ICAST Business Conference Sessions
Improve Your Business! Attend the Trade Show Business Conference Seminars
All seminars are complimentary for badged ICAST and IFTD attendees and exhibitors. The business seminars cover a wide range of topics that can help you increase your employees’ and customers’ experiences.
All sessions are held in room N253, in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
KeepAmericaFishing™ - What’s New for You and Your Customers
Presented by Gordon Robertson, vice president, American Sportfishing Association, and Kathryn Powers, ASA’s KeepAmericaFishing director
Wednesday, July 10 11:00 a.m. – Noon
Online advocacy is an ever-evolving endeavor. We’ve learned a lot since July 2010 when we launched KeepAmericaFishing™, our industry’s advocacy program. In this session we’ll share what we’ve learned and how we are adapting our efforts to keep pace with the industry’s pressing angler access and conservation issues. Our ultimate goal, with your help, is to keep your customers on the water and you in business. You’ll also come away with some tools and techniques that can you can also use to improve your online business or website.
So You Think You Know Who Loves the Outdoors?
Presented by Michael Wood, senior vice president and director of Syndicated Research, TRU-Insight, located in Chicago, Illinois
Wednesday, July 10 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (repeat)
The Millennial Generation and their attitudes towards the outdoors, their decision-making process for buying outdoor products and how they use technology to enhance their outdoor experiences is of great interest to our industry. Michael Wood, senior vice president and director of Syndicated Research for TRU-Insight, a research company based in Chicago, Ill., knows more about this group than just about anyone. TRU is the global leader in youth research and insights, focusing on tweens, teens and twenty-somethings. You don’t want to miss this!
Merchandizing Matters
Presented by Robin Enright, founder, Merchandising Matters, at MerchandisingMattersNow.com.
Wednesday, July 10 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
How you display your product is just as important, if not more important, than stocking it. This workshop provides an overview of visual merchandising best practices and summarizes the powerful tools that can you position yourself for sales success. Participants will learn how and why these elements can contribute (or become a barrier) to a sale. Participants are invited to bring their questions and photographs of their store’s problem areas for critique and interaction! One-on-one sessions are available.
Complying with the Federal Manufacturers Excise Tax on Fishing Equipment
Presented by Nick Tranto and Ricky Stiff, founders, Tranto, Stiff and Associates, Arlington, Virginia
Wednesday, July 10 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Together former IRS Excise Tax Chief and Policy Managers Ricky Stiff and Nick Tranto have more than 50 years’ experience in the excise tax arena, specifically with the tax that covers sports fishing products. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to properly compute your excise tax liability and to stay compliant with IRS regulations regarding the federal manufacturers excise tax on sports fishing products.
PLEASE NOTE: In addition to their seminar, Tranto and Stiff will be available in the ASA Resource Center, Booth 2419, during show hours. They will also be available for private appointments so please stop by the ASA Resource Center.
Thursday, July 11
Insurance for Guides and Outfitters
Presented by Art Hoffart; Bissell Agency, Bozeman, Montana
Thursday, July 11 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Art will describe the misunderstood nature of commercial liability insurance coverage and how outfitters and guides can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars through the insurance program that AFFTA offers its members.
Engaging the Hispanic Audience: Insights to Actions
Presented by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), Alexandria, Va., and Lopez Negrete, Houston, Texas
Thursday, July 11 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The demographic shift underway in America will have a profound impact upon the fishing and boating industries. The key driver of this shift is the exponential growth of the Hispanic community nationwide, which, according to the Pew Research Center, could represent as much as 29 percent of the U.S. population by 2050. Crafting a successful strategy which allows your company to engage this burgeoning community will help lay the foundation for future success. At this session, RBFF, which created the industry’s first strategic plan focused upon engaging the Hispanic community, will provide information that your company can use for your own marketing and communications efforts.
Strategies That Grow Business in Lean Times
Presented by Dan Mann, founder and president, The Mann Group, Weatherville, N.C.
Thursday, July 11 11:00 a.m.-Noon
Dan will discuss how retailers can remain agile, change with the market, respond to customers’ needs and meet the challenges of today’s consumer spending habits. He will help answer this bottom line question: How do you maximize revenue and profit when you can’t count on healthy, consistent foot traffic?
Selling to “Newbies” to Create Life-long Customers
Presented by William “Bill” Kendy, Kendy Consulting, Holt, Michigan
Thursday, July 11 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
For new anglers, walking into a tackle store for the first time can be intimidating and overwhelming. Bill Kendy, sales and marketing expert/consultant and author, will offer tips on how to identify “newbie” customers, engage them, build rapport, ask the right questions and make sure they feel comfortable. Following his advice, you can turn new customers into lifelong advocates and champions for your store. The seminar will also cover the eight steps to retail selling and provide tips on closing the sale.
Multi-door Retailing: The Struggles and Rewards
Presented by Tony Gehman and Chris Frangiosa from TCO Fly Shop, Pennsylvania; Steve Summerhill and Dan Lohmiller from The Rivers Edge, Montana; and Jennifer Mull, CEO of BACKWOODS, Texas.
Thursday, July 11 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This panel of retail experts will provide insight into – and some of the secrets – to their success in the fly fishing retail business. From e-commerce business to six retail locations, TCO has shown positive growth since opening the doors in 1990. The River's Edge Fly Shop offers guide services and the gear that fly fishermen need. Their success, even in a tough economy, has allowed them to open a second location in 2013. BACKWOODS has nine retail locations, offers online shopping, adventure travel and an exclusive line of clothing, luggage and accessories.
Co-op Advertising
Presented by William “Bill” Kendy, Kendy Consulting, Holt, Michigan
Thursday, July 11 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Learn the ABC’s of co-op advertising from industry expert, Bill Kendy. You will learn the basic concepts of co-op, the language, the dos and don’ts, the requirements and nuances and how to make sure you are in compliance in order to receive your check. If you don’t spend your qualified earned co-op dollars by the end of the year, they will go away. It is your free money: don’t throw it away.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Providing Travel Services to Your Clients
Presented by Pat Pendergast, director, International Travel, The Fly Shop, Redding, Calif., and Jim Klug, founder and director of Operations, Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures, Bozeman, Mont.
Friday, July 12 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m
In the ever-changing and increasingly competitive retail market, providing more value through additional services for your customers, such as travel and fishing adventures, will help to separate you from your competition. Have you thought about offering a comprehensive travel program for your customers? Stop in and learn some of the tips and tricks of the trade.
