For the first time in over a year, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) was held in Orlando, FL. This trade show brought the fishing community together and allowed everyone to see new products and meet with representatives from over hundreds of fishing related companies. Thousands of attendees from were present at the international trade show and this marked one of the first large trade shows held at the Orlando Convention Center since the pandemic began in 2020. The latest edition of the show highlighted some of the current products and technology as well as introducing new products for 2022. Since this trade show represents the largest portion of the sportfishing industry, it offers great opportunities for companies to connect and possibly combine resources to achieve a parallel goal. 

The Billfish Foundation was able to reconnect with many friends, colleagues, sponsors and even several past board members. During the show, TBF met with our conservation partners like with Costa, Garmin Marine, Yeti, Casa Vieja Lodge, Fathom Offshore as well as other exhibitors to discuss advancing and strengthening in our partnerships for the future. Yeti additionally held a happy hour fundraiser one night and we greatly appreciate the continued efforts to support our mission. We look forward to having another one at their booth next year! We also want to congratulate our friends at Garmin Marine and Costa Sunglasses for winning awards at the show. 

This ICAST really gave all of us a great way to move forward with our plans for the foundation as well as to network and reconnect with the sportfishing industry.  We look forward to seeing everyone back at ICAST next year!