2023 Annual Review

Message from the ASA President, Glenn Hughes

For 90 years, ASA has remained committed to look out for the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community.

Message from the ASA President, Glenn Hughes

For 90 years, ASA has remained committed to look out for the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community.

Introduction

2023 was a landmark year for ASA as we hit our post-covid stride and advanced the interests of the sportfishing industry. ICAST is expanding, membership is up, engagement is better than ever, and the Association has been working hard to meet its members’ needs day in and day out. Over the last 90 years, ASA has continuously evolved and adapted to meet the changing demands of the sportfishing industry yet remained steadfast in our mission to protect the interests of our members and the entire recreational fishing community.

As we turn the page on 2023, we are excited to release our first ever ASA Annual Report to show how your investment is paying dividends for the industry. The information below is structured around ASA’s strategic plan, which outlines the Association’s seven guiding directives and has been our compass as we build engagement and increase value for our communities.

We have encapsulated our 2023 accomplishments using our three strategic platforms: Community, Advocacy, and Education. These pillars simplify the mission of the Association and are illustrative of the ways we serve our membership.

Thank you for your participation in ASA this past year. Your support is critical to our mission and your partnership is imperative to strengthening, protecting, and showcasing the interests of the sportfishing community.

Strategic Directives:

1

Building the sportfishing community
2

Enhancing content and communications
3

New revenue generation
4

Enhancing trade show and events
5

Growing and expanding retailer engagement
6

Expanding regional events
7
Advancing our advocacy efforts

COMMUNITY

ASA’s mission is to protect the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community. We are more committed than ever to broadening our reach and growing engagement with both our partners and members.

ASA’s mission is to protect the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community. We are are more committed than ever to broadening our reach and growing engagement with both our partners and members.

Building the Sportfishing Community

Every day, we stand together with over 800 organizations that have a vested interest in the health, growth, and expansion of the sportfishing industry.

ASA Membership for 2023: 833 members, 237 new or reactivated members
Since its launch in January 2023, visitation of the association’s website, ASAFishing.org, has increased nearly 50%
New association management software allows for better integration and communication with members and partners

Enhance the Value of Show and Events

ICAST

As the premier showcase for the latest innovations in gear, tackle, accessories and apparel, ICAST is the cornerstone of the sportfishing industry, helping to drive recreational fishing product sales year-round.

ICAST Exhibitors: 633
ICAST Registration: 13,344
Record-setting 60 booths on display during the On The Water Demo Day
Record-setting 1,087 products were entered by 293 companies in the New Product Showcase
Record-setting 80 countries represented at the show
Lunch and Learn – over 220 attended
Fly Fishing area brought new manufacturers, retailers and media to the show

Sportfishing Summit

An exclusive, members-only event held in Sandestin, FL in October.

Over 40 new members attended, expanding their knowledge and network
Unveiled retailer sportfishing trends and participation exclusively to attendees
Inaugural “Women in Industry” networking event

Grow New Revenue Streams

First membership rate increase in 15 years drove 10% year-over-year revenue growth
New sponsorship packages for Keep America Fishing and the ASA Sportfishing Summit increased revenues by 50%
Subleased 1/3rd of office space in Alexandria
Reserves re-invested, increasing return by 1,000%!

Enhance Content and Communications

ASA completed a refresh of our brands, applied innovative marketing strategies to our emails, and doubled down on our social media presence. We also completed a comprehensive redesign of the ASA website which included a new user interface and bringing Keep America Fishing and the Sportfishing Summit sites into the main ASA site. Since the site’s launch in January of 2023, visitors have increased by nearly 50% to 51,803. In addition:

Pageviews increased by 180%
Pages per session increased by 88%
On social media, posts increased by 75%
Sent out 187 emails with a 32% open rate

Old vs. New Website

ADVOCACY

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade-related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational fishing.

ADVOCACY

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.

ADVOCACY

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.

Sustain and Grow Advocacy Efforts

Developed 6 government affairs toolkits
Sent out 20 calls-to-action to Keep America Fishing supporters – a total of 5,271,117 emails
Open rates for Keep America Fishing emails were 19%, well exceeding the industry average
Policy Alerts to ASA members had an open rate of 33.5% (double the industry average)
Grew KAF Instagram channel audience by 16.3% – a net gain of nearly 165%

Highlights of the Year

Movement for ASA Priority Legislation:

EXPLORE Act Introduced

The House version of the Senate’s Outdoor Recreation Act was approved by Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee.

2023 Annual Review

Introduction

Strategic Directives:

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY

ASA’s mission is to protect the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community. We are more committed than ever to broadening our reach and growing engagement with both our partners and members.

ASA’s mission is to protect the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community. We are are more committed than ever to broadening our reach and growing engagement with both our partners and members.

Building the Sportfishing Community

Enhance the Value of Show and Events

ICAST

Sportfishing Summit

Grow New Revenue Streams

Enhance Content and Communications

Old vs. New Website

ADVOCACY

ADVOCACY

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade-related issues is a core function of ASA. Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational fishing.

ADVOCACY

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA. Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.

ADVOCACY

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA. Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA. Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.

Sustain and Grow Advocacy Efforts

Highlights of the Year

Movement for ASA Priority Legislation:

EXPLORE Act Introduced

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade-related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational fishing.

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.