EFTTEX 2013 
Vienna, Austria
WINNER!
"Innovation of the Year"
All award winners at EFTTEX 2013

This year Team American Tackle went to EFTTEX 2013 in Vienna, Austria with one goal in mind, to impress the angling trade with the MicroWave Line Control System. No doubt that mission was successful, taking top honors in the best of show awards for, "Innovation of the Year" 2013-14 season at the 32nd European Fishing Tackle Trade Exhibition.
American Tackle President, Joe Meehan and Vice President, Darrin Heim accepting the "Innovation of the Year" award.

AT President, Joe Meehan stated, "This award is a significant recognition and will notify the world that the American Tackle Company's Microwave Guide System is the best innovation in fishing rod guides in generations." He continues, "Being the first rod component company to ever win a Best New Product Award is an accomplishment we are honored to accept."
Accepting this prestigious award at the awards ceremony, Darrin Heim Vice-President of American Tackle stated, "On behalf of the American Tackle Company, we would like to dedicate this award in memory of the late Mr. Doug Hannon, whose vision and innovations helped form this industry and the Microwave Guide."
As the trade association for manufacturers and wholesalers of sports fishing equipment, EFTTA's "Best New Products Awards" have been at the centerpiece of Europe's biggest fishing industry trade show and growing steadily over the years in both influence and popularity. This year's "Best New Products Awards" was one of the largest and most competitive ever with nearly 200 products entered into the 15 categories for judging.
Marketing
Prior to the show opening, substantial advertising and direct marketing was done to alert the industry of American Tackle's participation. This included invitations to take the MicroWave Challenge and announcements of which quality fishing rod brands would be debuting MicroWave guide rods at the exhibition.


At the show a diverse messaging system notified all attendees to how the American Tackle Company conducts its trade shows.  This included booth signage for each MicroWave rod partner introducing rods at the show.
Casting Pool columns showcasing the MicroWave Challenge and partnered Rod Companies.

Signage at each show entrance announced the sponsorship of the casting pool which also included scheduled demonstration times.
Casting pool sponsorship along with PA announcements given three times daily prior to the commencement of each Challenge event, marked a first in EFTTEX history.
MicroWave
Challenge
Ben Stein at the Casting pool giving the MicroWave Challenge
American Tackle Company's Microwave Line Control System was the highlight of the show with hundreds of show visitors, the international press and other exhibitors participating in the "Microwave Challenge".
Demonstrations were conducted during all show hours however three scheduled times per day featured AT's Ben Stein, introducing some of the world's most notable rod designers and anglers to the MicroWave benefits. As usual at all Challenge events, total satisfaction by all had many prominent figures in the fishing trade stating, "MicroWave guides are the future of fishing rod design".
MicroWave Rod Introduction
 
These quality rod companies introduced MicroWave rods at this year's EFTTEX show:
Snowbee 
Ben Stein, Russell Weston, and Darrin Heim with the Snowbee "Kuroshiro Rod" which won runner-up for Best New Rod
 
CWC
Dan Paluch, Stefan Trumstedt, Darrin Heim, and Joe Meehan  with the New BFT Series
 
Paioli Sports
Sebastiano with the New Recast RXT Series
 
Anka Tackle

Darrin Heim and Eddie Soh with Anka Tackle
 
Examples of each company's rods were proudly introduced to visitors and prominently displayed in American Tackle's stand.

American Tackle
Stand
The American Tackle stand was incredibly busy offering refreshments and the opportunity to meet with staff in a private conference room or common meeting area as well as on the stage at the casting pool. Many consultations began in one area before moving directly to the MicroWave Challenge at casting pool.
Products

A selection of AT components and blanks were represented throughout the AT booth. Products of significant interest were the Ringlock guides and Prowrap thread as well as blanks from the Matrix and Bushido series.
Bushido logo
New Products that stole the show were the new Hybrid "Tidal Wave" MicroWave series and the "Casting Edition" MicroWave series.

Thank you!
American Tackle would like to thank everyone at EFTTA and Dimension 8 for organizing a truly amazing event!!  Without your vision and expertise, the fishing industry would be at a great disadvantage.  Keep up the great work and we cannot wait to do it again next year!!
 
 
For more pictures and videos of EFTTEX 2013, please visit the American Tackle Facebook page.