ICAST 2009 Continues Tradition as World’s Largest Sportfishing Trade Show
July 29, 2009 – Alexandria, VA— From exhibitors to buyers to outdoor media, a record crowd of nearly 7,400 representatives from the global sportfishing community converged on the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., July 15 – 17, for the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. The International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), produced by the American Sportfishing Association, represents the cornerstone of the sportfishing industry, driving sportfishing companies’ product sales year round and is the showcase for the latest innovations in gear and accessories.
“Florida is the epicenter of sportfishing in the United States, and quite possibly the world. The tradeshow’s Florida location made it relatively easy for retail business owners and media representatives from the Southeastern U.S. as well as industry leaders from Europe and South America to attend the show, something they may not have been able to do in recent years,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “There is nowhere like ICAST where the global sportfishing industry can come together to see the very latest in gear and accessories and network with colleagues and friends. In this economy, people know they need to be smart about doing business. I’m gratified that attending ICAST was high on everyone’s list making this one of the most attended shows in over ten years.”
ICAST 2009 featured 396 exhibitors filling 1,200 booths. With a strong attendance from Florida and the Southeast, more than 2,300 buyers and more than 525 media representatives attended the show. International ICAST attendance continues to increase with more than 700 attendees from 63 countries represented at the show.
Nussman further said, “On behalf of ASA’s Board of Directors and the ASA staff, I want to thank our member exhibitors, sponsors, buyers, media, manufacturers’ representatives and everyone who participated in this year’s show and helped make it such a success. I look forward to seeing everyone next year for ICAST 2010 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.”
