Press Releases

RBFF Boasts Record Attendance at State Marketing Workshop
45 state agencies converge in Phoenix to discuss integrated marketing efforts to increase fishing license sales

ALEXANDRIA, VA (December 21, 2011) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) hosted a record 45 state fish and wildlife agencies at its 2011 State Marketing Workshop held December 6 – 8, 2011 in Phoenix, Ariz. The Workshop focused on the importance of marketing and communicating with anglers, and implementing integrated marketing efforts to increase fishing license sales. Established in 2008 to bring together participants from RBFF’s State Fishing License Marketing Program, the Workshop was expanded to include all 50 states in 2010.

“Convening state agencies at the State Marketing Workshop and getting them to engage in a dialogue about marketing efforts is critical,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We’re working to advance these state agency partnerships in an effort to increase fishing license sales and boat registrations nationwide, which in turn, generates funds needed for state conservation projects.”

Workshop participants took part in discussion around the 2011 program results and direction for 2012. Roundtable discussions also facilitated important dialogue about ways to better engage and retain anglers using e-mail and social media. Participants heard from RBFF staff and industry experts about angler engagement and retention strategies, and activities that compete for anglers’ time. Additionally, keynote speaker John Seabreeze, discussed the parallels between fishing/boating and golf, and shared results from successful consumer acquisition and retention programs in the golf industry that can be applied to fishing.

“I want to thank all of the state agencies represented at the meeting and our Workshop sponsors, who together contribute to the success of the event and our efforts to increase participation in fishing and boating overall. We hope to have all 50 states at next year’s Workshop,” added Peterson.

RBFF thanks the following companies for their sponsorship: Presenting sponsor - Pure Fishing; Additional sponsors - Active Network, American Sportfishing Association, Discover Boating, Field & Stream, the Outdoor Channel and Southwick Associates.

Launched in March 2008, RBFF’s State Fishing License Marketing Program was developed to increase participation in the sport and generate awareness of the connection between fishing license sales and conservation efforts. To date, 34 state partners have sold more than one million fishing licenses through the State Fishing License Marketing Program.

About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources.  RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.