From Massachusetts to New Jersey, tens of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts demonstrated their dedication and enthusiasm for fishing, hunting and the outdoors by gearing up and learning a myriad of new tricks of the trade for the upcoming season from some of the world’s best professional anglers and hunters during the ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition’s shows held this past February and March.
The four shows are produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the sportfishing industry’s trade association, under its Northeast consumer-show management company Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expositions. The shows were held in Worcester, Mass.; Philadelphia, Pa., Suffern, New York; and Somerset, New Jersey. “This was the inaugural year for the Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow and despite a hefty amount of snow on Thursday and Friday in the Philadelphia area, the show exceeded attendance projections,” said Show Director Jonathan Sauers, “In fact, total show attendance was up 4 percent over last year.”
According to Sauers, exhibitors at all four shows were pleased with attendance “I heard great things from our exhibitors from, ‘We always do well at these shows,’ to ‘Of any show at which I’ve exhibited, I had my best day ever in terms of retail sales on Saturday at the new Greater Philadelphia Sportshow. We’ll be back next year,'” said Sauers. “These comments are a testament to the value of the shows for both exhibitors and attendees alike.”
“ASA’s Northeast consumer shows help the industry by jump starting retail sales and providing an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to learn about new products directly from the manufacturers,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “This year’s attendance numbers demonstrate how important these shows are to outdoor enthusiasts in the Northeast who came to gear up for the spring season.”
The shows featured full schedules of seminars and special events to provide outdoor enthusiasts hands on preparation to improve their fishing and hunting skills. Some of the world’s most famous professional anglers and hunters provided knowledge to show attendees. The 2010 Bassmaster Classic Champion Kevin VanDam took part in the Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow just days after winning his third Bassmaster Classic.
ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition would like to thank its 2010 sponsors for their support of the shows. The World Fishing Network was the presenting sponsor of the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition and the Greater Philadelphia and Outdoor Sportshow. STIHL was the presenting sponsor of the World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition. Additional sponsors were: Anglers’ Legacy; Ardent Reels; Cabot Cheese; Cannon; Fishouflage; Ford; Humminbird; Kittery Trading Post; Mittatchii; New Jersey Bass Federation; Nikon; On The Water Magazine; Picasso; Plano Molding Company; Quantum; Shimano; TRU-TUNGSTEN; and the Zancudo Lodge.
The 2011 show schedule is:
February 10-13, 2011 – Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Worcester, Mass.
February 24-27, 2011 – Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow, Oaks, Pa,
March 3-6, 2011 – World Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Suffern, New York
March 18-20, 2011 – The Saltwater Fishing Expo, Somerset, New Jersey
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), under its consumer-show management com?pany, ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, is a leader in consumer-show management in the Eastern United States, showcasing fishing, hunting and other outdoor sports for enthusiasts. Since 1933, ASA has represented the sportfishing industry and the larger sportfishing community working to safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of America’s outdoor heritage.
