Johnny Bench to Speak at ICAST

Johnny Bench, National Baseball Hall of Fame member, is the ICAST 2013 State of the Industry Breakfast keynote speaker. The breakfast is the annual event that kicks off the show’s opening and is being held on Wednesday morning, July 10, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

As one of the most impressive defensive catchers, Bench was also considered to be an outstanding hitter. A durable catcher, noted for his excellent baseball intelligence, Bench won 10 Gold Glove Awards, two Most Valuable Player Awards and the Rookie of the Year Award during his 17-year National League career. A skilled hitter, the 14-time All-Star selection belted 389 home runs and led the league in RBIs three times as a leader of the Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s. Bench was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989, the first year he was eligible.

“We’re delighted to host Johnny Bench as our keynote speaker during Wednesday morning’s State of the Industry Breakfast,” said American Sportfishing Association President and CEO Mike Nussman. “Johnny’s said that he wanted to play major league baseball since he was four years old. By keeping his eye “on the ball,” he not only achieved his dream but ultimately became a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His message of dreaming big and following through on your goals is a great way to kick off this year’s show.”

Bench joins Nussman and Rapala’s Executive Vice President Gregg Wollner, ASA’s Board of Directors chairman, who will outline the state of the sportfishing industry. The breakfast is being held from 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m., in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Second Floor, Ballroom N250. Tickets are required.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online through show registration; or by calling our registration company, Experient, at (301) 694-5243. – See more at: http://www.thefishingwire.com/story/291516#sthash.w75zY3W6.dpuf