Tackle Trade World - May 2024

FEATURE
ICAST
Surprising seminar series
delivers eye-opening lessons
ICAST Lunch & Learn has become a can’t-miss resource for staying on top of changing trends
in the business of recreational fishing.
The countdown to sportfishing’s
largest trade show is well under
way. Registration is open,
booths are being designed and
reservations are already being made for
ICAST 2024, presented by the American
Sportfishing Association.
And, while a village of fishing tackle
filled with thousands of new products
remains the irresistible lure to the annual,
summer event, veteran retailers know
there’s more to ICAST than placing orders
and perusing products.
Much to learn
Launched in 2021, Lunch & Learn brings
thousands of business leaders, innovators,
and entrepreneurs together each day to learn
about the state of the industry and emerging
technologies, among other things.
“I see people who attend Lunch & Learn
for the first time and their eyes open like,
‘Wow, there’s a lot going on out there’,”
said American conservation and outdoor
recreational industry analyst Rob Southwick.
“Business senses, the market and the
customer are constantly changing. Lunch &
Learn is a way to keep up on those changes.”
Southwick – the go-to source for some of
the sportfishing industry’s most insightful
analytics – has been a presenter at Lunch &
Learn since the beginning.
Last year, he was joined on stage by
Stephanie Vatalaro, senior vice-president
of communications for the Recreational
Boating & Fishing Foundation.
Stephanie is tasked with understanding
the ever-shifting trends of angler and boater
recruitment, retention and reactivation,
known as “R3”, to help the industry grow.
She also has access to the most up-to-date
data on consumer trends in the sportfishing
world, and she regularly doles out on stage
at Lunch & Learn. “Business owners should
be the visionaries,” said Vatalaro. “If they
understand what’s going on out there, they
can grow their bottom line and profit.”
Southwick and Vatalaro say audience
feedback is effervescent at ICAST. Despite
the fast-paced atmosphere, attendees
regularly make time to ask more questions,
network and connect. It’s commonplace to
hear more from Lunch & Learn attendees
after the weeklong event.
“Lunch & Learn sessions allow us an
opportunity to provide valuable information
to the industry,” added Vatalaro. “The
response to our sessions has been very
positive. Attendees have commended our
efforts, engaged with our collateral and
followed up with us in meaningful ways
after the show.”
Expert knowledge
For show officials, that message resonates
loud and clear. ICAST Lunch & Learn
seminars are making a much-anticipated
return in 2024 with a full slate of experts
taking the stage.
Southwick and Vatalaro will be there.
So too will an audience of attendees
who make time to take notes about fresh
new ideas that are worth their weight in
gold once they return to the day-to-day
routine of running their business.
“Business seminars like these might
cost people thousands of dollars,” said
ASA’s trade show & membership vice
president Blake Swango. “The take home
value of Lunch & Learn is tremendous.
It’s one of the events I most recommend
making time for at the show.”
Set for July 16th to 19th, online
registration for ICAST is already open.
Qualified attendees like tackle dealers
and other industry retailers can register
to join the collective global sportfishing
community there for free. To secure a
spot in Orlando, Florida this year, visit
the ICAST website.
ICAST
www. ICASTFishing.org
16 www.tackletradeworld.com