Thursday, August 07, 2008
Fishing for more
Bill Cochran
Recent mail
BILL: I was the chairman of the Star City Chapter of Ducks Unlimited back in 2002-2003. You helped me get the word out on our chapter. I left Roanoke in 2006 for a job that more reflected my professional background, and I am now on the staff of the ICAST fishing tackle show sponsored by the American Sportsfishing Association.
I read your column about Bruce Stanton (see last week’s Cochran col.). Thanks for posting such a positive outlook on the show and the state of the industry. We at ASA are working diligently on getting more kids out fishing. Some of the work is through our two foundations, FishAmerica Foundation and Future Fisherman Foundation, but also through the Anglers’ Legacy.
Bruce couldn’t be more correct about the importance of passing on the fishing legacies to our youth.
I was in charge of selling booth space for the ICAST Show. It was great to see all the larger companies at the show, but more important to see all the startups during this time of a soft economy.
With the markets the way they are, ICAST has become even more important to buyers and exhibitors. Reps can’t afford to travel like they have in year’s past, so they try to meet manufacturers at the show. The same can be said of retailers and wholesale distributors. It is our job to create a buyer friendly environment at the show and encourage manufacturers to take advantage of the marketing we offer an exhibitor.
Next year’s ICAST show is in Orlando, and we are looking for even to better results. I feel we have a great opportunity to reach more dealers in the Southeast, which is the strongest buying market in our industry.
KENNETH ANDRES
America Sportfishing Association
Alexandria
