with the current year’s membership dues paid in full. If you
have not done so already, please pay your annual membership dues
immediately. If payment is not received prior to the show, you may
not be permitted to set up your booth. If you have submitted payment,
we truly appreciate your support. For more information, please contact
Membership Director Jill
Calabria, x241.
New Product Showcase Preview Reception
The New
Product Showcase Preview Reception, sponsored by Fishing Tackle
Retailer, Tuesday, July 15, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., Aisle 2400,
offers an exclusive sneak preview of the New Product Showcase prior
to the official show opening. This reception is open to New Product
Showcase exhibitors (one company representative per product category
entered), buyers and individuals with Media-Editorial badges only.
Reelin’ & Dealin’—A Guide to ICAST-only
Specials
Buyers who pre-registered before June 16 should have received their
copy of Reelin’ & Dealin’: A Guide to ICAST-only
Specials in the mail. The guide will also be available to buyers
at Registration during the show.
Anglers’ Legacy Innovations Awards
This year, the American Sportfishing Association celebrates 75 years
of serving the sportfishing industry. To celebrate this momentous
event, ASA asked its members, industry experts and avid anglers to
develop a comprehensive list of the products that have changed the
way people fish over the past 75 years. Working with the Recreational
Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), ASA and RBFF sent a survey
to the foundation’s thousands of Anglers’ Legacy Ambassadors,
the country’s most avid anglers, to vote for the top 10 innovative
sportfishing products. The winners will be announced during this
year’s Industry Breakfast.
Industry Resource Center – New
in 2008!
Stop by the Industry Resource Center to learn about the issues facing
the sportfishing and boating industry. Representatives from ASA, Recreational
Boating and Fishing Foundation and National Marine Manufacturers Association
will be available during show hours to discuss ongoing policy issues
about access to our resources; conservation and habitat restoration;
the state of the industry; efforts to engage more people in fishing
and boating; and more. The Center is located on the show floor adjacent
to the New Product Showcase at Lounge 2446.
ICAST Seminars
ICAST 2008 will feature two
free seminars open to all attendees. One will cover how the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service and state fish and wildlife agencies administer
and use the funds from the federal manufacturers’ excise tax.
The other seminar will cover patent and other intellectual
property protection for fishing tackle and marine products. The
seminars are held in the North Halls, N260.
Foundations’ Showcase
The FishAmerica and Future
Fisherman Foundations’ Showcase has an array of products
from companies who contribute a percentage of their sales to the foundations
through cause-related marketing partnerships. Johanna
Laderman, FishAmerica executive director, will be at ICAST to answer
questions. Future Fisherman staff will be conducting training during
the ICAST timeframe. ASA Vice President Gordon
Robertson will be available to answer questions about Future Fisherman.
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Mark Your Calendars for the 2008 Sportfishing
Summit
ASA invites its members and partners to the 2008 Sportfishing Summit,
October 29–31, at the San
Luis Resort on Galveston Island, Texas. Make sure you attend the
sportfishing industry’s largest networking event. More details
will be available following ICAST. For more information contact Communications
Director, Mary Jane Williamson,
x227.
Welcome New and Returning Members
ASA welcomes the following members who joined ASA or renewed their
memberships as of June 26: American
Eagle Rods, Tulsa, OK; Buzztronics,
Inc., Indianapolis, IN; C.E.
Smith Company Greensboro, NC; Cajun
Line, Tulsa, OK; Cap Tails
Inc., Watertown, SD; Chaeil
Fishing Tackle USA, Inc., Hawthorne, CA; Decal
Connection, Clarksville, TN; Elite
Bass, Inc., Tulsa, OK; EMC-2
Timepieces, Inc., Coral Springs, FL; FIA
Insurance, Inc., Pasadena, CA; Hannibal
Offshore, Laguna Beach, CA; Jieshou Chaoqiang Fishing Tackle
Co., Ltd., Jieshou, People’s Republic of China; Kamakazee
Bait Company, Emmett, ID; Landing
Creek Ventures, Palm City, FL; Lunkerhunt,
Whitby, Ontario, Canada; Nanjing
Majid Light Machinery Co. LTD., Nanjing, People’s Republic
of China; Ocean Sport
Tackle, Flemington, NJ; Quikslide,
Gold Canyon, AZ; Reel Wings Decoy Co., Inc., Fargo, ND; Rose Interests,
Inc, Houston, TX; Secret Lures,
Nashville, IN; SFT Sports, Inc., Los Angeles, CA; The
Fin, Inc., New York, NY; Tennessee
Wildlife Resources Agency, Nashville, TN; Trapper’s
Creek Smoking Company, Inc., Anchorage, AK; Wingman
Lures, Alpharetta, GA and Zacktack,
LLC, Gold Canyon, AZ.
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Exclusive ASA Member Benefits
2008 Member logo now available
ASA invites members to place the ASA member logo with hyperlink
on their Web site. If your company is interested in participating
in this exclusive member benefit, please e-mail joinnow@asafishing.org.
We will send you a Web-appropriate logo file and the logo use guidelines.
Please contact Jill Calabria,
x234 with questions.
Today’s Angler is now available
Today’s Angler is a detailed
report on how America’s nearly 40 million anglers spend over $45 billion
per year on fishing equipment, transportation, lodging and other
expenses with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy.
This report is complimentary to members and $250 for non-members.
ASA encourages members to use the publication as a resource. To order
your complimentary copy, contact Jill
Calabria, x234.
Book Your Space for the ASA Eastern Show’s Today!
The ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo Team is busy making preparations
for the 2009 show season. Now is the time to book exhibit space and
make sure you have a booth for the 2009 shows. These shows sold out
in 2008 and this upcoming year will be no exception. If you want
your business in front of your customers in the Northeast, now is the
time to call and book your space. To sign up for exhibit space,
contact ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor
Expo at 603-431-4315 or e-mail info@sportshows.com for
more information.
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ASA Bids Farewell to Ann Sweeney
Membership Manager Ann Sweeney has left the ASA staff to accept a new
position. Ann worked at ASA for six years serving ASA’s members
and we would like to thank her for her dedication and hard work.
We wish Ann all the best in her new endeavors. If you have questions
please contact Membership Director Jill
Calabria, x234.
FishAmerica Foundation Updates
To help FishAmerica keep our nation’s fish and waters healthy,
visit FishAmerica online at www.fishamerica.org or
contact Executive Director Johanna
Laderman, x245, or Grants Manager Erica
George, x247.
Brunswick Continues Long-time Support of Coastal Habitat
Restoration
The Brunswick Public Foundation has awarded its eighth $20,000 grant
to the FishAmerica Foundation in as many years. The grant will support
six projects to restore marine and anadromous fish habitat in areas
accessible to fishing from boats. The grant is matched with $118,026
from the NOAA Restoration Center and $56,564 from the sportfishing
and boating industries. The combined funds of $194,590 will be matched
with $971,001 in cash and in-kind labor from local organizations.
Foundation’s Cause-related Products Showcased at ICAST
Six companies that support FishAmerica through their cause-related
marketing will be spotlighted in the Foundations’ Showcase
at ICAST 2008. Companies that support FishAmerica include: American
Premier Corporation; Dutch Creek Marketing; Intermedia
Outdoors; Pro Line Manufacturing; Skyhorse
Publishing; Stonehedge Winery;
and ZEBCO Brands. To find out
how you can designate a portion of the proceeds from your products
to FishAmerica, contact Johanna
Laderman, x245.
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Future Fisherman Foundation Updates
For more information on Future Fisherman activities, contact Executive
Director Anne Danielski,
x254, or Manager of Education Teresa
Rodriguez, x224.
First Annual Nation’s River Bass Tournament a Success
In May, foundation staff helped instruct more than 200 Washington,
D.C. students in boating and fishing skills and the environment during
the first annual Nation’s River Bass Tournament at the new
National Harbor near Washington, D.C. Over $40,000 was raised to
help increase the number of hands-on fishing and boating activities
available for underserved students in the area.
Foundation Participates in National Fishing and Boating Week Activity
In June, Foundation staff volunteered during National Fishing and Boating
Week’s Fishing Day at Constitution Gardens, Washington, D.C.’s
annual fishing event for area school children. Hundreds of area fourth,
fifth and sixth graders participated in the event to learn fishing
techniques and skills.
Hundreds of Children Take Part in a Day of Fishing
In June, foundation Manager of Education Teresa Rodriguez joined the
Newport Boys & Girls Club for the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers
Association’s 11th annual “Take a Kid Fishing Day.” The
club is one out of 20 clubs involved in the Department of Justice
partnership using the Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugsprogram to teach
club members basic angling, boating and conservation skills and ethics.
More than 250 kids from local Boys & Girls clubs and other organizations
attended the event.
Equipment Needed for Boys & Girls Club Fishing Tournament
As part of the Department of Justice’s Boys & Girls Club
Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs Initiative, two youth from each of
the 20 participating clubs will have the opportunity to participate
in a youth fishing tournament. The tournament will be held in conjunction
with the Bassmaster Elite Series’ Empire Chase in Buffalo, N.Y.,
July 31- August 3. The Foundation is in need of fishing items including
rod and reel combos, hats, sunglasses, tackle and tackle boxes. If
you are interested in donating equipment or have an interest in supporting
the youth involved in this initiative in other ways, contact Anne
Danielski, x254.
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Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
ICAST 2008 is now less than two weeks away. Pre-registration numbers
are up from last year and with a sold-out show floor, we expect the
show to meet or exceed our exhibitors and attendees expectations.
By co-locating with the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Tradeshow,
ultimately we are expecting close to 10,000 people to attend the
two shows.
It takes the effort of a number of people, from our Board of Directors
to our Show Committee members to our members to our industry partners
to produce ICAST. I want to thank each and every one of you for your
continued support of our efforts. I would be very remiss if I also
didn’t thank the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) staff
for all the hard work they put into producing this event. Putting on
a show like ICAST requires team work and the entire ASA team—members
and staff alike—pull together to produce the industry’s
premier trade show.
This is also a very special year for us. In 2008, ASA is celebrating
75 years of serving the sportfishing industry. From the first Associated
Fishing Tacking Manufacturers (AFTM) to the American Fishing Tackle
Manufacturers Association (AFTMA) to ASA, the industry and the association
have survived numerous economic and social upswings and downturns. From
1933, when the industry first banded together during the Great Depression
to respond to the National Industrial Recovery Act, to World War II
when most manufacturers turned to supporting the war efforts, and then
afterwards when resources were scarce, the association worked to ensure
the needs of the industry were being met.
The association’s records also show that when it comes to our
industry many issues have remained the same. Access to fishing and
abundant resources; increasing participation in the sport; creating
innovative new products to meet the customers’ needs; expanding
business opportunities and keeping watch over policy issues that could
affect the sportfishing industry have been topics of conservation and
debate for seventy-five years.
Since the 1930s, the sportfishing industry’s trade association
has been advocating on behalf of its members. It’s our way of
keeping watch on the existing and potential laws and policies that
significantly affect our members’ businesses and sportfishing
itself. In addition to monitoring emerging policies, our Government
Affairs work involves fostering strong relationships with Members of
Congress, conservation and recreation partners and state and federal
government leaders to make sure sportfishing interests are represented
when policy decisions are made.
ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson and Ocean Resource Policy Director
Patty Doerr will be in the new Industry Resource Center located adjacent
to the New Product Showcase. They will be there to answer your questions
about the most pressing issues facing the industry – summer flounder,
marine protected areas in California, the Gulf of Mexico and the Great
Lakes, trade and excise tax issues and more. Please take the time to
stop by and hear about ASA’s Government Affairs initiatives.
These are interesting times for everyone, not just the sportfishing
industry. As an industry we have weathered serious economic times before
and we will weather this one as well. But if history is any indicator
of the future, I assure you that we are watching out for you. To quote
John Holmes, former AFTM Secretary speaking at a business meeting in
1951, “These are tough times for business and only through cooperative
and united effort can we maintain our position.” I couldn’t
say it any better.
See you in Las Vegas.
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