Although winter is upon us and people have started their Christmas countdown, the Angling Trades Association (ATA) is looking ahead at the calendar of events for next spring and summer.

The Association plans to maximise opportunities for its members to promote their businesses and invigorate its key participation events, such as National Fishing Month. Following the demise of the original CLA Game Fair, announced earlier in September, there has been a plethora of rumours, announcements and cancellations regarding potential new shows.

Some are aimed firmly at the general public and urban dwellers with rural aspirations; others are slanted towards those interested in the traditional countryside activities. The UK Game Fair will take place on 22nd-24th July 2016.

ATA Chair Naidre Werner, who recently met organisers Blaze Publishing, believes that the Fair stands out from the crowd, saying: “It made a refreshing change to talk to the owner of a show who had the commercial interests of the exhibitor at the forefront of his mind.

“There is a determination to create a showcase event that accurately and positively represents and promotes fishing, shooting and hunting. The organising team impressed me with their eagerness to heavily promote the fishing focus of the show and their determination to invest time and money into creating a true enthusiasts’ experience.

“I was also happy with the team’s keenness to support National Fishing Month, and exciting plans could develop for this participation initiative in future. I hope that the trade and the public get behind the UK Game Fair because we need a good outdoor show that features fishing seriously. I genuinely feel that this is could be the one.”

The venue for the new show – the NAEC at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire – will be familiar to many people. Located in the triangle between Coventry, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth, Stoneleigh has strong historical links to the rural economy, and for many years it hosted the now defunct Royal Show.

It boasts two lakes on site, perfect venues to introduce coarse fishing to youngsters who have little or no experience and current coarse anglers who would like to upskill and learn a few new tricks. The site encompasses a picturesque section of the River Avon which provides great opportunities for fly casting tutorials, demonstrations and master classes.

UK Game Fair organiser Wes Stanton added: “The important thing with a country pursuits event is to make sure that it has a core content that will be of interest to visitors. A solid fishing and retail experience has to be part of that show.

“I think that we see too many outdoor shows where the first thing that greets you when you walk through the gates is a face painting stall or a merry go round, and you walk around to find stands selling revolutionary pan cleaners, home-made sweeties and wind chimes.

“That’s not the kind of content we need for our show, so we are determined to deliver the right kind of exhibitor and attract the right kind of visitors for those exhibitors.”

For more about the UK Game Fair call 01926 339808, follow on Facebook UKGameFair or Twitter @UKGameFair.

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