Sportfishing, Fly Fishing Associations Will Collocate Shows Next Year in Las Vegas
September 17, 2012
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) decided collocating their shows under one roof next year was a good move for both trade groups.
From July 10-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, ASA’s International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, and AFFTA’s International Fly Tackle Dealer Show, known as IFTD, will be together for the first time.
"By joining forces with ICAST and ASA to bring IFTD to Las Vegas in 2013, we are collectively creating what will truly be the largest recreational fishing show in the world," said AFFTA President Ben Bulis.
He added, "This is a tremendous opportunity for the fly fishing industry and AFFTA's board of directors encourages all AFFTA members to take advantage of this opportunity to explore a new and innovative option to grow and improve our collective business interests."
Both ASA and AFFTA will each manage its own trade show, but will combine some functions, such as show registration, the show directory and having the same show hours, according to show officials.
"ASA's board of directors is pleased that AFFTA has decided to partner with ASA to create an expanded trade show venue that will have a positive impact on our entire industry," said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman.
He added, "By combining both shows in one venue, we can expand the business opportunities for both trade shows in terms of increasing international attendance, as well as buyers and media located in the U.S. which will benefit both organizations. If an individual is on the fence about attending one show or the other or both; we've now eliminated that barrier."
The collocation isn’t without some headaches though, with Bulis saying there are issues such as future locations, dates or potential partnerships or integrations with other existing shows that will need to be considered.
“All of that said, there is really no perfect answer; no solution that is going to please everyone,” he added. “We do agree that we need to try something that is significantly different, and we need to continue to explore new and innovative options to grow and improve our annual show event.”
ICAST wrapped its show in July at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando with 9,000 attendees, a 23-percent increase, compared with last year’s show that ranked No. 149 on the 2011 TSNN Top 250.
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