Women's engagement breakfast unites anglers at ICAST

RBFF Women's Engagement Breakfast - ICAST 2023 © Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation

A sold-out crowd of anglers greeted the day with copious cups of coffee and a hearty helping of knowledge, research, and inspiration at the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation's (RBFF) Women's Engagement Breakfast presented by KastKing at ICAST in Orlando, FL. The two-hour event on July 13 highlighted the latest research on benefits women gain from fishing, as well as continued barriers and challenges to participation.

The more than 100 attendees also learned about RBFF's research-based marketing campaign "Find Your Best Self on the Water" and got a real-life example of industry members engaging women with a presentation from MarineMax about their complimentary educational and hands-on "Women on Water" boating seminars.

Research from RBFF and global marketing firm IPSOS indicated that women who fish are happier and healthier than those who do not. Another recent report from Southwick Associates shows that women represent a significant financial opportunity in America's multibillion-dollar recreational sport fishing industry.

Cindy Nguyen said the time has come to create more spaces like RBFF's Women's Engagement Breakfast to continue fostering the growing numbers of women boaters and anglers. The Galveston, Texas-based angler believes it is essential to inspire younger women to fish—a message echoed by RBFF's newest marketing campaign, highlighting fishing and boating as platforms to inspire future female astronauts, athletes, and professionals guided by fishing at an early age.

"After showing the video of RBFF's new consumer-facing marketing campaign, there were tears in the room, and you could feel how happy the women attendees were by seeing them represented in a national advertisement campaign," said Rachel Piacenza, Senior Director of Marketing for RBFF.

East Coast angler Angelica Talan called the breakfast informative and inspiring. "We are all bonded by a passion for fishing," said Talan. "I loved seeing others have the same passion as me. Representation matters, and it was incredible to see women from across the country supporting their fellow women in the industry."

"When RBFF approached us to sponsor the event, we were sure it would be a fantastic opportunity to support and share in our efforts to attract and retain more women in the sport," said Al Noraker, President of KastKing.

Watch and share the Women's Engagement breakfast wrap-up video on YouTube. Visit the RBFF website to learn more about the Women's Research findings.