Consumer Shows Good Catch for Association

The American Sportfishing Assn. has added to its holdings with the acquisition of four East Coast consumer shows.

The landing of Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition gives the Alexandria, Va.-based association a presence on both coasts, since for the past seven years it has helped produce Fred Hall's three West Coast fishing shows. In addition, each July the association puts on ICAST, which draws about 6,500 attendees to a 250,000 net square foot showfloor with 400 exhibitors.

"It's a natural fit for us," said association spokeswoman Mary Jane Williamson. "We have a long history of internally producing tradeshows, as well as years working with the Fred Hall shows."

After 30 years, Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition founder Paul Fuller was interested in selling the business, Williamson said. Fuller will stay on as a consultant, and his four staff members will continue running the shows through this year.

Three of the shows are well-established. They include the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, set for Feb. 9–12 in Worcester, Mass.; World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, scheduled March 2–5 in Suffern, N.Y.; and the World Fly Fishing Exposition March 10–12 in Wilmington, Mass. The Saltwater Fishing Expo is being launched March 17–19 in Somerset, N.J.

The Suffern show is the largest, drawing about 50,000 attendees. The 30-year-old Worcester event is the oldest.

Fuller said the association should help bring new ideas and excitement. In addition, proceeds from the shows will now go toward conservation and developing new fisheries and anglers. "It's a very large association. It was time to usher in new management," he said.

Through a joint venture, the association and Fred Hall & Associates produce Fred Hall's Fishing Tackle & Boat Shows in San Francisco, San Diego and Long Beach, Calif. The San Francisco show was held Jan. 4–8 at the Cow Palace, while the Long Beach show is scheduled March 2–6 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and the San Diego show March 15–19 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Long Beach show is the largest of the three, drawing up to 700 exhibitors each year.

Williamson said the joint venture with Fred Hall has benefited the association. "It allows us to get the message of what we do to the consumer, and it provides a venue for the industry. Because of the success of that, we as an association decided that it might be worth our while to explore other opportunities."

ICAST, billed as the nation's largest sport fishing tradeshow, will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center July 19–21 this year. Rick Ice, ASA membership director, said Las Vegas has proven a suitable location for the nearly 50-year-old show, since the city offers a variety of price ranges for accommodations and dining. ICAST occasionally rotates to the East Coast, he said, such as in 2009 when it will be held in Orlando.