The largest International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades show is wrapping up today at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., with a record 11,000 registered attendees, 480 exhibitors and 1,000 media and editorial members, according to communications director Mary Jane Williamson.
“There’s always a high energy level here, and the sheer large number of people here this year added to the excitement,” Williamson told Trade Only Today this morning. “From everyone I have talked to, it was a great show. That is the message I am hearing.”
This is the second year that ICAST, produced by the American Sportfishing Association, and the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show, produced by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, have co-located the two association trade shows. The show was held in Las Vegas last year; the 2015 show will be held in Orlando again.
ICAST stands out as a venue for the largest display of fishing products and accessories in the United States.
This year, more than 700 tackle products and accessories were entered by 253 companies into 24 “Best of Show” categories in the New Product Showcase, all vying for the overall ICAST 2014 “Best of Show” award.
Making up a special section of ICAST’s 500,000-gross-square-foot show floor, the showcase provides special visibility for the industry’s latest innovations in gear, apparel and accessories.
This year, the Predator XL kayak, by Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, was voted by buyers and media as the best product in the boat category and as the overall Best of Show.
The awards were:
2014 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners
For product details, images and other information, please contact the individual award winners’ contacts listed below.
ICAST 2014 Overall Best of Show — Johnson Outdoors Watercraft
Product: Predator XL
Media Contact: Jim Edlundjim@traditionsmedia.com
Booth: 1019
Best of Show — Freshwater Rod — Duckett Fishing
Product: Micro Magic Pro
Media Contact: Sean Schuyler sean@duckettfishing.com
Booth: 2625
Best of Show —Saltwater Rod — Shimano American Corp.
Product: Terez Stand Up
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Booth: 1077
Best of Show — Fly Fishing Rod — G. Loomis, Inc.
Product: PRO4x Short Stix
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Booth: 1277
Best of Show — Freshwater Reel — Pure Fishing Inc.
Product: Abu-Revo Beast
Media Contact: Ron Giudice ron@blueheroncomm.com
Booth: 1977
Best of Show — Saltwater Reel — Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: PENN Battle II Spinning
Media Contact: Ron Giudice ron@blueheroncomm.com
Booth: 1977
Best of Show — Fly Fishing Reel — 3TAND, LLC
Product: TF-70 Sealed Fly Reel
Media Contact:Ron Poehailos ron@3tand.com
Booth: 1020
Best of Show — Hard Lure — SPRO Corp.
Product: BBZ-1 Rat
Media Contact: Syd Rivessyd@spro.com
Booth: 2157
Best of Show — Soft Lure — Okuma Fishing Tackle Corp.
Product: Savage Gear 3D PVC Crab
Media Contact: Brandon Cottonbrandon.cotton@okumfishing.com
Booth: 1100
Best of Show — Lifestyle Apparel — Pelagic Inc.
Product: 4TEK Fish Finder Boardshort
Media Contact: Colin Sarfehcolin@pelagicgear.com
Booth: 1710
Best of Show — Technical Apparel — STORMR
Product: Fusion Bib
Media Contact: Nick Lassor nick@stormrusa.com
Booth: 2231
Best of Show — Boating Accessory — Johnson Outdoors
Product: Minn Kota Ulterra Trolling Motor
Media Contact:Jim Edlundjim@traditionsmedia.com
Booth: 1041
Best of Show — Boats — Johnson Outdoors Watercraft
Product: Predator XL
Media Contact: Jim Edlundjim@traditionsmedia.com
Booth: 1019
Best of Show – Combo – Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: American Hero Baitcast Combo
Media Contact:Gary Dollahongary@dollahonpr.com
Booth: 1132
Best of Show – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors
Product: Humminbird ONIX 8SI
Media Contact:Jim Edlundjim@traditionsmedia.com
Booth: 1041
Best of Show - Eyewear – Costa
Product: Hamlin - 580P Mirror Lenses
Media Contact: Liza Jonesliza@fullcirclepr.com
Booth: 1257
Best of Show - Fishing Accessory– Lit-Industries, LLC
Product: Lit Coolers
Media Contact: Lucas Hyes lhyes@litcoolers.com
Booth: 1605
Best of Show – FishSmart Tackle – Cuda Fishing Tools
Product: Cuda Grip & Scale
Media Contact: Geri Adler gadler@acmeunited.com
Booth: 2585
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Accessory – Plastica Panaro SRL
Product: M2300 – Fly Caddy
Media Contact: Lucio Sirottilsirotti@plasticapanaro.it
Booth: 2336
Best of Show – Footwear – Columbia Sportswear
Product: Megavent PFG
Media Contact: Krysti Tonkin ktonkin@columbia.com
Booth: 1437
Best of Show – Giftware – Helter Skeletons, Ltd.
Product: Authentic Skeletal Articulation
Media Contact: Frick Aultsales@helterskeletons.com
Booth: 2510
Best of Show - Kids’ Tackle – ZEBCO Brands
Product: ZEBCO Splash Combos
Media Contact: Ron Giudice ron@blueheroncomm.com
Booth: 1477
Best of Show – Line – Pure Fishing, Inc
Product: Berkley IronSilk
Media Contact: Ron Giudice ron@blueheroncomm.com
Booth: 1977
Best of Show - Tackle Management – ENGEL U.S.A.
Product: UC30-RH
Media Contact: Rick Hauser rchauser@gmail.com
Booth: 1828
Best of Show Terminal Tackle – Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle
Product: TroKar TK619
Media Contact: Nickie Kiefer nkiefer@eagleclaw.com
Booth: 3285
