CURRENTS
Issues AFFTA Selects Executive Committee
The Board of Directors for the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) recently elected four directors to serve as its Executive Committee for the next calendar year. The Executive Committee is responsible for overseeing the business affairs of AFFTA and to ensure its mission and goals are being fulfilled. The committe now includes: Chairman – Tucker Ladd, president and owner of Trout’s Fly Fishing, Denver, Colorado Vice-Chairman – David Heller vice president of sales and marketing, Winston Rod Co., Twin Bridges, Montana
to be the first retailer to ever hold this position,” said Ladd. “This is an affirmation of the commitment to the retail base of our industry by the current board of directors, as well as AFFTA as a whole. I have always believed that retailers are the lifeblood of our sport and industry, and I am excited to have the opportunity to represent this segment of our trade group. 2014 will undoubtedly be an exciting year for AFFTA, and I am looking forward to helping drive our trade group to new levels of success, relevancy and growth.” “The newly elected Executive Committee is comprised of highly respected individuals in the flyfishing industry. Tucker Ladd’s election to serve as chairman for the coming year by the AFFTA board of directors, is a testament to Tucker’s commitment, dedication and respect throughout the industry” said AFFTA president Ben Bulis. Fishing Industry Leaders Together to Discuss Our Collective Future
AnglingTrade.com / December 2013
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• The state of the industry and how the association has changed and adapted over the past 80 years. • The challenges and opportunities in fisheries management from a state natural resource agency perspective.
• A new effort speared by the sportfishing industry and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation to engage the Hispanic population in recreational fishing.
Treasurer – Larry Barrett, director of operations for Far Bank Enterprises, Bainbridge Island, Washington
“I am not only proud to become the AFFTA chairman, but I am honored
The 2013 Sportfishing Summit program agenda focused on:
• The latest trends and customer insights regarding recreational fishing.
Secretary – Andrew Bennett, former owner of Deneki Outdoors, Seattle, Washington
The election of Tucker Ladd as chairman of the AFFTA board is historic; Tucker is the first retailer to be elected to that position.
sportfishing industry’s networking and business management event, celebrated 80 years of serving the industry and the sport during its annual meeting held October 16-18, at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort located just outside Fort Myers, Fla. This annual fall business meeting brought together more than 100 industry leaders with other sportfishing community members to provide a venue to discuss the issues impacting recreational fishing during committee meetings, networking events, general sessions and the association’s board of directors and committee meetings. Mayor Kevin Ruane of the City of Sanibel was a guest along with several members of the SanibelCaptiva Chamber of Commerce.
The American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) 2013 Sportfishing Summit, the
“As the number one fishing state in the country, Florida was a natural choice for our annual business meeting,” said ASA president and CEO Mike Nussman. “And fishing is big business not only in Florida, but in the United continued on next page...