The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced today that NMMA has acquired the rights to ASA’s four consumer shows: the Chicagoland Fishing Travel & Outdoor Expo, the Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow, the World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition and the Saltwater Fishing Expo.
“The ASA shows will make an outstanding addition to our lineup of consumer boat and sportshows,” said Ben Wold, NMMA’s Vice President. “This partnership with ASA will bring together leaders from both recreational fishing and boating industries to create the strongest selling consumer shows for both recreational boating and fishing products.”
With the acquisition, NMMA will bring on two full time employees from ASA to run the new NMMA shows and maintain the former ASA New Hampshire show office. Tod Alberto remains Show Manager, with Julia Bubar as Assistant Show Manager. Both have extensive experience running ASA’s consumer shows and working with the recreational fishing industry.
In addition to the acquisition of ASA’s four consumer shows, NMMA is partnering with ASA, with the ASA Consumer Show Committee providing strategic direction to help us expand the fishing component at NMMA shows where it makes sense, and help fishing tackle manufacturers sell more product. In addition, the NMMA will make an annual donation to KeepAmericaFishing for the next five years to promote stronger engagement by anglers on important fishing advocacy issues.
“Our mission has always been to grow the recreational fishing industry, and we’re excited to join forces with the world’s leading producer in consumer boat and sportshows to achieve our mission and strengthen the relationship between the fishing and boating communities,” said Mike Nussman, ASA President and CEO.
The NMMA is the leading association for the North American recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in North America. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle.
ASA is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing 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. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America's 46 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation's waterways through KeepAmericaFishing our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.
