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Show Highlights & Special Events

All events take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center unless noted otherwise

ICAST 2008 Show Highlights

Anglers’ Legacy Innovations Awards Display
Lounge 1142

This year, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) celebrates 75 years of serving the sportfishing industry. To celebrate this momentous event, ASA developed 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 this list via a survey to the foundation’s thousands of Anglers’ Legacy Ambassadors, the country’s most avid anglers, who voted for the top 10 innovative sportfishing products. The winners will be announced during this year’s Industry Breakfast. Stop by Lounge 1142 to see the winning products.

Industry Resource Center
Open during show hours
Adjacent to the New Product Showcase
Lounge 2446

Two critical issues facing the sportfishing industry today are participation and access. At ICAST 2008, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) have joined forces on the show floor to answer all your questions about these two critical issues.

All three groups 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 how all this affects the industry’s bottom line! The Center is located on the show floor adjacent to the New Product Showcase in Lounge 2446.

Don’t be left standing on the dock – stop by the Industry Resource Center.

ICAST and MAATS Together Again

ICAST co-locates with the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS), produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). The combination of these two shows will provide access to more of the industry’s hottest products and companies. An ICAST badge allows access to both the ICAST and MAATS trade show floor.

Buyer Raffles
Grand prize trip sponsored by Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica

Each time a buyer writes an order with an exhibitor, he or she is eligible to enter their names in the ICAST Buyer Raffle. Raffle entry forms will be provided to exhibitors before the show opens. All buyers need to do is complete the form when an order is written, have the exhibitor sign it and then drop the form in one of the designated bins to be entered.

Cash prizes are awarded as well as the grand prize of a trip for two to Crocodile Bay Lodge in Costa Rica. Drawings will be held Wednesday and Thursday at noon and 5:00 p.m. and Friday at noon and 3:00 p.m. Names of daily winners will be posted in the ASA booth. 

ICAST 2008 Show Events

Industry Breakfast

Wednesday, July 16   •   7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m.

Tickets required. Order tickets or a table when you register. Sponsored by Townsend and Townsend and Crew Just before the show floor opens on July 16, the Industry Breakfast will feature ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman’s State of the Industry message followed by remarks from Frank Peterson, president and CEO, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Peterson will discuss the accomplishments that have been made to help increase fishing and boating, including the redesigned Take Me Fishing campaign and the success of the Anglers’ Legacy program. Randy Lemcke, vice president, Plano Molding Company and ASA’s Board of Directors chairman, will open the breakfast with welcoming remarks. To commemorate ASA’s 75th anniversary, the Anglers’ Legacy Innovations Awards, voted the top 10 innovative sportfishing products over the past 75 years by avid anglers across the nation, will be announced at the Industry Breakfast. This is a “do not miss” event. The Industry Breakfast is NOT included in your ICAST registration, so please make sure you purchase a ticket when you register for ICAST. This event will sell out so make sure you get your ticket now. Top

New Product Showcase Preview Reception

Tuesday, July 15   •   5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Aisle 2400

Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer Buyers and attendees with a Media-Editorial badge are invited to this special reception to learn about all the latest innovations in fishing gear and accessories. The reception offers an exclusive sneak preview of the New Product Showcase, the flagship feature of ICAST, prior to the official show opening. This is the best chance to learn about the latest items directly from product designers and other company experts. This is especially valuable when it comes to new product offerings from small companies and entrepreneurs, who may not have enough staff to support both their booth and the New Product Showcase during the show. This reception is open to New Product Showcase exhibitors, buyers and credentialed Media-Editorial attendees only. Top

New Product Showcase

Aisle 2400

Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer There is no doubt that the single most important feature for exhibitors and attendees is the New Product Showcase, ICAST’s flagship feature. The Showcase offers exhibitors, buyers and members of the media a special opportunity to debut and preview hundreds of the next season’s innovations in fishing gear and accessories. This is where the tackle industry debuts its latest innovations and recognizes the “best of the best.” Buyers can take this opportunity to be first in line for product orders. For exhibitors, entering products in this exclusive competition for “Best of Show” honors can significantly boost sales and publicity year round.        Beginning at the New Product Showcase Preview Reception and ending at 1:00 p.m. on July 16, buyers and members of the media will evaluate each new product and vote for them based on their innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality. There are 17 categories along with the overall “Best of Show.” Just by voting, an individual is automatically entered into a drawing for up to $3,000 in cash. Top

Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception

Wednesday, July 16   •   6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Las Vegas Hilton – Ballrooms B & C

Sponsored by Plano Molding Company Randy Lemcke, vice president, Plano Molding Company and Chairman of ASA’s Board of Directors, will host our annual reception welcoming ICAST attendees and celebrating the show’s opening day. During the reception, Lemcke and ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman will announce the New Product Showcase "Best of Show" award recipients and announce the Showcase raffle winner. Top

Cyber Lounge

Open during show hours. Booth 1801. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Halls

Sponsored by VERSUS The Cyber Lounge serves as ICAST’s business center. This hotspot is prominently featured on the show floor and is the place where exhibitors and buyers communicate with their home offices directly from the show. In today’s electronic world, the Cyber Lounge offers attendees a place to keep in touch, allowing them to virtually be in two places at once. Top

ICAST 2008 Seminars

The ICAST seminars are sponsored by ASA. All ICAST seminars are free to ICAST attendees. All seminars will be held in Room N260. Seminars are subject to change.

Your Federal Manufacturers’ Excise Tax Dollars – Where Do They Go? Presented by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Wednesday, July 16 • 11:00 am–Noon Thursday, July 17 • 2:00 pm–3:00 pm (repeat) Paying the federal manufacturers’ excise tax on fishing gear is part of doing business for every manufacturer. But how are those dollars used? During this session, representatives from state fish and wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will explain how funds from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund are used for fisheries access and conservation. Knocking Out Knock-Offs: Patent and Other IP Protection for Fishing Tackle and Marine Products Presented by Marc Gorelnik, trademark and copyright lawyer, and Richard Ogawa, patent lawyer, Townsend and Townsend and Crew, California Sponsors of the ICAST 2008 Industry Breakfast Wednesday, July 16 • 2:00 pm–3:00 pm Thursday, July 17 • 11:00 am–Noon (repeat) In today's global marketplace, it is increasingly important for manufacturers and distributors to understand and stay one-step-ahead of the tactics employed by counterfeit manufacturers. The fishing and marine products industry is particularly susceptible to counterfeit and black market or 'grey market' products, resulting in a significant loss of revenue and customer loyalty. This session will cover the patent and other intellectual property protection available to inventors, manufacturers, distributors and retailers from the acquisition of intellectual property rights to enforcement tactics and remedies. Whether you make or distribute lures, line, rods, reels, trolling motors or accessories, you will profit from this presentation. Top

Apparel Lounge

Open during show hours. Booth 454.

The Apparel Lounge showcases sponsoring exhibitors’ latest apparel and merchandise in a prominent lounge space on the ICAST show floor. Not only will attendees be able to view the latest trends in clothing and accessories, but they will also be able to take a well-deserved break and catch up with peers in the lounge area. Mannequins sport apparel and accessories from Alphatan, First Light Net, Fishworks, Gemini Sport Marketing, The Habana Company and Pelagic, LLC. Top

Foundations’ Showcase

Open during show hours. Booth 1301.

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. Top

Exhibitors’ Social Hour

The Exhibitors' Social Hour is a time for exhibitors to invite attendees into their booths to enjoy beer and wine and conversation. Certain exhibitors will offer social hours from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16 and Thursday, July 17, and from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18. Be on the lookout for your invitation from participating exhibitors to join the celebration. Top

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