ICAST 2021

Welcome Back! to the largest recreational fishing trade show in the world We are so excited to bring you ICAST 2021. Our industry needs and wants this show – to reignite, recommit and reconnect. This year, more than ever, you are in the right place at the right time. This is about your business, your trade show and your industry.

Like you, we missed the face-to-face interaction, the handshakes and bear hugs and sharing a cold beverage or two. It’s at ICAST where relationships are built. Where you’ll see all the new and innovative products and learn about the issues that impact your business. We want to thank the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s Take Me Fishing™ brand for being this year’s presenting sponsor and supporting the State of the Industry Breakfast and the Lunch & Learn business seminar series. We thank all our ICAST 2021 sponsors for their commitment to ICAST and our industry. We’re sure you’ll agree that 2020 was a year like no other. We’re grateful that millions of people turned to fishing as a safe and enjoyable way to get outdoors. In turn, this had an unforeseen impact on the sportfishing industry. Across the board, 2020 sales were higher than anyone expected; and we wish you continued success through the rest of 2021 and beyond. This year, it’s critical that we learn how to keep these anglers, many who tried recreational fishing for the first time. On Wednesday morning, our State of the Industry Breakfast keynote speaker, Jay Baer, will tell us how to do just that. Later that morning, he’ll follow up with a Lunch & Learn business seminar to take you deeper

into the customer service experience with his strategies for success. Check the Lunch & Learn schedule for all the excellent seminars we have lined up this week. We invite you to take advantage of all the show’s special events: On The Water product demonstrations; the ICAST Cup Bass Fishing Tournament; the New Product Showcase; the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception; the “Best of Show” award presentation; and the daily happy hours in participating exhibitors’ booths. While we’ll miss our colleagues; this show is about you and those who understand the value of coming together to experience everything that ICAST means to our industry –seeing new products, doing business and renewing friendships. You know that. That’s why you are here celebrating this week and planning for your future. And while you are here, let us know what you think. What do you need that will add more value and return on your ICAST investment? We are listening and want to make this week your most important, productive and profitable one of the year. With your participation at ICAST, you are helping us move mountains with policy makers in D.C. and across the country, all while getting more people out fishing. We’ll see you ON the show floor!

Jesse Simpkins ASA Board of Directors Chairman Vice President of Marketing, St. Croix Rod

Glenn Hughes President American Sportfishing Association

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