World-class education, networking and product information await in Orlando
There’s a buzz coming off the water, rising up through the July heat waves that roll over International Drive and into the heart of Central Florida. Orlando, better known for cartoon mice and rollercoasters, is about to transform into the epicenter of the sportfishing universe.
ICAST 2025 is coming. And if you’re not already booked, you’re on the edge of missing it.
ICAST is the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. It’s where big-name brands, startup dreamers, and gear geeks all squeeze into the Orange County Convention Center to meet with tackle dealers, wholesalers and media. ICAST is a yearly launch party for thousands of new fishing products that’s part business meeting, part TED-talk and part festival.
In just a few weeks, tackle dealers will carry golf clubs and fishing rods arm-in-arm with manufacturers at ICAST’s Lunkers and Bunkers charity golf scramble. They’ll team with bass fishing pros from the Major League Fishing roster at the ICAST Cup. They’ll paddle, reel and cast their way around a testing pond at ICAST On the Water Demo Day. And they’ll convene to vote for the best of the best among hundreds of brand new products at the New Product Showcase Preview Reception.
That’s all before the show floor even opens on July 16. Before an estimated 14,000 attendees pour down an escalator and through the doors of the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. “When it comes to growing your business and staying competitive, your network is everything,” says ASA VP, Member Services and Business Development Kenda Allman. “There’s no better place to expand your network than ICAST.”
If you’re serious about selling more tackle and increasing your presence in the world of sportfishing, ICAST is a can’t-miss opportunity. But here’s the kicker—this year’s show floor space is nearly sold out, and dealer attendance for ICAST 2025 is outpacing historical averages.
One Week That Pays for Itself All Year
ICAST isn’t just a showroom for new fishing tackle—it’s a chance to get in the same room as the people actually moving the needle in the sportfishing industry. Product designers, sales reps and CEOs fill the meeting rooms and booths of ICAST; and most of them will be quick to extend an invitation to one of the show’s legendary happy hours to you as well. And Allman says those conversations can pay dividends down the road. “Business, as in life, is not just what you know, it’s who you know. So, take the time to show up, step out of your comfort zone, and be present in those moments. You never know where a casual chat might lead.”
On the show floor, you’ll find a week’s worth of aisles to explore. And you’ll find hundreds of exhibitors, all chasing the holy grail of the New Product Showcase, where the ‘Best in Show’ title can take a product from backroom prototype to global phenomenon in a single news cycle.
But beyond the glitz of new gear, ICAST 2025 doubles as a crash course in the business of angling. Daily Lunch & Learn seminars aren’t just filler, they’re where sharp minds talk conservation, tackle retail, digital trends, and the shifting tide of global fisheries. In these tight, focused sessions, you’ll pick up practical knowledge that can translate directly to your margins. Experts are on deck this year to teach dealers about artificial intelligence, purchase order planning and untangling the ever-changing web of international tariffs.
Easy Travel from Latin America and the Caribbean
Direct flights into Orlando International Airport are plentiful from cities like São Paulo, Mexico City, Bogotá, Lima, and Buenos Aires. Once you land, it’s a straight shot to the Convention Center—20 minutes in a cab, if that. You don’t need a visa from many countries, and Orlando knows how to welcome international visitors better than most American cities. It’s built for it.
But here’s the bottom line: If you’re serious about the business of fishing, missing ICAST 2025 isn’t an option. The connections you can make, the education you can receive, and the pulse of the industry you can feel in Orlando? “In a world that’s increasingly digital, the energy and authenticity of face-to-face interaction has never been more valuable or more rare,” adds Allman. “That’s what makes trade shows so powerful. They offer something you simply can’t replicate over a screen. They give you real human connection. At ICAST, every conversation is a chance to grow.”
Registration for ICAST 2025 is ongoing at ICASTFishing.org. Official show dates are July 15-18, 2025.
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