IGFA Hosts North American Representatives Regional Meeting at Fred Hall

 
In the photo at left, Marketing Director Jack Vitek highlights the various IGFA initiatives underway. At center, President Jason Schratwieser informs Representatives and supporters about IGFA's headway with the three year strategy. IGFA Marketing Manager Andrea Saldana discusses the progress with the formations of the IGFA Regional Councils around the globe.

On March 3, 2020, the IGFA held the second North American Regional Meeting around the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, California. IGFA Members, Representatives and Trustees attended the event which focused on the establishment of an IGFA North America Regional Council in the coming months. This will be the fourth regional council to be formed as part of IGFA’s strategy to increase the association’s international relevance and impact. For more information on the IGFA Regional Council Structure please click HERE.

From left to right: Gonzalo Alamea Camacho - Calisureños Tournaments; Luis Andres Cordova Urrutia - Secretary of fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture of B.C.S.; Andy Saldana, IGFA Marketing Manager; Megan Millar, Stars and Stripes Executive Director; Clicerio Mercado Hernandez - head of Bisbee's Tournaments in Mexico; Luis Antonio Garcia Rodriguez - Head of Fonmar.

During their time in California, IGFA staff also met with officials from Baja California, Mexico, including  Luis Andres Cordova Urrutia, Secretary of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Agriculture of Baja California Sur, who presented the IGFA and IGFA Representative Gary Graham with certificates of appreciation for their youth fishing education efforts in the region. In accepting the award, Graham said, “This has been a mission of love. My passion for fishing and for involving the next generation in the sport has been incorporated into clinics and tournaments by these devoted organizations; they have been an inspiration to work with.”

Captain Frank Ursitti, Owner - Ranger 85 & Managing Partner of H & M Landing, is recognized for his support of IGFA's California Youth Education Program and world-wide initiative to teach 100,000 kids to fish. Making the presentation at Long Beach Fred Hall Show are IGFA Trustee Bob Kurz and IGFA Representative Sally Kurz.

IGFA California Youth Education Program recognizes 2013 Tommy Gifford Awardee, Captain Frank LoPreste, for his support of the world-wide initiative to teach 100,000 kids to fish. Also making the presentation at the Long Beach Fred Hall Show are IGFA Trustee Bob Kurz and IGFA Representative Sally Kurz.

Additionally, IGFA Trustee Bob Kurz and IGFA Representative Sally Kurz recognized Captain Frank LoPreste and Captain Frank Ursitti for their contributions to the IGFA youth education efforts in California. Both LoPreste and Ursitti have donated multiple trips aboard their charter operations to raise funds for youth education efforts which have been crucial to the success of the program in Southern California.

The IGFA would like to express its gratitude to our supporters in California, including North America Regional Meeting sponsor Keesal, Young & Logan, IGFA Fred Hall Show booth sponsor Bart Hall, and the countless volunteers and donors that have helped promote the IGFA mission and goals across the west coast.