Largest tackle show goes virtual

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  • ICAST has gone virtual this year due to the coronavirus outbreak. Courtesy
    ICAST has gone virtual this year due to the coronavirus outbreak. Courtesy
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The repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis are far reaching, and new bumps in the road continue to surface each day. Add ICAST 2020 to the budding list of unfortunate victims claimed by the costly, worldwide pandemic.

ICAST is short for the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades show produced by the American Sportfishing Association. The Virginia-based ASA has been around more than 80 years, most of it spent working hard to ensure the future of sportfishing and everything it stands for.

ICAST is the ASA’s flagship event. In existence for more than 60 years, ICAST is recognized as the biggest fishing industry shindig on the planet.

On April 17, American Sportfishing Association president Glenn Hughes released an announcement that the “physical” portion of ICAST 2020 won’t happen as planned, but that a “virtual trade show” is in the works.

The show, originally scheduled for July 14-17 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., has been called off due to the wide range of challenges and issues that continue to mount with the outbreak.

The decision to cancel the in-person show came in the names of safety, logistics and responsibility, according to Hughes.

Organizers say ICAST’s main event—the New Product Showcase—will still be in the mix. Exhibitors will have the ability to upload new products for online viewing. Registered buyers and media will vote digitally for the 30 Best of Category products, leading up to the overall Best of Show award.

While a virtual exhibit of new products is sure to better than none at all, the one-on-one interaction opportunities between buyers, sellers and press corps that an event like ICAST provides are sure to missed.

That’s word from Gary Dollahon, a public relations and marketing specialist based in Tulsa, Okla., home to Major League Fishing.

Dollahon has been active in the fishing industry since 1984. His agency represents some of fishing’s heaviest hitting brands for PRADCO, one of nation’s leading manufacturers of fishing tackle and other outdoor products.

“Most fishing tackle companies have already presented to the major customers they deal with by the time ICAST takes place, but the show does present a good opportunity to follow up with those contacts and interact one one-on-one,” he said. “Besides that, I think the biggest takeaway is you lose what has become a good chance to walk away with a feel for the prominent pulse of the industry a whole. You leave there knowing whether things are up, down or flat. It gives you a good idea what you have to look forward to during the coming year.”