NPAA Executive Director Says ‘Save This Important Date’
Feb 25th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Feb 25th, 2013 at 12:00 AM
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Forestville, WI-The National Professional Anglers Association continues to grow membership and supporting partners. “The January conference broke all previous attendance records, and for that reason we’re going back to the Crown Plaza near the Minneapolis airport for the fourth year,” Pat Neu, NPAA executive director said. Dates are January 3rd-5th, 2014 and he added, “Save this important date, and make plans for an even bigger event next year.”
The NPAA Annual Conference has become one of the industry’s “can’t miss” events, with 250 members and partners learning from each other, from the major presenters and at the breakout workshops. The NPAA’s mission of preserving and protecting the sport of fishing while increasing the professionalism of their Members is shared throughout keynote addresses by industry and business leaders, top tournament anglers, media, technical experts, and others.
Neu said, “No other event in the fishing world offers the networking opportunities, valuable content and enjoyment for those who are looking to grow the sport and increase their professionalism.” Highlights from the recent conference are featured on npaa.net. The 2014 event will again include a benefit banquet for the Future Angler Foundation on Saturday night.
One of the 2013 presenters was Fishing Hall of Fame angler and well-known northern Minnesota guide Tom Neustrom. He offered advice on becoming a professional angler. He said, “The NPAA is a family. We’re friends. We teach each other. This association drives us to be better.” He admitted that a career as a pro angler starts with being able to catch fish, but added, “Today you have to be good at other things like marketing and promoting.”
Since aspiring pro anglers seek sponsorship in the form of product and cash from companies and businesses in the tackle and marine industries and from Main Street, Neustrom offered these tips for success.
* Fishing ability is the springboard; use it to move to the next level.
* Tell potential clients (those who might be sponsors) what you can do to increase their sales – and produce sales.
*Tell them how you can make their cash register ring.
*When on board, continue to prove to them that your efforts are making an impact.
* Turn every promotion into sales.
* Do in-stores to sell product.
*Communicate with company sales reps, pro staff and company managers.
* Keep a log of all contacts and copy sponsors to answer their question, “What have you done for me lately.”
*Be a good listener; talk to everybody; pay attention to kids.
* As a promoter, the pro angler should never be bigger than the brand.
* Customers are much smarter than ever before; know the product line thoroughly.
*Look the part; be professional.
* Have a plan.
* Use social media; be consistent with messages; build an audience and share sponsor product information with them.
*Work with writers; be proactive and call radio and newspaper reporters.
* Always be positive.
Neustrom has been a full-time fishing guide for 34 years, and the tips listed above are reasons he’s in such demand – by customers wanting to catch fish and sponsors who want to have their products featured in his boat. He can be reached at 218-327-2312, or mnfishingconnections.com.
Neustrom’s presentation in January is representative of the type of information that is conveyed at the NPAA Annual Conference. The three Conference days offer an unmatched forum for exchange of information on how to take angler’s passion and turn it into a way to share the sport. Don’t miss this great event. For additional information on the Conference and the NPAA contact Pat Neu, Executive Director at (920)856-6151 or go to the NPAA website at www.npaa.net .
The NPAA is a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members. Supporting Partners include: Advanced Tex Screen-Printing, Cabela’s National Walleye Tour, The Walleye Federation, Evinrude Outboards, Fishouflage, Frabill, Plano, Great Lakes Sea Grant, Lund Boat Co, Mercury Marine, Milwaukee Muskie Expo, Navionics, Nebulus Flotation, Optima Batteries, Outdoor First Media, PK Lures, Pure Fishing, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, The Next Bite, The Reel Shot-Home of the J.J. Keller Fishing Team, U.S. Forest Service, Wildlife Forever, Worldwide Marine Underwriters, Yamaha Motor Co., Arrowhead Promotion and Fulfillment, Bait Rigs, G2-Gemini, Kingfisher, Liddle Marketing Company, Motor Guide, Mutual of Omaha, National Fleet Graphics, Northland Fishing Tackle, Oahe Wings and Walleyes, Off Shore Tackle, Pasha Lake Cabins, PK Lures, RDM Insurance Company, Simms Fishing, SmarTech Inc., Warrior Boats, High Tech Fishing, Financial Planning Services, Lowe Manufacturing Co Inc, and O2 Marine Technologies Inc. More NPAA annual conference, member and association news can be viewed at www.npaa.net.
Pat Neu: NPAA headquarters – (920)856-6151