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Remarks by Gregg Wollner ASA Board of Directors Chairman and EVP, Rapala

State of the Industry Breakfast July 16, 2013

Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida

GOOD MORNING, everyone.

I’m Gregg Wollner, Executive Vice President for Rapala and the Chairman of the Board for the American Sportfishing Association.

Governor Scott, thank you for joining us this morning. We’re honored that you took the time from your busy schedule to welcome the recreational fishing community to Florida and Orlando.

As you noted, more fishing takes place in Florida than in any other state. Which actually isn’t hard to do because the weather is pretty darn spectacular most of the year.

However, I’m from Minnesota. And people who sit in minus 10 degrees weather to catch fish – well, now that’s a bunch of dedicated fishermen. And if you would like to try it sometime, I would be honored to be your host.

Once again, Governor, thank you.

Although being chairman of our association’s board of directors is a two-year commitment, this is my second – and last - ICAST as Chairman. Next in line to carry the torch is Dave Bulthuis, VP of Sales for Costa, who will follow me as board chairman this October.

Congratulations, Dave.

I know I said this last year, but I believe this message is worthy of repeating. Despite all the changes our world has seen – we – all of us in this room – are bound by a common history and heritage that is embodied by the American Sportfishing Association.

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For 81 years, ASA has stood by us and stood for us to help ensure our business and our sport endures. Even staunch business competitors know that by working together we can accomplish so much more than as individual companies. A strong sense of community is undeniable anytime we are together under one roof. And we ARE a community. Just look around.

We are bound together by our love of fishing, and of the outdoors. By our desire to keep our passion for fishing alive and growing through our work in this industry. What’s also kept us together is the willingness of our association’s members to step up and contribute their time and expertise to develop and guide our collective business future.

Having said that, I’d like the board of directors, committee chairmen and committee members to stand up and be recognized for all you do on our behalf. I also want to recognize Mike Nussman and the ASA staff for their dedication and support to our association and our industry.

My thanks also go to the Trade Show Committee, chaired by Carey Graves of Shimano, and Trade Show Director Ken Andres, for all their hard work in pulling together the world’s largest fishing trade show. Thanks again to everyone.

Last year was the first time ICAST co-located with IFTD which proved to be a very good business decision for exhibitors and attendees. This year we brought the trade show back to Orlando and the second co-location of ICAST and IFTD. Business-wise – it’s another good investment for us.

Please note that ICAST 2015 is being held July 14 – 17 here in Orlando.

I’m happy to report that this is the largest and most diverse show that we have produced in the 57 years of the industry’s trade show. Although we all took our bumps and bruises during the recent recession, our industry held strong. We held together.

Coming into this week, our pre-registration attendee numbers were higher than ever and booth sales outpaced our budget. We are seeing continued growth in attendance, particularly in the international and marine markets. We’re growing our business education seminars –

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targeted to retailers - into what we envision will be a “must do university” and an essential part of the ICAST experience.

That’s good news for everyone sitting here this morning.

And investing in our future is what our association does for us. And it’s not just ICAST. It’s KeepAmericaFishing. It’s the annual Sportfishing Summit. And it’s the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Advocating with Congress and policy makers for strong, healthy fisheries and open access to fishing is at the core of our association.

ASA launched KeepAmericaFishing in 2010 to engage anglers in helping us advocate with state and federal policy makers for the sport we love. With the Advocacy Committee’s support, we continue to refine our angler advocacy efforts.

I’d like to thank the industry members you see on the screen for their substantial support and thank everyone who has stepped up to fight for fishing!

If you’re not involved, my challenge to you is to get involved so we can add your company’s name to our growing list of KAF supporters – industry members and anglers alike.

Each October, our association hosts the Sportfishing Summit, our annual business meeting, where each and every one of you in this room has an opportunity to participate in our collective future. I cannot stress to you enough the incredible ROI you get from attending the Summit.

There is a Save the Date card on the table. If you’ve never been: You need to go!

You do not need to be a board or committee member to attend. The Summit is for everyone. For those of you from the retail sector, I extend a personal invitation. You are every bit as vital a member of the industry as the manufacturing sector. We have a great agenda and I’d like to see you there.

Thank you everyone for being here this morning and at ICAST. Let’s all pledge to do our part to keep America fishing! And now I’m going to turn the stage over to Frank Peterson, President and CEO of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.

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