AFFTA board rejects Outdoor Retailer trade show Option

The Fly Fishing Retailer Show has seen a significant decline in attendance and show square footage over the last four years. One proposal from the show management group Nielson Media was to combine the fly show with the Outdoor Retailer trade show, the world’s largest outdoor sports industry gathering in the world. Somehow the American Fly Fishing Trade Association did not recognize the value of having their trade show combined with a show that draws 21,000 attendees and 1000 brands in the business of producing, selling and marketing the outdoor lifestyle.

To quote an industry insider, "I can't wait to hear their reasons and the alternative they propose to their current stillborn 'trade' show in Denver and wherever else they propose to take it. Maybe they can hook up with the Texarkana basket weaving and macramé expo."

Here's the scoop courtesy of SNEWS.

The American Fly Fishing Trade Association voted to turn down an offer from Nielsen Business Media to merge the FlyFishing Retailer trade show into the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show, inside sources familiar with the vote told SNEWS®.

AFFTA President Gary Berlin confirmed that a vote took place on Oct. 13, but he would not reveal the outcome of the vote when contacted by us. "The board did make a decision on Tuesday, and the information will be released at the end of the month when all documents are finalized."

Berlin told SNEWS that AFFTA was looking for a new way forward with the FlyFishing Retailer show because it has suffered lower participation from exhibitors and attendees. "The show has declined in exhibit space and visitors for the past four years due to the economy and consolidation of brands," he said.

So now what are the alternatives?

Continue with the status quo.... the trade show equivalent of dead man walking.

Combine the show with ICAST or fly fishing meets duck and chuck in Vegas mid July 2010.... good luck with the early date.

Find a new venue or partner that might somehow drive greater attendance..... not likely considering the patient is barely breathing already.

We'll see how AFFTA explains not wanting to draft off the incredible depth of business that is conducted at Outdoor Retailer.

Cuts Like a Knife

Not surprising considering David Visnack, the marketing director for Far Bank, also did a stint at Buck Knives.

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA – Far Bank Enterprises, Inc, parent company of Sage Manufacturing, Redington and RIO Products Intl., Inc., is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Gish as Marketing Manager for the Redington brand of fly rods, reels and fishing gear, effective October 1, 2009.

Most recently, Gish was the Marketing Manager at Buck Knives, where she was a key member of the management team and spokesperson for the iconic knife brand.

LINK (Via: SNEWS)

How do you train a fish?

Mr Lindell is the director of the scientific aquaculture programme at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. And for the last few years, he has been training fish.  More here via BBC News

Sent to us by good friend (and killer photographer) Alan Corbett

OIA Endorses Inclusion of Fly Fishing Retailer

The Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) Board of Directors announced their endorsement of including the Nielsen Business Media owned Fly Fishing Retailer trade show, subject to American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) acceptance, into the summer market to create a broader water culture.  LINK  (Via: OIA)

Any move to Salt Lake for FFR still needs to be approved by AFFTA and there are now rumors that a competing show is in the works for Orlando.

FFR Show - Day 3

The 2009 edition of Fly fishing Retailer has wrapped, the highlights from day three.

Cruised the show with the point and shoot for some material for the Chum bucket.

Recorded a show episode of the Fish Schtick with bonus video clips.

Hooked up with my cuz Andrew, read his show reports here.

This will most likely be the last year for the show to be held in Denver. Drewbo at Wicked Outdoorsy has all the scuttlebutt and the answer to a question many were asking in the aisles....where's Orvis?

FFR Day 1 Recap

Industry breakfast - Caught the rough cut clip of The River Why movie....looks promising.

Meetings all day....losing my voice.

Drake 5 minute of fly fishing show - Not sure who won the top prize, World Angling's piece got my vote, see it below.