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Fishing Tackle Retailer calls 2013 ICAST best yet

Category: notes

 Aug 6th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Aug 6th, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Was this year’s ICAST the best one yet? For most of us who were able to attend, yes it was. For those who were not there, it probably wasn’t, but surely you wish you could have been there. This year’s show was full of innovative new equipment, technological advancements, a few surprises and a great opportunity to make new friends and reconnect with friends from across the country.

If you break down just the numbers, approximately 9,500 representatives from the various aspects of the fishing community attended this year’s event. There was also an additional 700 fellow media members who reported on the show’s events and highlights. One of the growing trends this year was the use of social media on the show floor by attendees, exhibitors and of course media members, and how quickly non-attending members of the fishing community were able to connect with the show no matter where they were.

This year was also the first year that ICAST and IFTD (International Fly Tackle Dealer) combined their respective shows, and it looks to many to be a match made in heaven. Many retailers and buyers commented on how nice it was in an unsure economy to attend only one show yet be able to see both conventional and fly fishing tackle at the same time. Due to the co-locating of the shows, many non-fly fishing buyers experienced their first opportunity to see what the fly community already knows: there are just as many great manufacturers on their side of the fishing aisle as there is on the conventional fishing side. For those that enjoyed this co-locating of the two shows, great news – it will happen again next year when ICAST and IFTD both head to Orlando, Florida.

For more information check out Fishing Tackle Retailer Magazine.