Sportfishing Industry Awards 2009 "Best of Show" Honors

October 13, 2009

Orlando, Florida - ICAST 2009, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, the world's largest sportfishing tradeshow, is in full swing from July 15-17, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Over 7,200 representatives from the sportfishing industry, including over 2,200 buyers and over 500 media representatives, are gathered to see the latest innovations in tackle, gear and apparel and network with the global sportfishing community. The sportfishing industry's premier trade event is produced by theAmerican Sportfishing Association (ASA), the industry's trade association which is headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

This year, the 52nd year of ICAST, the New Product Showcase, the tradeshow's flagship event, was more competitive than ever. Sponsored by ESPN Outdoors/BASS, 208 exhibiting companies entered 600 tackle products and accessories into the New Product Showcase. The product category with the most product submissions was the hard lure category.

This year the Hobie Cat Mirage Pro Angler, both a boat and a kayak, was voted by buyers and media as the most innovative product in theICAST 2009 New Product Showcase in both the Marine category and the overall "Best of Show."

This year's New Product Showcase winner's also included first-time ICAST exhibitors Cablz, Inc., USA Custom Rods and Better Bait Systems. Eight returning ICAST exhibitors were also first-time winners. They are: Durasafe, Master Vision, Ross Reels USA/Ross Worldwide Outdoors, Sebile USA and Hobie Cat. Three 2008 showcase winners - Shimano American Corporation, Pure Fishing and Plano Molding Company - also won won Best of Show honors in 2009.

"Each year, I am amazed by the quality of new products that are unveiled at the New Product Showcase and this year was no different," said Mike Nussman, ASA's president and CEO. "I congratulate all of the winners and everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase, from the companies who worked hard to develop these innovations to the buyers and media who served as judges."

Making up a special section of ICAST's 400,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase provides special visibility for the industry's latest 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.

2009 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners
For product details, images and other information please contact the individual award winners listed below.

Overall Best of Show - Hobie Cat - Hobie Mirage Pro Angler
Contact: Vince Console: 760-271-8980; vconsole@hobiecat.com

Apparel - Cablz, Inc. - Cablz
Contact: Holly Williams: 205-222-4477; holly@cablzeyewear.com

Electronics - Lowrance-Navico - Lowrance HDS-10
Contact: Gordon Sprouse - 918-607-6670; gordon.sprouse@navico.com

Eyewear - Costa Del Mar Sunglasses - Zane
Contact: Dave Bulthuis - 561-866-0972, 800-447-3700 x114; dbulthuis@costadelmar.com

Fishing Accessory - Durasafe - Codeable Locks
Contact: Cathy Kraatz - 262-544-5615; ckraatz@durasafe-usa.com

Terminal Tackle - Better Bait Systems - Circle Hook Rig
Contact: Charles Fricke - 305-481-0849; betterbaitsys@yahoo.com
In 2010, ICAST will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 14-16, 2010. ICAST 2011 will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 13-15, 2011.

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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 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 60 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.

Contact:
Mary Jane Williamson (703) 519-9691 x 227 or mjwilliamson@asafishing.org

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