On Thursday morning, July 18, the Professional Outdoor Media Association held its second gathering for members at ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. Attendees heard briefings from the American Sportfishing Association’s Communications Manager, Rob Shane, Southwick Associates Economist, Ben Scuderi, and US Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Biologist, Gabriel Gries.
Together the three conveyed the strength of the boating and fishing economy and the need to educate the public and folks in the fishing and boating industry how much their investment of excise tax dollars benefits fishing and American anglers and of course, by extension, the industry itself. POMA was represented by Board Secretary Gabriella Hoffman and Executive Director Rob Sexton.
The POMA Meet-Up at ICAST is the second event of this type following the success of the inaugural event at the NRA Annual Meeting in May. The Meet-Ups provide exclusive content opportunities for media, and are a way to show appreciation to corporate partners. The POMA Board of Directors hopes to see gatherings of POMA members at major events across the country throughout the year.
“The idea is still in its infancy,” explained Sexton. “But we’ve been able to show some initial value, providing the incentive to create more opportunities like this going forward. We will soon be announcing POMA Meet-Up #3!”
POMA thanks the American Sportfishing Association for hosting the event.