2004 Sportfishing Summit
Advancing an Angling Agenda
By all accounts, the 2004 Sportfishing Summit held October 27-29
in Hilton Head, S.C., was the most successful membership meeting held
by ASA. Our final tally shows that we had more than 155 representatives
from 95 different companies and organizations, including 73 member companies
attend the Summit.
With speakers and ASA staff, that brought attendance to over 170 people.
According to the evaluations,
the continued increase in attendance at the Summit can be attributed
to providing members information on the most relevant issues facing the
sportfishing industry as well as practical knowledge to develop and manage
business. In addition, 100 percent of the members rated the Summit as “good” or “excellent” in
providing an opportunity to interact with other ASA members, 75 percent
in the excellent category.
According to the satisfaction survey, 100 percent of attendees responding
rated the Summit’s overall usefulness as “good” or “excellent” with
67 percent giving the “excellent” rating. According to ASA
Board Chairman Dave Pfeiffer, of Shimano American Corporation, a significant
number of people made comments to him emphasizing how well the event
was organized and that the topics and speakers provided information that
was both intriguing and relevant to their business interests.
Mike
Nussman,
ASA president and CEO, reinforced Pfeiffer’s comments, “The
success of the 2004 Sportfishing Summit reinforced to me the energy and
power that we have as an industry. Our members came to the Summit believing
it would be a success and it was.”
Scores of representatives from every sector of the sportfishing community
came together for thought-provoking sessions and spirited debate on topics
ranging from the state of manufacturing to marketing and brand identity
to examining the elements of establishing a new community-wide advocacy
campaign to protect and promote recreational angling. It wasn’t
all work, though, with a number of attendees taking time to enjoy golf
and surf and flats fishing.
Highlights of the 2004 Sportfishing Summit
Keynote
Address–What’s Your One Thing?
David Martin,
Identity Marketing, LLC, a nationally recognized leader in developing branding
programs for companies, non-profits and associations, emphasized finding “the
one thing” that drives a company’s brand.
Doing Business in China
By request of ASA’s members,
internationally known China expert, Michael Colopy, returned to the Summit
for a second year to speak on the emergence of China and America's role
in the world.
2005 Industry Outlook
Three representatives of the sportfishing industry provided their insights
into the year ahead from the retail, manufacturing and consumer shows perspectives.
Advancing Angling Advocacy
This interactive session, combining expert speakers and roundtable discussions,
helped define the elements of a powerful advocacy campaign and what is
needed to construct a community-wide campaign to protect and promote recreational
angling.
October
2004 Business Meeting Committee Reports’ Highlights
During
the Summit, ASA’s Board of Directors and its committees met
to conduct the association’s business. Here are the highlights of
the committee’s discussion and deliberations as reported during the
General Membership meeting.
State of Manufacturing and the U.S. Economy
David Huether,
chief economist, International Economic Affairs, National Manufacturers
Association, provided an overview of the importance of manufacturing, the
economic situation and outlook and the long-term challenges. According
to Huether, challenges facing today’s manufacturers are high costs
on the domestic side and, internationally, increased competition and trade
barriers to the U.S. exports.
Spotlight on Foundation Donors
ASA member companies that made financial contributions to the
FishAmerica and Future Fisherman Foundations received special
recognition during the 2004 Summit.
A Look at the South Carolina DNR
John Frampton, director, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), welcomed the members to Hilton Head and provided insight into the
issues facing the DNR. He focused his remarks on how the DNR is supporting
the move from land-based recreation in S.C. to water-based as well as the
importance of industry partnering with state agencies on resource management
issues.
Lunch with Federal Fisheries Agency Leaders
Dr. William Hogarth, assistant administrator, NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service;
Tom Thompson, deputy chief, National Forest System; and Steve Williams,
director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service met with ASA members during lunch
sessions for “give and take” dialog on their outlooks
for fisheries and their agencies' roles in improving fishing.
Business Improvement Seminars
Members were offered a choice of seminars that focused on business management
issues. Representatives from the Internal Revenue Service provided information
on the latest issues regarding the Wallop-Breaux excise tax. Several experts
in the field of public relations and media provided their insights, particularly
when it comes to managing media relations at ICAST; using events to market
a product and working with media on product story placement.
Mark your calendars
for the
2005 Sportfishing Summit!
October 5–7
Ocean Reef Club
Key Largo, Florida
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