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.
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