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Biggest NPAA Conference set Jan. 4-6 in Minneapolis

 Nov 11th, 2012 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Nov 11th, 2012 at 12:00 AM

The early January tradition of one of the largest gatherings of anglers and fishing and marine industry leaders continues with the 2013 National Professional Anglers Association Annual Conference.  They will share their love of fishing and hear from experts to improve their collective goal of “Preserving and Protecting” the sport.

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“Preserve and Protect” is also the theme of the Jan. 4-6 Annual Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Suites near the Minneapolis airport.  NPAA Executive Director Pat Neu said, “This conference will set a new attendance mark, and is open to anyone interested in helping grow the sport of fishing.  Attendees will gain more knowledge about the income potential of their passion (fishing) in three days than they will on their own in 10 years.”

The keynote speaker is Gregg Wollner, Chairman of the board of directors of the American Sportfishing Association.  He is also Executive Vice-President of Rapala. 
At a recent ASA Sportfishing Summit, Wollner cited a US Fish and Wildlife Service survey showing recreational fishing up 11 percent, and said, “The efforts of all the association’s members are helping to ensure our industry’s future and that of the sport that we, and millions of Americans, call our number one pastime.”

The ASA has been committed to looking out for the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community for 75 years.  It hosts the largest sportfishing trade show, ICAST, with 9,000 industry representatives, 700 media and 2,600 buyers annually.  Recreational fishing generates more than $125 billion in economic output and more than 1,000,000 jobs.

The NPAA Conference begins Friday, Jan. 4, with a business meeting at 5 p.m., followed by a “meet and greet” session hosted by Worldwide Marine insurance and American Modern insurance.  The Saturday schedule includes presentations by Scott and Marty Glorvigen on public relations; Kristine Houtman on creating power point programs; an AIS update; tournament partner updates; a Q & A with a pro angler panel on fishing as a business; Noel Vick and Tom Neustrom on becoming a professional angler; FLW and BASS champion David Walker; information on the new Future Angler Foundation; outboard, boat and tackle company breakout sessions; and the keynote address by Gregg Wollner.

A series of informative educational classes are slated for Sunday morning.  Five sessions will be repeated hourly, and include effective writing by Dan Johnson; how to create fishing seminars that pay by Johnnie Candle; youth events and the new NPAA Future Pro program by Gregg Karch; and conducting a profitable guide business by Tony Roach. 

Registration materials are available by e-mailing [email protected] or going to the NPAA website at www.npaa.net starting November 15th.  Pre-registrations are due by Dec. 19 at a reduced rate of $50.  If weather conditions prohibit travel to Minneapolis, registration fees will be refunded.  Special lodging rates at the Crowne Plaza, 952-876-8707, are available with code: NPA.  

The NPAA is a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members.  Supporting partners include Navionics, Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Yamaha, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, The Next Bite, Oahe Wings and Walleyes Guide Service, Outdoor First Media, Pure Fishing, Fish On Kids Books, Advanced Tex Screen Printing, Worldwide Marine Insurance, FLW Outdoors, AIM, North American Media Group, Frabill, John Butts Outdoors, Cabela’s National Walleye Tour, J.J. Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, U.S. Forest Service, Great Lakes Sea Grant, FPS Financial Planning Services, Off-Shore Tackle, Warrior Boats, Fin-Tech Tackle, Kingfisher Boats, Liddle Marketing, Mutual of Omaha, Northland Fishing Tackle, Optima Batteries, Simms Fishing Products, Pasha Lake Cabins, National Fleet Graphics, Arrowhead Promotion, G2 Gemini, Bait Rigs, Fishouflage, Foley Belsaw Outdoors and High Tech Fishing.  More NPAA member and association news can be viewed at www.npaa.net. 

Pat Neu: NPAA headquarters, 920-856-6151.