GREENSBORO, N.C. — On November 7 and 8, the 2019 Boating and Fishing Industry Summit was held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C.
Hosted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), this first-time event brought together boating and fishing tackle manufacturers and retailers, state and federal fish and wildlife management agencies, fishing guides, and conservation organizations to discuss the state of boating and fishing and learn about how federal excise taxes generated through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act are used for fisheries conservation and boater and angler access projects.
The Summit’s presentations covered topics including marine and freshwater fisheries management; boating and fishing access; state agency collaboration with industry, boating safety and enforcement; economic trends impacting boating and fishing; angler recruitment, retention and reactivation; and the Sport Fish Restoration Program, a key pillar of the American System of Conservation Funding.
Attendees also enjoyed time for networking and participated in facilitated discussions about partnership opportunities to support North Carolina’s strong boating and angling economy.
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Central Appalachian States Manager John Culclasure attended the Summit.
CSF thanks the WRC staff and Commissioners as well as the event sponsors, including Grady-White Boats and the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council, among others, that made the event possible.