Tackle Trade World - December 2022

CONFLUENCE MEET-UP SET FOR US
FLY TRADE
Dates have been set and initial plans
announced for the US fly tackle trade’s
key event in 2023 – which has been named
The Confluence.
The event, which takes over from the old
International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD)
Show, will take place from 26th to 28th
September 2023 and will bring together
a host of elements including seminars,
trade gatherings, a show floor and even an
outdoor, water-based demo initiative.
It is being organised by the American
Fly Fishing Trade Association and follows
lengthy discussions at its Industry Summit
in North Carolina at the end of October.
AFFTA’s Confluence, like the 2022
IFTD show, will be staged at the Salt
Palace Convention Centre but this time
the organiser will also be utilising a nearby
park and pond for some ‘live‘ product
demos, offering more hands-on experience
than was available before on the traditional
casting pond.
The plan at present will see the first
two days featuring seminars and talks
before the show floor, awards showcase and
outdoor product demos will be held.
AFFTA’s Kenneth Andres told TTW:
“The Confluence will be a meaningful
solution for the fly fishing industry. It
has received the backing of all the major
manufacturers and retailers present at
our recent Industry Summit. We listened
to what everyone wanted and have acted
accordingly.
“We will have peer-to-peer seminars
where members of the organisation and
industry at large can gather and talk
about the business of fly fishing in a great
environment.
“Then we will move to the show floor
and enjoy both indoor interaction and
outdoor applications with plenty of
branding-building and product launch
opportunities.
“In addition, there will be a major focus
on conservation, which is something that is
a big part of AFFTA and a crucial part of
the industry as a whole.”
www.affta.org
Semperfli lands at new home as it expands
UK fly tying materials
manufacturer Semperfli has
moved to great new premises
to help accommodate its fastgrowing
business.
Demand for Semperfli
materials is so high globally
that the Yorkshire-based
company had no choice but to
seriously expand its premises
and was fortunate to be able to
find the ideal place locally.
The team spent a great
deal of time and investment
remodelling it to be perfect for
its operation, with specialist
departments created for the
dye laboratories, stores, factory,
final assembly, warehouse and,
of course, offices for the sales
team, directors and admin
team.
Semperfli director Ann
Kitchener said: “This is one
fantastic space, specifically
created and dedicated to
making the very best tying
materials, without question.
“Anything that Semperfli
does always has a very strong
infrastructure beneath it, so rest
assured that the IT systems,
security and facilities in the
building are second to none.
“The most up-to-date
equipment, gigabit networks,
fibre optic internet connections
and technologies throughout
the operation have been
installed and it is something to
behold. The latest technologies
have been used throughout so
information is available at the
touch of a button.
“The same goes for
the R&D department,
product development and
manufacturing and partner
resources – there is always
vast technical supporting
The Semperfli brand is growing
all the time.
everything.”
It is fair to say that the
Semperfli team are loving the
new space and it is already
making a massive difference.
The increased space means they
can service their worldwide
clients even better and faster.
Semperfli is very proud to fly
two flags outside the building
– the instantly recognisable
Proudly flying the flags for the
company.
Semperfli flag and the Queen’s
Award flag for its recent
prestigious award.
Ann concluded: “It’s no
surprise that a company that
provides such high quality
tying materials would have a
quality operation to make that
happen!”
www.semperfli.net
10 www.tackletradeworld.com