Home | Media Center | Reflections on the First Fly Fishing Trade Show from Randi Swisher

January 28, 2010

I can remember back when the first Fly Fishing trade show was in Denver at a Holiday Inn Ballroom about 20 years ago.   I was working at Lamiglas at the time and Dick Posey (owner) and I displayed Lamiglas fishing rods at the show.  The concept was to attract the dealers in the booth, pitch them on the coolest new products, and then actually sit down and write an order for the upcoming fishing season.

Well, as we all know, the concept of writing orders at the industry trade show has gone by the wayside.  It seems like the show has become more of a social venue than a business reason for attending.  If you look up the definition of a trade show, you would find that it relates to buying and selling commerce.  Yes, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s always fun to see my old fishing buddies and be able to have a beer or two discussing how the family is doing and where the hottest fishing spots are.  I always look forward to seeing industry people at the show but the reality is that we all need to make a living through our love for the sport of fly fishing.

As the AFFTA organization moves forward in organizing and promoting the new International Fly Tackle Dealer show, one of our main objectives is to increase participation from all parts of the industry.  We have reviewed feedback provided from all members of the industry and are planning to incorporate many new ideas, concepts, and features into this fall’s IFTD show.  I am excited to be an integral part of facilitating this change and hope that all of the AFFTA membership is excited about this new venture and direction as I am.  Whether you are a retailer, manufacturer, sales rep, fishing guide, lodge owner, or entrepreneur, we all work towards creating and sustaining a strong healthy and prosperous business for our families and ourselves. 

Please stay tuned for more exciting reasons to attend the 2010 IFTD show in the upcoming AFFTA Connects newsletters.  I look forward to helping AFFTA move in a positive new direction.    Finally, let’s all have a beer after the business day is over.