On the eve of my favorite fishing industry event, ICAST, I’m packing my bags and ironing out the details of my busy 3-day schedule.

Not unlike a kid on the night before Christmas, I’m also overcome with optimism and exuberance because this is an event that, in many ways, will set the course for the fishing industry for the following year. And for a “bass geek,” nothing evokes exuberance like having all the new fishing gear and all the big industry players under one roof.

To me, it’s also much more than a barometer for the overall industry. It’s also an opportunity to set the pace for my next season, which is why it's important to act professional.

Though I feel I've been successful at presenting myself in a professional manner, I've learned some lessons that have been key to an enjoyable and productive time at fishing’s main industry show.

Know Who You Work For

ICAST is an “industry show," which means it’s technically not open to the public, leaving only exhibitors, sales reps and members of the media, and whichever variations of those exist. With that in mind, if you’re there, you’re probably working for somebody in order to get a credential. Whether that’s a single sponsor/employer, or a mix of several, you are there working for them.

This is something that's been difficult for me in the past, because I admittedly have a bad case of fishing ADD. Now to be fair to myself, I’ve always had a good grasp of being considerate to the companies I work for, but at times I find that it’s difficult not to get distracted when a 100-yard trip to the restroom means an hour and a half of small talk and a bunch of “Ooooh, look at thats.”

In short, I’ve found that it’s important to be sociable and there’s a time to walk the floor, but I now know to find out what’s expected of me and try to outperform those duties before I start working on my own personal business.

Keepin’ it Short and Sweet

Another thing I’ve learned kind of fits in with the first: ICAST is primarily for selling, not pro-staff proposals.

Now this is a bold statement, because ICAST is probably the best place to network with possible sponsors and to strengthen relationships with the ones that you already work with.

What I’m saying is that the primary goal for exhibiting companies is to show off new products and start getting media exposure, and filling orders and pre-orders for these products. That’s numero-uno on their list of priorities. For them, it’s not a “talent” scouting convention, so I’ve seen it many times, when I first started, where I try to pitch a person on sponsoring me and they are less than attentive during my very riveting spiel. I’ve never gotten a sponsorship that way.

I’ve found that my best shot at working with a company is starting a dialog well before ICAST, and then determining whether there is any interest for a brief dinner meeting or chat in the hotel lobby. If I don’t have the right contact before ICAST, I will make a brief introduction, share my intentions, and tell them that I'll follow up with a proposal at a later time. Then I walk away.

People at these shows appreciate a quick, in-and-out conversation.

Stay Under Control

Finally, I’ve learned that there’s a difference between being sociable and too sociable.

Like I shared in my Classic write-up, the nightlife is very much a part of these industry events. I’d wager that the dinner table, or the hotel lobby, is where most of the biggest deals are sealed within the industry. However, I’d also wager that some of the biggest deals are lost in those same locations as the night wears on and personalities get bigger.

I’ve said it before, I’m a social guy and I dig hanging out with friends, and making new ones in the industry. But when you start saying and doing things that you wouldn’t do in front of your boss, then maybe it’s time to go order room service.

The moral of the story is: Have fun, but not too much fun. You may be hanging out with good friends whom you feel completely comfortable with, but there’s always someone watching from afar.

Fun + Business = ICAST

Though this is only my fifth ICAST, I feel that the lessons I've learned over that half-decade have helped me earn a reputation that I want to possess. Sure, I look back on some shows and say “I could've done that better,” but overall, I think that I’m on the right track.

So all in all, I'm very excited about my trip to Orlando, and I'm stoked to have a week filled with fun and business – at the same time.

(Miles "Sonar" Burghoff is an aspiring tour pro and host of the TV series "Sweetwater." To visit his website, click here. You can also visit him on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube (SonarFishing) and Instagram (@sonarfishing).