For
Immediate Release
American Sportfishing Association (ASA)
Sportfishing
Industry Awards 2008 "Best of Show" Honors
14 companies take top
honors during world's largest sportfishing
trade show
July
18, 2008 - Las Vegas, Nev. “The Curado
E Series, from Shimano American, was voted by
buyers and media as the most innovative product
in the ICAST 2008 New Product Showcase in both
the Freshwater Reel category and the overall "Best
of Show."
In
2008, ICAST's 51st year, the New Product Showcase
was more competitive than ever. Sponsored by
Fishing Tackle Retailer, 190 companies entered
695 tackle products and accessories into the
New Product Showcase. The showcase is the flagship
feature of the International Convention of Allied
Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the sportfishing
industry's premier trade event produced by the
American Sportfishing Association (ASA).
The
51st annual show was held at the Las Vegas Convention
Center, July 16-18, 2008. This year's New Product
Showcase winner's included three first-time ICAST
exhibitors. The Stonze System from Pallatrax
won best terminal tackle, the BioPulse
Lure from Mystic Tackleworks, Inc., won best
hard lure and the Zip Vac Jumbo
Vacuum Storage Bags from CTI Industries Corp.,
won best fishing accessory.
"It's
a real privilege to be named a winner after
all the hard work we put into our product.
To receive a Best of Show honor during our
first year of exhibiting at ICAST is an honor," said
Ric Ice, president, Mystic Tackleworks, Inc.
Making
up a special section of ICAST's 350,000-square-foot
show floor, the New Product Showcase gives the
industry's latest innovations in gear and accessories
special visibility during the show. There are
more than 7,000 representatives of the global
sportfishing community in attendance with nearly
2,000 buyers and over 400 media representatives
in Las Vegas for the world's largest sportfishing
trade show.
Bert's
Custom Tackle, E21 Fishing, Old Harbor Outfitters,
Pure Fishing, Shakespeare and Shimano American
are all repeat winners.
"Each
year, the competition for top honors in the New
Product Showcase gets more intense and the products
get more innovative," said Mike Nussman,
ASA's president and CEO. "My congratulations
go to all of the winners for being judged as
best of show by the buyers and media attending
ICAST. I also want to thank everyone who participated
in the New Product Showcase who worked hard to
develop these new innovations in gear and accessories."
Buyers
and media representatives judged the products
based on their levels of innovation, execution,
workmanship and practicality to select "Best
of Show" honors in 17 categories, as well
as the overall "Best of Show" winner.
The
American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is
the sportfishing industry's trade association,
committed to looking out for the interests
of the entire sportfishing community. We give
the industry a unified voice, speaking out
on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries,
state and federal natural resource agencies,
conservation organizations, angler advocacy
groups and outdoor journalists when emerging
laws and policies could significantly affect
sportfishing business or sportfishing itself.
We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the
industry will remain strong and prosperous
as well as safeguard and promote the enduring
economic and conservation values of sportfishing
in America. ASA also represents the interests
of America's 40 million anglers who generate
over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125
billion impact on the nation's economy creating
employment for over one million people.
|
