Award-winner calls on big guns to get behind EFTTEX

An EFTTEX award-winner has called on the industry big guns to get behind the show.

Pat Levy (above), owner of European show regular JM Gillies – an award-winner at the event last month – believes the likes of Daiwa, Shimano and Rapala VMC Corporation should add their support to EFTTEX in a positive way.

Levy, who made the journey from Australia, where JM Gillies is based, told Angling International: “I understand why the big brands don’t exhibit as they have their own distribution in each country and are happy to sell as much product as possible in those countries. But I believe it is important that manufacturers and wholesalers get behind the show to support the industry.

“I admire the likes of PRADCO and Mustad getting behind EFTTEX, but other big brands should do the same. At the Australian Fishing Trade Show (AFTA) they all back the event. This year’s industry dinner was the biggest event of its kind in the world.

“It shows a collective togetherness that would be great to see at EFTTEX. Getting the major players here is important for the show and the industry as a whole. It would also help to persuade more retailers to attend.

“It should be made easier for the big companies to have a presence here.”

Levy (pictured above with Angling International owner Rob Carter and EFTTEX organiser Janet Doyle) said Gillies enjoyed a successful show with recognition in the Best New Product Awards for its Waist Belt life jacket and also attracting visitors to its booth from countries that included Lithuania, Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic, France and Romania. “That was not too bad and they all took away samples. If I can add two to three new countries each year, I will be happy.”

Gillies’ world famous Tassie Devil lure enjoys an almost cult-like following in Europe with 60% of its business from the region being generated by the iconic brand. “It continues to generate interest and has the added bonus of increasing interest in our other brands,” explained Levy.

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