July 14, 2014
Contact:
Chris Hunt, National Communications Director (208) 406-9106
Joel R. Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer (646) 573-6410
Kirk Deeter, Editor, TROUT Magazine (303) 808-1285
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Trout Unlimited makes major investment in ICAST/IFTD show in Orlando
Nations oldest and largest trout and salmon conservation organization sends its largest delegation ever to Americas largest fishing trade show
ORLANDOTrout Unlimited is sending a message to Americas fishing industry at this years joint-ICAST/IFTD trade show: Fishing is big business in America, and the need to protect the nations fisheries right now for current and new anglers has never been more important, and worthy of support.
Were sending our largest-ever delegation to both shows this year in hopes of working more closely with the recreational fishing and outdoor industry than we ever have before, said TUs Chief Marketing Officer Joel R. Johnson. We want to help the industry make the connectionwe make fishing better and thats good for American businesses and anglers.
Joining Johnson will be TUs President and CEO Chris Wood, who will deliver a speech to the industry on Wednesday, July 16, at 11 a.m., titled, Conservation and Your Bottom Line: Its More than just Philanthropy, its Good for Business. Wood will discuss with industry leaders how partnering with TU to protect, reconnect and restore trout and salmon waters across the nation can help sustain and grow the countrys fishing opportunities and create new customers for those serving the industry.
Many folks dont realize it, but TU is one of the largest customers the fishing industry has, Johnson said. Every year, we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on fishing equipment for membership recruitment, and our 155,000 members invest millions more on their own. We want to show the industry the benefits that come with partnering with TU, and I think Chris will do a great job explaining how we not only work to improve fishing, but how were working to protect the fishing legacy and ensure it survives for years and years to come.
For instance, Johnson said, TUs magazine, TROUT, is the largest circulating fishing-centric magazine in the country. By joining TU as a corporate partner or endorsed business, companies are listed in the magazine that reaches hundreds of thousands of readers four times a year. Edited by well-known fishing writer Kirk Deeter, TROUT covers everything from important conservation work to engaging the countrys veterans in the healing power of fly fishing to the unique American fishing lifestyle. TROUTs advertising sales representative, Tim Romano, will be on hand at the show, taking advertising orders and working with industry representatives to promote their products through the magazine.
Also attending the show this year is TUs National Communications Director Chris Hunt, who steers TUs media relations and promotes important business partnerships through traditional media outreach, as well as through TUs blog and its huge social media network. TU has more than 57,000 Facebook fans and nearly 18,000 followers on Twitter.
Joining TU as a corporate partner or endorsed business ensures industry-wide and nationwide promotion, Johnson said. We are very grateful to our partners and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association who help us support conservation and fishing throughout the country, and we do our best to promote our partners generosity by telling the world about their businesses and how theyre helping us make fishing better for all Americans.
Industry members can join TU as corporate partners or as endorsed business by contacting Johnson or TU Endorsed Business Director Walt Gasson, who will also be at the Orlando show.
Follow TU at ICAST/IFTD at this years show on Twitter by following #TUICAST and #TUIFTD, as well as by checking in regularly at the TU blog.
Trout Unlimited is the nations oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North Americas trout and salmon and their watersheds. Follow TU on Facebook and Twitter, and visit us online at tu.org.