Press Releases

RBFF Hosts Unprecedented State Marketing Workshop
45 state agencies converge in Phoenix to discuss customer engagement, marketing and communicating with anglers and boaters
This was a first class presentation and I really appreciate the opportunity to attend. I came back with a ton of new ideas and made some major contacts that will help our organization market," said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Licensing Bureau Chief Hank Worsech.

ALEXANDRIA, VA (January 2, 2014) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) hosted an unprecedented 115 people representing 45 state agencies at its 2013 State Marketing Workshop held December 10 – 12 in Phoenix, AZ. The Workshop focused on the importance of implementing customer engagement strategies, and marketing and communicating with anglers and boaters to increase participation in fishing and boating overall.

“Customer engagement is paramount to our industry’s success,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “This year, we touched on several strategies for reaching out to new anglers and boaters, and keeping in touch with those already involved. Keeping participation in these activities thriving is key to meeting our mission, and key to generating critical funds for state conservation projects.”

Keynote speaker Bryan Tabler of Disney Institute kicked off the Workshop, sharing insights on Disney’s approach to quality service. Attendees also learned about RBFF’s new research findings on first-time anglers, agency improvements in the online fishing license purchase process and insights in reaching the Hispanic audience. Attendees were given tips on how to better capture, convince and close with customers through email marketing and, as part of a roundtable exercise, developed action plans for real-life challenges faced by consumers trying to get out on the water.

“This was a first class presentation and I really appreciate the opportunity to attend,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Licensing Bureau Chief Hank Worsech. “I came back with a ton of new ideas and made some major contacts that will help our organization market.”

RBFF thanks the following companies for sponsoring its 2013 State Marketing Workshop: American Sportfishing Association (ASA), Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), Bass Pro Shops, Brandt Information Services, Brunswick Corporation, Colle + McVoy, Discover Boating, Info-Link, J.F. Griffin, Outdoor Channel, PlowShare Group, Inc., SourceLink and Southwick Associates.

The State Marketing Workshop was established in 2007 to bring participants of RBFF’s Fishing License and Boat Registration Marketing Programs together to share successes and ideas. The Workshop was made available to all 50 states beginning in 2010, and has evolved to also include general marketing education and training.

RBFF’s State Marketing Program efforts this year generated $6.3 million for state agencies and conservation. In addition, RBFF’s TakeMeFishing.org website drove more than 1.2 million referrals to state fishing license pages and nearly 110,000 referrals to state boat registration pages.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (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 developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ campaign to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing helps boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign website, TakeMeFishing.org, features tips and how-to’s that can be used all over the country, tools to compare different styles of boats, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.

For further information: Stephanie Vatalaro svatalaro@rbff.org 703-778-5156