FEATURE | GLENN HUGHES
GLENN HUGHES A President’s Perspective.
Following a very successful ICAST show earlier in the year, TTW editor John Watson
caught up with the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) president, Glenn Hughes,
Tackle Trade World – So Glenn,
to find out more his first six months in charge.
you’ve been in the President’s chair
of the ASA now since April 1st,
2018, how are you settling into the
role?
Glenn Hughes - The staff, board
and members have helped make this
an easy transition for me. We’ve got
a great team and everyone is working
for the same outcome – a vibrant and
prosperous industry.
TTW - You’re certainly no stranger to
the association, having been appointed
in 2013 to head up ICAST, membership,
marketing and communications but,
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over the years you’ve been involved, has
the ASA changed much? Has it become
stronger?
GH - I had the amazing benefi t of
watching Mike Nussman lead the
organisation over the last 18 years
and, more directly, over the past fi ve.
In that time, we focused specifi cally
on government affairs and advocacy,
membership and ICAST. To accomplish
this, trade show director Blake Swango
now oversees both the trade show
and membership. We are also building
our advocacy team and developing an
industry program to increase fi shing
participation, led by chief marketing
offi cer Liz Ogilvie – they’re both doing a
great job.
TTW - Prior to becoming president,
you were vice-president of industry
relations. What was that role about and
what was your main remit?
GH - In that position, I focused
on the staff and on enhancing our
relationships with our membership. We
are an association made up of 800-plus
members who have similar interests
and concerns but don’t necessarily
know the entire scope of who we
are or what we do. It is important
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