EFTTEX will go ahead next year pledges show CEO

EFTTEX will go ahead next year – that’s the clear message for a European fishing tackle industry waiting for news about the show.

“We are working hard to make the show happen in 2022,” EFTTA CEO Olivier Portrat told Angling International. “It has not been possible to talk about it yet because we are in the process of setting up our new association in Belgium. We have done all the work on our side and now need confirmation from the Belgium authorities. We signed the deeds for the new association in August but we are waiting for it to be registered in Belgium. The administration work is taking time and there is nothing we can do about that. But we will communicate where and when EFTTEX will happen as soon as we can.”

Portrat’s news is timely for tackle companies who are in the middle of planning their budgets and calendars for the summer. Though frustrated by the delay, Portrat assures members that he and the EFTTA board have been working hard behind the scenes to improve the association and to deliver a new-look show.

EFTTA was dealt a body blow by the cancellation of both the 2020 and 2021 shows due to COVID, resulting in a severe reduction of revenues. But it has acted to reduce administration costs by replacing the show’s management team in London with a leaner structure in Brussels, on the doorstep of the European Parliament where so much of its work is done in safeguarding the interests of its members. A new office manager will be appointed as soon as the registration of the new Association (EFTTA-AISBL) has been registered.

“We know we need to relaunch the show completely and we are working on introducing some fresh ideas. We have not been sleeping. We are very active and are finding solutions for all the issues we are facing,” assured Portrat.

The EFTTA CEO is also keen to preserve the global element of the show. “I want a truly international EFTTEX. The COVID situation is improving and the majority of people have been vaccinated. I definitely want people from the American, Asian and other continents to join in the show.”

Portrat revealed that although face-to-face meetings had been curtailed by the pandemic, Board members are involved in online discussions at least every two weeks. “We will come out of this stronger than ever before, with a better structure and a revitalised show,” he said. He also hinted at future plans to make EFTTA a stronger campaigning force for conservation and the mitigation of the impact of climate change.