Alexandria, Va. – May 28, 2015 – For those who’ve made a profession out of their passion for fishing, the world’s largest recreational fishing trade show is as much about generating new energy as it is new business. With those values in mind, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has expanded the lineup for its longstanding Icast trade show taking place July 14-17, 2015 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., including a full array of fun, festive, and productive events to rev things up the day before the exhibition opens. Registration and details are available at www.icastfishing.org. 

For the third year, Icast and the International Fly Tackle Dealer show (iftd), the fly tackle-specific show produced by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, are co-locating in the Orange County Convention Center on the same days with the same show hours.

Main attractions on this year’s show schedule include celebrities from the world of country music and the National Football League as well as two new events on nearby Lake Toho, an expansive product demonstration and a tournament in this bass fishing paradise. 

Now in its 58th year, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as Icast, annually attracts nearly 12,000 people from around the globe to take part in the world’s largest showcase of sportfishing products, apparel, and accessories. Last year’s show included nearly 500 exhibitors and a show floor covering half-a-million square feet. It is the preeminent venue for launching new fishing products and sparking new industry trends.  

“icast is a great, global celebration that brings us together and reminds us why our sport and our industry are so special,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “The show has always offered the best chance to engage face-to-face with everyone in fishing, see all the latest examples of the industry’s ingenuity and gain some inspiration and good ideas along the way.”

Nussman added, “With the continual flow of creativity, enthusiasm and generosity from our members, we’re able to keep improving on Icast’s success.”   

A Tantalizing Menu of Events, With All the Traditional Trimmings

Two main events kick off this year’s show:  a concert by award-winning country music star Easton Corbin and an inspirational keynote speech from Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley.

Country star Easton Corbin Presented by Icast and the World Fishing Network, the Easton Corbin concert on Tuesday, July 14, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., includes concert opener, fellow country singer James Wesley, who is sponsored by Calcutta. Launching his career just over 5 years ago, Corbin’s accolades are already too numerous to list. He was the first country male artist in 17 years to have his first two consecutive singles reach No. 1. Born and raised in rural Gilchrist County, Fla., he spent much of his young life working on his grandparents’ cattle farm and fishing in the nearby Suwannee River—when he wasn’t practicing guitar until his fingers were raw.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Head Coach

Gus Bradley Coach Bradley—also an avid angler—will share his insights on staying ahead of the game during the State of the Industry Breakfast taking place just before the show floor opens on Wednesday morning, July 15. The breakfast also includes a presentation from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman, who will offer his perspectives on the short- and long-term issues affecting the sportfishing community and an outlook for the future.

Super Tuesday is, Well, Super!

Lake Toho, located a short shuttle-ride’s distance from the convention center, is the site for two new Tuesday events this year: icast On The Water, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, is an expansive product demonstration, and the icast Cup,  presented by FLW, is a bass fishing tournament bringing together professional anglers with representatives from the industry and outdoor media.

Shuttle service for Icast On the Water is being provided by Experience Kissimmee and will run continuously from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Shuttle bus pick up/drop off is in front of Hall A/B at the Orange County Convention Center West Building.

There’s also the second annual Bass & Birdies Classic, a golf tournament combined with a fishing competition, at the beautiful Shingle Creek Golf Club, presented by Florida Sportsman.  All these events take place July 14.

There is Nothing Like the New Product Showcase

Icast’s traditional star attraction, the New Product Showcase, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, will spotlight innovations in 24 categories this year. Sportfishing companies have entered hundreds of products to compete for “Best of Show” honors within their category and for the overall Best of Show award. Buyers and outdoor media representatives serve as judges, getting an advance look at the plethora of products during the New Product Showcase Preview Reception held on Tuesday, July 14, on the show floor. Winners are announced at the Chairman’s Industry Awards reception, a celebratory gathering sponsored this year by Costa, on Wednesday, July 15, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center.

Throughout the exhibition schedule are expanded opportunities to take part in free, ultra-informativebusiness development seminars led by consultants with special expertise and best practices to share. More than two dozen sessions on a variety of topics are planned. 

2015 Icast Show Sponsors

ASA is grateful for the generosity of all the sponsors of Icast Week 2015:  Gold – Crocodile Bay Resort;Costa; Discovery’s Destination America; Fishing Tackle Retailer; FLW, LLC; Florida Sportsman; Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation; Under Armour, Inc.; Visit Orlando; and World Fishing Network. Silver –American Tackle Company; In-Fisherman; Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corp; Pure Fishing, Inc.; and Wild Instinct Outdoors. Bronze – Beyond Coastal; Buck Knives; Chums; Classic Fishing Products, Inc.; EvoCaps;Grander Custom Tackle, LLC; H2Outdoors; and Sunsect, Inc. The list is current as of May 27, 2015.

Important Details

Friday, June 12, is the pre-registration deadline for exhibitors and attendees. Tickets for the Industry Breakfast ($40 each) and the Easton Corbin concert ($35 each) can be purchased at the same time as registration. If you have already registered, order tickets by calling Experient at (800) 424-5249 or log in to your account to order them online. Registration also is required for the icast Cup and the Bass & Birdies Classic. Proceeds from the kickoff concert and both tournaments support ASA’s KeepAmericaFishing® angler advocacy campaign. Badges are required for all events. Badges will not be mailed this year—they need to be picked up on site.  The Icast mobile app improves your Icast experience with maps and information on events, business sessions, and exhibitors. To download the app to your smart device, visitwww.icastfishing.org and scan the QR code on the homepage or look for Icast Fishing in your device’s app store. The app is supported by Apple, Android and Blackberry. If you downloaded it last year, you can update it automatically for 2015 by simply opening up the app.