The epicenter of sport fishing returns to Orlando this July for the largest display of fishing tackle on the planet.
Celebrating its 66th year, the International Sport Fishing Allied Trades Convention, better known as ICAST, returns to Orlando, Fla. and the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) July 11-14 for the show. largest sport fishing commercial on the planet. Produced annually by the American Game Fishing Association (ASA), the show is the largest single event for the recreational fishing trade.
“ICAST is the cornerstone of the global sport fishing industry,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “ICAST is where the connections are made that create business opportunities for our industry. It is also where most of the new products make their debut in the fishing market.”
ICAST offers more than 12,000 attendees representing dozens of countries the opportunity to see and interact with thousands of products from hundreds of manufacturers showcasing colorful lures, clothing and boats, shiny marine electronics, and multicolored rods and reels. Board manufacturers, retailers, distributors and a host of global media mingle at this annual event.
“We have over 600 companies on the show floor,” said Blake Swango, Vice President of Membership and Trade Shows. “Many of them work year-round to develop and launch new products at the show to take advantage of the tremendous mix of buyers and media converging on Orlando.”
“Flying Higher in 2023
Recognized as the standard bearer for traditional fishing tackle, this year ICAST has greatly expanded its fly fishing footprint on the show floor. Distributors and the media can view fly fishing demos and try out new fly fishing products at the FlyCASTing Pond, as well as view all the products at the new ICAST Fly Shop booth.
“We are delighted with our exhibitor’s response to the opportunity to showcase their fly tackle, equipment and clothing at the ICAST Fly Shop booth,” said Swango. “Located next to the New Product Showcase, we recreated a true fly fishing ‘shop’, with the support of Orlando area guides and fly shop owners, where show attendees can view the products and tie a few flies” .
In addition to the ICAST Fly Shop, six new fly fishing categories have been added to the prestigious New Product Showcase, sponsored by Fishing tackle retailerwhere the best of the best new products are highlighted every year.
Starting Super Tuesday
ICAST kicks off on Tuesday, July 11 when attendees and professional anglers converge on beautiful Lake Toho to compete in the ICAST Cup Bass Fishing Tournament. Sponsored by Major League Fishing, the bass tournament pairs respected professional bass anglers with tackle dealers, members of the media and manufacturers in a duel in the South that benefits Keep America Fishing. Takeoff begins at 5:30 a.m. and weigh-in follows at 9:00 a.m.
From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, buyers and media gather outside the OCCC for On The Water product demo day. In the ponds outside the north building, the latest SUPs and kayaks join an outdoor gathering of ICAST exhibitors offering opportunities to try out their rods, reels and lures for hands-on testing. Adjacent food and refreshment stands add to the excitement of the chance to see the latest equipment first hand.
An expanded display of new products
With six new fly fishing categories and two new boating accessory categories, the ICAST New Product Showcase includes more exciting new products than ever before. Accredited media and dealers get their first in-person look at this expansive gallery featuring hundreds of new tackle, apparel, and lifestyle products at the New Product Showcase Preview Reception Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Buyers and media have the opportunity to vote in the ICAST Best of Show Awards while entering their name into a drawing for a chance to win one of three $500 cash prizes.
New Product Showcase tickets will be available for viewing on the ICAST app and the ICAST website beginning at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 11. Images, descriptions, and video of the rigs, apparel, and accessories debuting in 2023 are open for viewing. by attendees and the general public.
Best of ICAST Awards Presentations
On Wednesday night, the results of the dedicated design, research and development teams come full circle at the industry awards reception.. A heightened aura of anticipation fills the OCCC ballroom as the voting results for the New Product Showcase Awards are announced on stage. Surrounded by peers and industry media, this is manufacturers’ night to shine as product category winners are announced, trophies are presented and the stage is set for ICAST’s most coveted award.
Category winners move on to a special round of voting where they are pitted against each other for the overall Best of Show award, which will be announced Thursday at 2:00 pm at the New Product Showcase.
A highly anticipated breakfast event
One of the biggest events in the fishing industry takes place Wednesday morning at the State of the Industry Breakfast, sponsored by the Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation. A who’s who of game fishing decision makers settle in for a State of the Industry address from ASA President Glenn Hughes, along with opening remarks from ASA Board Chairman Phil Lillo , owner of Don Coffey Co. These annual presentations detail what’s most important from across the industry. issues within the sport fishing community and serve as a launching pad for the popular breakfast main feature.
This year’s keynote speaker is Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut and professor of engineering at Columbia University. He is a veteran of two space flights. He holds a team record for the number of hours spent spacewalking on a single space shuttle mission and was also the first person to tweet from space.
Tickets for the breakfast are $40 and can be purchased through the registration portal.
Business seminars add tremendous value
Incredible value awaits at ICAST for attendees who take advantage of the show’s Lunch & Learn business seminars. Each day, a special area on the show floor is home to experts in content marketing, social media, customer engagement and conservation issues who share their extensive knowledge with everyone.
“These seminars are just an exceptional value,” Swango said. “If attendees signed up for these courses individually, it could cost thousands of dollars. But they’re part of ICAST for free, and the speakers are really top-notch.”
Added value from start to finish
ICAST attendees are invited to enjoy a host of interactive activities on the exhibit floor. In the lure tank, Sponsored by Lunkerville, visitors can see how the new hard and soft lures work both above and below the water. In addition to the FLYCasting Pond, the adjacent ICASTing Pond serves up the best in spinning and baitcasting rods and reels for freshwater and saltwater applications.
The Marine Accessories Pavilion, presented by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) brings dozens of boating accessories, electronics and propellers to center stage in a home dedicated to all things boating.
And every day, ICAST’s famous social hour kicks off at 4:00 p.m., where a variety of booths offer cold drinks, live music, and networking opportunities before attendees spill onto International Drive for dinners and meetings. Post-show dining at the variety of restaurants serving global flavors just outside the OCCC gates. Many restaurants and venues offer discounts with your ICAST card.
Exhibitors offering special shows
Buyers should take advantage of ICAST exclusive special offers offered by more than 100 exhibitors. Offers include product and service discounts, cash back, free shipping, dozens of bakery deals, and much more.
There are daily cash prizes just for writing orders at the fair. The grand prize winner, chosen Friday, is a trip for two to Crocodile Bay Resort, the best fishing in Costa Rica.
Navigate the show with the ICAST app
Loaded with useful features, the ICAST mobile app, sponsored by Bonnier Corporation, is a one-stop-shop for maps, event schedules, booth locations, and exhibitor listings. Available on Android and Apple devices, the app is a convenient digital companion for keeping a busy week organized.
Keep up with ICAST
ICAST can be found on social media at: Facebook – @icastfishing – Instagram – @icastshow and Twitter – @ICASTshow. When posting, use hashtags: #ICAST2023 #ICASTshow #ICAST.
Thanks to the sponsors of ICAST 2023!
ASA extends our sincerest thanks and appreciation to our sponsoring members for their generous support of ICAST 2023. Sponsorship opportunities are still available at a wide variety of price points. Contact Blake Swango for more information.
Platinum:Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, UnderArmour and Wired2Fish
Gold:Crocodile Bay, Engel refrigerators, Fishing tackle retailerGarmin, Major League Fishing, Visit Orlando and Waypoint
Silver:AFTCO, ANYTHING possible Brands, Bonnier Corporation, Lunkerville and Marsh Wear
The American Sport Fishing Association (ASA) is the trade association for the sport fishing industry committed to representing the interests of the sport fishing and boating industries, as well as the entire sport fishing community. We provide the industry and anglers with a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect the sport fishing business or sport fishing itself. ASA invests in companies for the long term to ensure the industry remains strong and prosperous, as well as to safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation, and social values of America’s sport fishing. ASA also gives America’s 55 million fishermen a voice in political decisions that affect their ability to fish sustainably in our nation’s waterways through Keep America Fishing, our national fisherman advocacy campaign. America’s fishermen generate more than $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating jobs for 825,000 people.