Las Vegas Convention Center - July 15, 2011 - From exhibitors to buyers to outdoor media, 7,000 representatives from the global sportfishing community converged on the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., July 13 - 15, for the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. The 54th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), 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.
“There is nowhere like ICAST where the global sportfishing industry comes together to see the very latest in gear and accessories and network with colleagues and friends,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “In this economy, people know they need to be smart about where and how they do business. I’m gratified that attending ICAST was high on everyone’s list.”
ICAST 2011 featured 427 exhibitors filling 1,270 booths, with 2,100 buyers and 530 media representatives in attendance. International ICAST attendance continues to increase with 822 attendees from 53 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 2012, July 11-13, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.”
Jeff Marble, ASA’s Chairman of the Board, and CEO, Frabill, Inc., and Nussman, described the current state of our industry and how ASA and the industry is giving our nation’s 60 million anglers a voice through KeepAmericaFishing during the Industry Breakfast. The industry remarks are available on www.ICASTfishing.org.
ASA thanks the following companies for their generous support of ICAST 2011: Gold - Crocodile Bay Resort, Fishing Tackle Retailer, Frabill, Inc., Take Me Fishing and Versus; Silver - Dave Mercer’s Facts of Fishing, Fishouflage Apparel, Gemini Sport Marketing, In-Fisherman and Koppers Fishing and Tackle Corporation; and Bronze - Classic Fishing Products, Inc., Chums, Dawn Outdoors, Fishgillz Sunglass Co., Gill North America, Lowrance - Navico, Outdoor InSite, LLC, Pure Fishing, RecTec, LCC, Ryjus Group, Scent Blazer Pty. Ltd., Silverfish Press, Southwick Associates and ZipCut Pro.
The New Product Showcase “Best of Show” Awards
Making up a special section of ICAST’s 400,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase provides unique visibility for the latest innovations in sportfishing gear and accessories. The submitted products compete in the “Best of Show” competition where buyers and media members judge each new product. This year, the Showcase included 21 categories, including new fly fishing categories and an expanded boat category, as well as the overall “Best of Show” award.
This year the Berkley Nanofil fishing line by Pure Fishing, Inc. was voted by buyers and outdoor journalists as the most innovative product in the ICAST 2011 New Product Showcase in both the Line category and the overall “Best of Show.”
2011 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners
For product details, images and other information please contact the individual award winners listed below.
ICAST 2011 Overall Best of Show - Pure Fishing, Inc., Berkley Nanofil
Media Contact: Hunter Cole,803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com
Best of Show - Apparel - Frabill, Inc., Frabill Suit
Media Contact: Jeff Kolodzinski, 262-707-0856, jkolodzinski@frabill.com
Best of Show - Boat - Hobie Cat, Hobie Mirage Revolution 11
Media Contact: Ingrid Niehaus, 949-235-7860, iniehaus@hobiecat.com
Best of Show - Boating Accessory - JL Marine Systems, Inc., 10 Ft Power-Pole Blade Edition
Media Contact: Robert Shamblin, 813-833-0597, robert@power-pole.com
Best of Show - Combo - Daiwa Corporation, Daiwa D-Shock DSH-4Bi Combo
Media Contact: Bill Liston, 704-773-6233, bliston@daiwa.com
Best of Show - Electronics - Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Humminbird 1158c DI Combo
Media Contact: Steve Roth, 402-437-6418, steveroth@johnsonoutdoors.com
Best of Show - Eyewear - Costa, Costa Women’s Collection
Media Contact: Liza Jones, 864-270-0722, liza@fullcirclepr.com
Best of Show - Fishing Accessory - G. Pucci & Sons, Inc., P-Line Sparrowhawk
Media Contact: Stefano Pucci, 415-608-4252, fishpline@aol.com
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Accessory - VestPac, DriftPac
Media Contact: Paul Cherry, 704-437-, paul@vestpac.com
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Reel - Temple Fork Outfitters, BVK Fly Reel
Media Contact: Jim Shulin, 214-638-9053, collins@templeforkflyrods.com
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Rod - G. Loomis, Inc., Pro4x
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz, 574-289-1331, jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Best of Show - Freshwater Reel - Pure Fishing, Inc., Abu Garcia Revo MGX
Media Contact: Hunter Cole,803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com
Best of Show - Freshwater Rod - G. Loomis, Inc., GL2
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz, 574-289-1331, jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Best of Show - Giftware - 3D Picture Store, Inc., 3D “Exploring Smallmouth” Picture
Media Contact: Jason Garstecki, 847-921-0760, jay@3dpicturestore.com
Best of Show - Kids’ Tackle - Pure Fishing, Inc., Casting Game & Sound Fishing Kit
Media Contact: Hunter Cole,803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com
Best of Show - Line - Pure Fishing, Inc., Berkley Nanofil
Media Contact: Hunter Cole,803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com
Best of Show - Hard Lure - Pure Fishing, Inc., Sebile D&S Crank
Media Contact: Hunter Cole,803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com
Best of Show - Soft Lure - Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corporation, LIVE TARGET
Hollow Body Mouse
Media Contact: Tom Chopin, 905-327-9095, tom@koppersfishing.com
Best of Show - Saltwater Reel - Daiwa Corporation, Saltiga SATG5000H
Media Contact: Bill Liston, 704-773-6233, bliston@daiwa.com
Best of Show - Saltwater Rod - Shimano American Corporation, Terez Rail Rod
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz, 574-289-1331, jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Best of Show - Tackle Management - Plano Molding Company, 4674 Hydro-Flo
Tackle Bag
Media Contact: Sean Wheatley, 630-770-6562, swheatley@planomolding.com
Terminal Tackle - VMC, Spinshot
Media Contact: Jackie Kiklas, 952-5536, cmathieu@vmchooks.com
In 2012, ICAST will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., from July 11 - 13, 2012. ICAST 2013 will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., from July 10 - 12, 2013.
For complete ICAST information, visit ICASTfishing.org.