ICAST hosted the largest gathering of the domestic and international sportfishing trade.
More than 15,000 representatives from the domestic and international recreational fishing and boating community converged on the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla., July 10-13, for the 61st International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST.
ICAST is produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the sportfishing industry’s trade association. This was Glenn Hughes’, former Vice President of Industry Relations, first ICAST as President of the association.
“This was a fantastic week for the sportfishing industry,” said Hughes. “More exhibitors enjoyed the largest number of attendees in our trade show’s history. Going hand-in-hand with increased participation is the tremendous coverage across all social media channels of the products found only at ICAST. This is great exposure for our exhibitors and for anglers eagerly looking for new products to enhance their fishing experience.”
Hughes further noted, “Ultimately, this show is about showcasing the gear, apparel and accessories that help to make a day on the water both exciting and rewarding.”
ICAST 2019 will be held in the North/South Building at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., July 9 – 12, 2019.
From an exhibitor perspective, Bill Shedd, president of American Fishing Tackle Company (AFTCO), a long-time ASA member who recently stepped down from many years as Government Affairs Committee Chairman, said, “I’ve been coming to this show for 44 years. I can honestly say this was the best ICAST ever. I saw all the people I wanted to see and the energy, overall, was excellent.”
ICAST, along with the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show and the Marine Accessories Pavilion, encompassed 220,000 net square feet of its new location in the North/South Building. ICAST hosted 626 exhibitors. There were more than 15,000 people registered for the show, including 1,154 people from 71 countries, which translates into a significant opportunity for exhibitors to do business on a global scale.
“ICAST is a great show and this is the best one yet,” said Kirk Immens, president, Sportco Marketing, Inc., and ASA’s board of directors Chairman. “We had an inspirational, and moving, kick-off to the show with our State of the Industry Breakfast keynote speaker, Commander Kirk Lippold, who was the Commander of the USS Cole, when it was targeted by al Qaeda and lives were lost. His message about leadership really resonated with the more than 600 people in attendance.”
Also speaking at the Industry Breakfast was Immens, Hughes and Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) President and CEO Frank Peterson.
Immens continued, “For me, one of the highlights of the week was our Friday Angler Development Day. ASA worked with FLW and B.A.S.S. to invite local high school fishing clubs to see the show. These young people are our future and it’s important for them to see the industry in action. I don’t know if it was me or them who was more excited for them to be here.”
ICAST Super Tuesday
On the Water product demonstrations, held on the OCCC grounds outside the north side of the exhibit hall, was an excellent venue for buyers and media to check out and demo exhibitors’ gear, tackle and accessories and where three lucky attendees won a GoFish Cam and App.
The ICAST Cup – Industry Bass Fishing Tournament, sponsored by FLW, paired professional anglers with media representatives and other industry professionals. It was held on Lake Toho, in Kissimmee, Fla. With a tie win, congratulations go to the teams of Lew’s Fishing with John Carmen, Peter Thliveros and Matthew Mattingly and Co-angler.com with Thomas Gomez, Billy Benedetti and Cesar Jaimes.
Florida Sportsman’s Bass & Birdies Classic, the fifth, annual golf/fishing tournament, was also held on Tuesday. Congratulations to Ricardo Ortiz, Drew Gregory, Greg Boston and Kyle Weisenburger for winning the 2018 Bass & Birdies Classic.
These events gave buyers and media additional opportunities to try out product and network with industry representatives. The proceeds from these events support Keep America Fishing (KAF), ASA’s angler advocacy program. The FLW ICAST Cup raised $12,000 for KAF.
The 60 in 60 Booth
You’ve heard about the 60 in 60 campaign to get 60 million anglers on the water by December 2021. This year, making up a special section of the show floor, was the 60 in 60 Booth.
A joint project between ASA and RBFF, retailers big and small, media, manufacturers, captains and guides, state agencies and other nonprofits were offered quick and simple tips to recruit, retain and reactivate anglers across the fishing spectrum.
“Our goal was to increase awareness of the need for everyone in our industry to get involved in getting more people fishing,” said ASA Chief Marketing Officer Liz Ogilvie. “We heard from our industry that they wanted information and actionable items that will work for them. We provided that at ICAST and will continue to provide information and solutions that will work for them.”
2018 ICAST Show Sponsors
ASA would like to thank its generous members who signed on as ICAST sponsors. Our ICAST 2018 sponsors are:
Gold – Columbia Sportswear; Crocodile Bay Resort; ENGEL COOLERS; Fishing Tackle Retailer; Florida Sportsmen; FLW, LLC, The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and Visit Orlando.
Silver – Anything Possible Brands; Bonnier Corporation, FishAnywhere.com; GILLZ Gear, Huk Performance Fishing; Ketch Products; LIVETARGET Lures; Realtree Fishing and Wyoming Outdoor Recreation.
ICAST 2018 Best of Category and Best of Show Awards
Garmin USA’s Panoptix LiveScope was voted by buyers and media as the best product in both the Electronics category and the overall Best of Show.
The ICAST 2018 Best of Category awards were presented on Wednesday, July 11, during the New Product Showcase Awards Reception at the Orange County Convention Center.
2018 ICAST New Product Showcase Best of Category Award Winners
For product details, images and other information please contact the individual award winners’ contacts listed below.
Best of Category and Best of Show – Electronics – Garmin USA
Product: Garmin Panoptix LiveScope
Contact: Carly Hysell carly.hysell@garmin.com
Best of Category – Boating Accessories – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: Minn Kota Ultrex with MEGA Down Imaging
Contact: Kathy Dutton kdutton@johnsonoutdoors.com
Best of Category – Boats and Watercraft – Jackson Kayak
Product: 360 Angler
Contact: Sonia Cronin sonia@jacksonkayak.com
Best of Category – Eyewear – Costa Sunglasses
Product: Baffin
Contact: Shauna Metz smetz@costadelmar.com
Best of Category – Footwear – Rivers Edge Products
Product: Fish Sandals
Contact: Michael McFadden Michael.mcfadden@riversedgeproducts.com
Best of Category – Giftware – Number 6 Brands
Product: Cauldryn Coffee
Contact: Jason Shinn jason@number6brands.com
Best of Category – Lifestyle Apparel – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Hexatron Performance Fleece
Contact: Matt Florentine matt@aftco.com
Best of Category – Technical Apparel – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Hydronaut Heavy-Duty Waterproof System
Contact: Matt Florentine matt@aftco.com
Best of Category – Fishing Accessory – YETI
Product: YETI Panga Backpack 28
Contact: Ravanne Harris rharris@yeti.com
Best of Category – Fly Fishing Accessory – YETI
Product: YETI Tundra Haul
Contact: Ravanne Harris rharris@yeti.com
Best of Category – Fishing Line – PowerPro
Product: PowerPro SuperSlick V2 Brand
Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Best of Category – Kids’ Tackle – AnythingPossible
Product: Kid Casters DUDE PERFECT Fishing Kit & Casting Game
Contact: Jason Bauer jbauer@lilanglers.com
Best of Category – Tackle Management – Tak Logic Lure Lock
Product: Lure Locker
Contact: John Skrabo jskrabo@taklogic.com
Best of Category – Terminal Tackle – Rapala
Product: VMC NEKO Skirt
Contact: Bob Bussey bbussey@rapalausa.com
Best of Category – Freshwater Hard Lure – Westin
Product: Freddy the Frog
Contact: Thomas Sanotra tsa@fairpoint.dk
Best of Category – Saltwater Hard Lure – 13 Fishing
Product: Octopi
Contact: Jose Chavez jose@13Fishing.com
Best of Category – Freshwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: LIVETARGET Hollow Body Crawfish
Contact: Susan Koppers skoppers@livetargetlures.com
Best of Category – Saltwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: LIVETARGET Fleeing Shrimp
Contact: Susan Koppers skoppers@livetargetlures.com
Best of Category – Fly Reel – SEiGLER Reels
Product: Seigler MF Fly Reel
Contact: Russell Seymour russell@seigler.fish
Best of Category – Freshwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product: Curado DC Baitcasting Reel
Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Best of Category – Saltwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product: Tekota 500 Levelwind Reel
Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Best of Category – Rod & Reel Combo – Lew’s Fishing
Product: Team Lew’s® Custom Black LFS Combo
Contact: Tony Mehri tmehri@hunterspec.com
Best of Category – Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: Mojo Trout
Contact: Rich Belanger richb@stcroixrods.com
Best of Category – Freshwater Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: Legend Glass
Contact: Rich Belanger richb@stcroixrods.com
Best of Category – Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: Mojo Yak
Contact: Rich Belanger richb@stcroixrods.com
ICAST 2019 will be held in the North/South Building at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., July 9 – 12, 2019.
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