The first-ever UK Angling Summit – organised by the Angling Trades Association and designed to bring the industry together – will take place at the Arden Hotel, Birmingham on November 19th, 2026. Over the last few months, plans and agenda have been rapidly developing in response to talks between ATA and many of the UK market's leading brands.
The inaugural summit will focus on a "Sustainable future for UK recreational angling" with a five year growth plan to be unveiled at the event alongside the latest developments and benefits of ATA membership.
ATA's five-year plan is focused solely on developing a trade structure to facilitate ease of access to recreational angling and improve the length and scope of each individual angling journey.
ATA Chair, Andrew Race, explained; "The trade has a core role to play in the way people access angling and how long they remain on their angling journey. Some of that structure we have, and some needs to be built. Our plan maximises what we have and puts development of that structure in the first 12 to 18 months as a priority.
"The industry needs confidence so that businesses can plan and invest, confidence that UK recreational angling has a solid sustainable future and that angler numbers and sales will grow.
ATA plans to bring the UK industry together each year establishing the summit and trade surveys as regular elements within the angling calendar."
Andrew added: "ATA members will benefit from many aspects of the work being done by ATA over the next five years. Benefits including access to a wealth of industry data, business information and support, but the most significant factor I think will be the potential brand exposure associated with our UK wide development initiatives.
"Our five-year plan is designed to offer reward for ATA member brands who invest time and money in the initiatives. Our structure ensures that the level of brand exposure achieved will increase as the initiatives grow. This means ATA brands directly benefit from their investment.
"Our membership structure caters for all business models from self-employed to distributors, agents, retailers and fisheries alike."
The event will feature high-profile speakers and industry experts from across the world, discussing key topics that specifically impact UK trade and recreational angling.
We will issue updates on the full programme as the different speakers and topics are announced. With high initial interest in attendance, we expect tickets to be at a premium on the day.
The ATA represents angling manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, fisheries, media and distributors, counting amongst its members many of the UK's major angling names.
The Angling Trades Association works to promote, represent and protect the trade across all three angling disciplines – sea, game and coarse fishing. In so doing, it strives to achieve not only long-term stability for the sport but, more importantly, ongoing growth and development. It partners with many other key angling organisations as well as working closely with the Environment Agency.
It also promotes angling through Get Into Fishing, National Fishing Month and Take A Friend Fishing – initiatives started by the ATA and backed by the membership. ATA members continue to donate £1,000s to support national competitions and a myriad of fishing projects.
For further information contact media lead John Hunter via media@anglingtradesassociation.com