A bigger than ever Super Tuesday signals start of ICAST 2023
The International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, the flagship event for the worldwide recreational fishing industry – better known as ICAST – launched today with Super Tuesday. From sunrise to sunset, activities filled the docket of attendees both inside and outside of Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).
Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA)—the national association that represents the business interests of the sportfishing industry—ICAST offers an unequaled array of tackle, gear, apparel and accessories all at the fingertips of attendees ranging from tackle dealers to wholesalers and industry media.
Now in its 66th year, ICAST is the face of the multi-billion-dollar recreational fishing industry. Nationally, recreational fishing has a $128 billion impact on the economy supporting 825,000 jobs. In Florida – The Nation’s Sportfishing Capitol – anglers and boaters have a $13.8 billion economic output supporting 119,678 jobs.
“There is no place like ICAST for the entire sportfishing industry, both domestic and international,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “We bring more manufacturers, buyers and media together than any other sportfishing industry event.”
Hughes further noted, “ICAST has seen tremendous growth and the investment in new products is unsurpassed. That means new connections and new business possibilities for everyone who attends.”
ASA Events Help Keep Anglers on the Water
In addition to producing ICAST, ASA supports two advocacy programs – Keep America Fishing and Keep Florida Fishing – providing U.S. anglers a voice on national, regional and state policy issues impacting their ability to fish on public lands.
At ICAST On The Water Product Demo Day, ASA’s Keep America Fishing booth focused on spotlighting its advocacy work on the industry’s behalf. “ASA is the only national group that speaks on behalf of the sportfishing industry and builds community among people who have a passion for fishing, want to enhance their business and safeguard our fisheries,” said ASA Communications Vice President Mary Beth Long.
On the show floor, the ASA Pavilion (Booth 1338) is set to offer attendees a break from new products by shifting the focus to industry advocacy. “ICAST is the perfect place to not only conduct business but also build community in the tackle world,” added Long. “By stopping by the pavilion, attendees can talk directly to ASA and tell us how we can better support them, their business and the united interested of the sportfishing industry.”
Super Tuesday Events
The ICAST Cup Bass Fishing Tournament, sponsored by Major League Fishing, is held on Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Fla.
The tournament pairs well-known professional bass anglers with tackle dealers, media members and manufacturers with the proceeds benefiting Keep America Fishing. Takeoff starts at 5:30 a.m. with weigh-in following at 9:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, a record number of exhibitors signed on for On The Water Product Demo Day, sponsored by Garmin. Located on the water features outside the OCCC’s North Building, the event puts products from the show floor in the hands of attendees where field tests of new rods, reels, lures, watercraft and marine electronics gave them a first-hand look at product performance in the outdoors. KastKing is sponsoring the beer tent.
“On The Water Product Demo Day is bigger than it’s ever been,” said ASA Trade Show and Membership VP Blake Swango. “We had people dropping boats into the demo pond, tents, food, drinks, a women’s angler meetup, ASA’s Keep America Fishing booth and more than 60 exhibitors’ booths.”
An Expanded New Product Showcase
The New Product Showcase, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, embodies the sportfishing industry’s ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit by recognizing the year’s most innovative products culminating in the “Best of Show” honors. This year, more than 1,100 products were entered into the Showcase.
Credentialed buyers and media start voting for the 37 “Best of Category” winners on Tuesday, July 11, at 5:00 p.m. during the New Product Showcase Preview Reception with voting ending at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12.
The “Best of Category” awards are presented Wednesday evening during the Industry Awards Reception held in the convention center. The “Best of Show” award is presented on Thursday afternoon in the Showcase.
“Companies plan product launches around ICAST,” said Swango. “Receiving a “Best of Category” award and the potential to win the “Best of Show” award is sought after recognition by all the companies that enter products in the Showcase.”
Swango further noted, “Winners receive more coveted media coverage, a great deal of industry appreciation, instant credibility and new customers as the reward for the hard work and innovation that goes into their new product’s debut.”
Enhanced Fly Fishing Experience
New for ICAST 2023, the ICAST Fly Shop (Booth 811) provides a first-class home for ICAST’s exhibitors seeking to highlight their fly fishing products. The Fly Shop recreates the experience of visiting a world-class fly fishing dealer on the show floor, complete with fly fishing products entered by ICAST exhibitors. In addition, there are now six fly fishing categories in the “Best of Category” awards.
“More fly companies are exhibiting at ICAST this year than in the past,” said Swango. “We are seeing companies that have traditionally not been at ICAST come into the fold. We’re excited to see more fly fishing media than we’ve ever seen before.”
In addition to the Fly Shop, the show’s adjacent FlyCASTing Pond gives attendees a place to try out fly fishing products for themselves and also enjoy casting demonstrations.
Record International Attendance
Last year, representatives from 73 countries made the journey to Florida for ICAST. This year, Swango said that 80 countries are represented along with exhibitors from all 50 states.
“It’s a really strong showing that speaks to the quality of the show,” added Swango. “Hosting people from so many corners of the globe and featuring more than 1,100 new products in the Showcase really gives us a sense of the momentum of sportfishing as a whole.”
Navigate the ICAST Show with the ICAST App
Loaded with helpful features, the ICAST mobile app, sponsored by ANYTHINGPossible Brands, is a one-stop shop for maps, event schedules, booth locations and exhibitor listings. Available on both Android and Apple devices, the app is a convenient digital companion to keep a busy week organized.
Keeping Up with ICAST
ICAST can be found on social media at: Facebook – @icastfishing – Instagram – @icastshow and Twitter – @ICASTshow. When posting, use hashtags: #ICAST2023 #ICASTshow #ICAST.
Thank You ICAST 2023 Sponsors!
ASA extends our sincere thanks and appreciation to our members for their generous support of ICAST 2023.
Platinum:Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, Under Armour and Wired2Fish
Gold:, Coastal Conservation Association, Crocodile Bay, Engel Coolers, Fishing Tackle Retailer, Garmin, Major League Fishing, KastKing, Shimano, St. Croix Rod, VisitOrlando and WayPoint TV
Silver:AFTCO, ANYTHINGPossible Brands, Bonnier Corporation, Get Folks Fishing Foundation and Marsh Wear.
Bronze:Beer Bung, Hook + Bullet and Hook & Tackle https://getfolksfishing.org/pages/lunkerville
