Boating Industry Intelligence You Can Profit From
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) has acquired the Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament, a fishing tournament held in the city since October 1965, it reported in a recent statement.
The association acquired the event from The Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament Inc., a non-profit organization with the goal of promoting fishing and family recreational boating, and the two organizations will continue to work together to produce the five-day event, which is next scheduled for Feb. 27 to March 2, 2008. MIASF plans to include a seafood and music festival for the first time in the 2008 tournament.
“We are pleased to be the new owners of this well known and respected popular fishing tournament, which has been part of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s recreational activities >for so many years,” stated J.J. McConnell, president of MIASF. “This purchase is a re-commitment on the part of MIASF not only to the marine industry and the recreational boaters in this region who enjoy fishing, but to the entire community who can participate in the added events that will truly reflect the lifestyle of South Florida and the reasons we all live here.”
In commenting on the sale of the tournament, Jamie Strauss, president of The Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament Inc. added, “We are very excited to announce this new direction for this 43-year old event and to have an organization like Marine Industries Association of South Florida acquire the tournament. We firmly believe in our mission to promote boating, fishing, tourism and marine related activities in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida by organizing a fishing tournament that encourages participants to compete for reward recognition and recreational enjoyment and know that MIASF shares that belief. We are confident they will help us fulfill our mandate as well as help ensure the Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament continues to flourish.”
Strauss also noted that U.S. Recreational Alliance (USRA), an event production and management company based in Fort Lauderdale, would serve as the executive director and promoter of the events.
- For more of the latest news, click here.