ICAST had ‘estimated $27.9m impact on Orlando’

The worth of the ICAST trade show to the fishing and boating industries is unarguable. But the annual event also has huge value for the area in which it is held.

Last month’s show at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) generated an estimated economic impact of $27.9 million for the region. So confirmation that ICAST will be back at the same venue until at least 2025 is great news for ‘The Beautiful City’.

“ICAST continues to be the industry’s premier trade show where valuable business relationships are born, strengthened and celebrated,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester.

“The OCCC is honoured to be a part of that experience for sportfishing professionals from across North America. The centre has been home to ICAST for many years and we look forward to welcoming it back to Orlando through 2025.”

The show, produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), saw 10,850 attendees and 435 exhibitors flock to the city. Those figures would have been much higher if not for the problems caused by travel restrictions and uncertainties around COVID.

After a long run of being held in Las Vegas, ICAST was transferred to Orlando in 2012. It revisited the Sin City the following year, but returned to Orlando in 2014 and, with the exception of last year’s virtual show, has been there ever since.

“The Orange County Convention Center and Visit Orlando have partnered with us for eight years and we appreciate their investment in us and their partnership,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “Working with the convention center is easy and Orlando is easy to get to and centrally located for our attendees.”