The Orange County Convention Center, our partner hotels and neighboring attractions are open. We invite you to “get back to business” with us this July 20—23.

As the largest business-to-business event in the sportfishing industry, ICAST week is the first set of dates we block off on our calendar at the beginning of the year. And while COVID-19 is still a factor in our business decisions and operations, stringent safety guidelines and advanced cleaning and hygiene protocols are paving the road back to in-person events.

What we’re seeing

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), home to ICAST since 2012, began hosting modified live events at the end of 2020. Through January, several large shows have successfully taken place including Surf Expo, the American Kennel Club National Championship presented by Royal Canin and the Central Florida International Auto Show, with dozens more scheduled over the coming months.

Membership and Trade Show VP Blake Swango attended Surf Expo in January, noting that both the convention center and show producers took deliberate steps to provide increased sanitation, social distancing and medical services. He was encouraged by the positive response and upbeat attitude of attendees. “Everything was clearly marked and easy to read. The expectation for everyone to follow the rules was set. And as far as I could see, everyone did,” he recalls.

Networking and connection, the hallmarks of an in-person trade show, were still going on, even with the abundance of caution of social distancing and wearing masks.

The usual expo services were up and running with a few modifications. Registration included touchless systems for badge pick-up and on-site registration. Food service was centralized in the back of the hall and offered prepackaged food and drink options. Service vendors maintained their kiosks with plexi protectors.

Blake talked with multiple ASA members who exhibited, all of whom were impressed by the attendance of buyers and dedication to writing orders. Stan Rudman of Hook & Tackle Outfitters said, “We were very surprised by how many buyers showed up. It was 100% worthwhile to attend and we are looking forward to exhibiting at ICAST in July.”

What we know

The OCCC can accommodate large events—one of only a handful of convention centers in the United States that can as of this date—because of their release and rapid implementation of Recovery and Resiliency Guidelines, making the health and safety of guests, employees and the community a top priority.

Specifically, their outline for enhanced sanitation measures designated the convention center as a Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Star accredited venue. This means they have:

  • Established and maintained an infectious disease prevention, cleaning and disinfection program to minimize risks associated with infection agents like the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
  • The proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices in place to combat biohazards and infectious disease.
  • Highly informed cleaning professionals who are trained for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response.

ASA will receive a cleaning schedule unique to ICAST, which will most likely include both overnight and mid-day sanitation.

According to the CDC, effective hazard controls can reduce viral transmissions in buildings, including improved ventilation. The OCCC now has their HVAC systems in the exhibit halls running 24-hours a day while occupied and fresh air exhaust during move-in and move-out. High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have been installed to enhance air cleaning.

ICAST Preparations

While the convention center’s role in health and safety is significant, there are many responsibilities left up to the management of each show. The ICAST team is working with show planners and contractors to make your experience not only safe, but enjoyable.

Current recommendations by state officials being taken into consideration include:

  • Temperature checks before entering the exhibit hall.
  • Requiring face masks and providing masks for those without one.
  • Hand sanitizing stations throughout the hall.
  • Physical distancing signs on the show floor.

We have a regularly updated list of FAQs about show safety on the ICAST website Safety Page.

It may not exactly be business as usual, but we’re confident that tracking the progress on guidelines and adjusting our procedures will allow us to welcome you back to an in-person trade show this summer.

So, get out your 2021 calendar and save the dates: July 20-23. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando.

The show floor is filling up—book your booth today!

Attendee registration and hotel bookings open in March.

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