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Small lights flickered around a row of mason jars on the ICAST show floor last July, casting a soft glow. Inside each jar, plastic fishing lures floated, suspended in translucent gel that held them perfectly in place.
The tails, antennae and tentacles of the baits – crafted to attract trophy largemouth bass – seemed to reach out toward the aisle, drawing curious passers-by into conversation with Cade Thompson, co-owner of Lake Fork Lure Co.
Set in the vast expanse of 200,000 square feet filled with elaborate trade show booths, the modest row of glowing fishing lures stood out. Over the course of three days, this simple set-up drew in business connections much like the baits inside each jar were designed to attract trophy bass. For Thompson, it was distributors, retailers, sales groups and fellow lure manufacturers who were the target.
At ICAST, attendees fish for connections with the same skill and precision they use on the water. The Texas-based Lake Fork Lure Co. believes that making just a few dozen key connections each year is enough to justify their investment in the event. Between 20 and 30 percent of the contacts made at ICAST turn into sales or partnerships. For Lake Fork Lure Co., that success rate makes the sportfishing industry’s largest trade show a ‘must-attend’ every year.
“At the end of the day, getting everybody in the same room and getting eyeball to eyeball is how you build relationships,” says Thompson (below). “That’s how deals get done. So for us, ICAST is a lot more efficient and cost effective than traveling all over the country. And it’s certainly more personal than Zoom or WebEx calls.”
After acquiring the legacy lure company in 2022, Thompson and his team quickly secured a booth at ICAST. Since then, they have made three consecutive trips to the Orange County Convention Center, determined to fuel their growth. With over 14,000 attendees from hundreds of tackle companies, buyers and media outlets, ICAST stands as the heart of the recreational sportfishing world – a place where businesses and anglers from every fishery and discipline come together.
Thanks to its stature as the preeminent trade show in sportfishing and ease of travel to Orlando, the show attracted representatives from 75 countries in 2024. Show officials expect that number to grow in 2025, and businesses that reserve booth space early can save on booth space.
Before February 1st, ICAST floor space pricing starts at $16/square foot. That rate increases, though, as the calendar inches closer to showtime in July. Rates increase to $18/square foot in February and finally settle at $20/square foot from April forward. For now, that means the ‘get in the door‘ price of an ICAST booth is as low as $1,600. A booth like Thompson’s would total closer to $3,200 with the biggest early bird discount and up to $4,000 from April onward.
“Booth space at ICAST is highly sought after,” adds American Sportfishing Association Vice President of Trade Show & Marketing Blake Swango. “Exhibitors can find a booth size for almost any need if they register early. We have booths ranging from 100-square-feet all the way to 4,800-square-feet.
For Thompson, securing space at ICAST a top priority. “This is the number one line item in our budget,” he adds. “We love coming here.”
To learn more about exhibiting at ICAST 2025, set for July 15th-18th in Orlando, Florida, visit ICASTFishing.org. The Orange County Convention Center is located just 12 miles from Orlando International Airport, which services more than 160 international destinations in 27 countries.
