Lunch & Learn
Business Seminars
Our business seminars offer practical business value, particularly for retailers. This includes new ideas for sales, marketing, customer engagement and best business practices.
ICAST is offering the Lunch & Learn seminar series in a special location on the show floor close to the food court where attendees can both take a break and gain insights into improving their business.
LOCATION: The Lunch & Learn seminars booth is located adjacent to the restaurant.
WHO CAN ATTEND: Seminars are complementary for all badged ICAST attendees.
Sponsored By
"The business seminars provide valuable information. You can get a lot of raw data and better understand your situation, like how many people are buying saltwater, how much of your business is impacted by bass fishing and more."
Wade Mansfield
Grizzly Jig Co.
Caruthersville, Missouri
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
This special seminar will provide an overview of the excise tax obligations for fishing tackle manufacturers and importers. The presenter is an excise tax specialist who will address issues such as taxable products and tax computation formulas and there will be plenty of time for Q & A.
Individual appointments can be made by texting Mitch King at 303-585-0377.
PRESENTERs
Mitch King
Excise Tax Specialist, American Sportfishing Association
Contact >
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
As a career professional in the fly fishing retail space, Chris is an expert in building a winning team that will take your business to the next level. This discussion will cover staff retention, motivation and sales training. We will also review how to help employees grow within your company, creating a longer employee life cycle which leads to organizational success.
Presenter
Chris Frangiosa
The last year has seen rapid development in AI capabilities, making access to AI platforms and technologies more affordable and reliable for just about every sector of the recreational fishing industry. This presentation will address some of the many ways that AI technologies are making their way into the industry, ranging from new approaches to content creation to enhanced customer interaction to product R&D to Ai powered gear. This presentation will explain many of the emerging technologies and the pragmatics of how to deploy these technologies to enhance industry activities.
PRESENTER
Sid Dobrin
Owner Flying-Fish AI; Co-owner, Inventive Fishing; Chair, Department of English, University of Florida; Adobe Digital Thought Leader; and Host, The Fishing Professor Rodcast
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John specializes in crafting tailored processes to ensure maximum productivity and profitability. In this session, we will explore key aspects of REAL Success: Relationships, Equipping, Attitude, and Leadership – the elements that are essential for achieving success in business. Get the tools for transforming your business into a cohesive unit that thrives on enhancing revenue streams and reducing costs.
Presenter
John Johnson
Founder and CEO of J-Squared Consultants, Inc, Sales Xceleration Advisor, Schooley Mitchell Strategic Partner, and certified member of the Maxwell Leadership Executive Team
As an expert in international trade negotiations and legislation, Ron represents several major U.S. corporations and trade associations before the U.S. Government and Congress on international trade issues and legislation. His unique combination of government, political and corporate experience enables him to provide well-rounded strategic advice and international market analysis to multinational corporations and foreign governments. In this session, we’ll give you the latest information on the current trade and tariff situation and provide advice on the best ways to navigate these challenging times.
PRESENTER
Ron Sorini
Thursday, July 17, 2025
As a career professional in the fly fishing retail space, Chris’ expertise in merchandising and integration of E-Commerce platforms make this a session not to be missed. This discussion will focus on best practices for increasing margins and gaining market share through an organized and simplified strategy.
Presenter
Chris Frangiosa
We will provide guidance on how to remain competitive as consumer expectations shift. Our insights into AI, e-commerce, and digital strategy will equip you to adapt and thrive.
PRESENTER
Dena Vick
Chief Marketing Officer, Ridgerunner
Respected leader and seasoned marketing executive with deep roots in the outdoor industry. Renowned for driving growth as a strategist, senior media buyer, social media architect, and trusted lead for major national and global outdoor brands. In addition to Ridgerunner, she runs a public relations and communications company and is an outdoor columnist.
Sid Dobrin
Owner Flying-Fish AI; Co-owner, Inventive Fishing; Chair, Department of English, University of Florida; Adobe Digital Thought Leader; and Host, The Fishing Professor Rodcast
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John Johnson
Adam Gifford
Founder & CEO, Ridgerunner
Adam Gifford is the founder of Ridgerunner, a visionary leader driven by a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a deep commitment to innovation. With a strong foundation in Data Science, Digital Transformation, and SaaS applications, Adam blends hands-on outdoor experience with sharp business acumen. His career includes high-impact roles in Fortune 500 sales and management, where he honed his expertise in strategy, leadership, and execution.
Dale Browning
Co-founder & COFO Ridgerunner
Financial wizard with an eye for sustainable growth and operational excellence. Dale Browning is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating and Financial Officer of Ridgerunner. He previously worked at Thrive365 as a Chief Operations and Data Officer. Dale Browning attended the University of Louisville.
Record numbers of people went fishing in 2024, but angler churn is one of the biggest threats to long-term industry growth—and one of the greatest opportunities. This dynamic panel brings together state agency innovators, national fishing organizations, and retail partners to showcase real-world solutions to recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) challenges. Learn how authentic community-building in Virginia is attracting and retaining women anglers, how Kentucky and Major League Fishing hope to turn families into lifelong customers, and how ASA’s new R3 Grant Program is helping the industry take action. Whether you’re a manufacturer or retailer, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, proven strategies, and practical ways to grow your business by growing fishing. Panel features Mary Beth Long of ASA, J.D. Strong and Stephanie Vatalaro of RBFF, Dave Washburn of FLW, and Dr. Mike Bednarski of Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Presenter
Mary Beth Long
J.D. Strong
J.D. Strong is the Senior Director of Industry Engagement at the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a newly created role focused on engaging the fishing industry in growing participation and reducing churn. Prior to joining RBFF, Strong served as Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, bringing over 20 years of leadership in natural resources management to his work supporting industry growth and long-term angler retention.
Stephanie Vatalaro
BEST OF SHOW
2:30 – 3:00 PM
Booth 100
This celebratory gathering is where one of the winners of the 41 New Product Showcase ”Best of Category” awards will be awarded the overall ICAST 2025 “Best of Show.”
Think your website needs a complete overhaul to see results? Think again. In this session, you’ll discover practical, impactful ways to enhance your website’s performance—without tearing everything down and starting from scratch:
- Refresh Your Website Design
- Review, Refine & Retire Your Content
- Create an Analytics/SEO Reporting Dashboard
- Test Your Site’s Usability
- Enhance user experience with small design tweaks
Perfect for anyone looking to get more value from their existing website with minimal resources. Walk away with a checklist of easy-to-implement fixes that can drive real results—fast.
Presenter
Miriam Paska
President & Digital Strategist, Village Green Consulting
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