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The 2022 RBFF State Marketing Workshop, presented by Fishbrain, will be held February 21-23 in Dallas, TX. Themed Adapting & Innovating to Engage New Customers, the Workshop will bring together representatives from all 50 state fish and wildlife agencies and Washington, D.C. to learn and collaborate on recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) initiatives.

After the success of last year’s fully virtual experience, RBFF will offer a hybrid event with both in-person and online programming for the three-day event. The dual approach will allow for greater and safer participation from across the country.

“At a time when we are constantly adapting to new circumstances and restrictions, hosting the Workshop as a hybrid event will allow for more collaboration and learning amongst states agency representatives and directors,” said RBFF Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communication, Stephanie Vatalaro. “Whether participants are joining online or in-person, they will leave the Workshop with new R3 ideas and tools to use in their states.”

Session Previews

The agenda is once again packed with speakers from 10 state agencies, an update from the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, lessons from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and more.

Tuesday morning will include a session on consumer trends and their effects on the future of fishing and boating, and Wednesday will kick off with a panel discussing how social influencers can be used to amplify state agencies’ messages and target new audiences.

Concurrent sessions will include Tom Ryle of the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife explaining the three strategies that helped the state retain over 28% of new fishing license holders, Katie Grant will dive into the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ success on TikTok, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife will share how its multi-tiered digital marketing campaign was able to succeed despite statewide droughts and wildfires.

David Gee, communications consultant and former editor-in-chief of Boating Industry, will close out the Workshop with a presentation on storytelling and building connections.

Sponsor Support

The Workshop is offered at no cost to state agencies, thanks to the support of an array of sponsors. Fishbrain, who has partnered with RBFF to enhance the Take Me Fishing Places to Fish & Boat Map since 2018, returns as the Presenting Sponsor for the third straight year.

Breakfast Sponsor: Brandt Information Systems

Innovation Sponsor: American Sportfishing Association

Directors Dinner Sponsor: Aspira

Content Session Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Discover Boating, and Yamaha

Participating Sponsors: Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Brunswick, Colle McVoy, DJ Case & Associates, Kalkomey, Major League Fishing, Smoker Craft, Sovereign Sportsman Solutions, and Terra Technology Group

Friends of RBFF: Association of Marine Industries, Blast, InfoLink, Ipsos, Outdoor Sportsman, and Outside Inc.

Donation: Amsive

State Engagement Programming

The State Marketing Workshop is a key component of RBFF’s strategy to assist state agencies in enhancing their marketing and communications capacities. For more information about RBFF’s collaboration with state agencies, click here.