Attending pre-Classic events

Follow Gettys Brannon as he goes behind the scenes with Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., and Dave Precht, Vice President of Communications for B.A.S.S., to a series of municipal and media events in the Anderson, S.C., area to kick off the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICKâS Sporting Goods.

First on the agenda was the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anderson Bassmaster Welcome Breakfast at nearby Anderson University. Civic leaders and business people from across Anderson county and the state of South Carolina attended welcoming B.A.S.S. and its flagship event for the third time in 10 years.

Akin was the keynote speaker over breakfast.

Joining him was Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson.

Paul, and his team at Visit Anderson have been integral in securing the Classic for Anderson and Greenville, along with other B.A.S.S. events. Most recently, the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in October, 2017.

âWe are excited to have B.A.S.S. and the Classic back in Anderson,â said Paul. âWe look forward to hosting more B.A.S.S. events [at all levels] in the future.â

Moving forward, Anderson will host the 2018 Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Eastern Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, April 14.

Glenn Brill, Anderson County Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, attended.

Along with County Administrator Rusty Burns.

Brill and Burns waiting for the meeting to begin.

Opening the breakfast was Kevin Capell, Director of Business and External Affairs for the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce.

Capell spoke on the economic effects of the Classic.

âThe economic impact of the Bassmaster Classic is not only local, but regional,â said Capell. âThe Classic leaves a lasting imprint, locally and regionally, far beyond the event itself.â

County Administrator Burns addressed the attendees.

The unique technology of live tournament broadcasting began on Lake Hartwell during the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic, won by local angler Casey Ashley.

âThis is the chance for our area and lake to be showcased internationally,â said Burns. âViewers as far as Japan will see the Lake Hartwell area.â

Next up was Akin, to give his first of many Classic discussions throughout the day.

Akin discussed the programming of Bassmaster LIVE and the <em>Bassmaster</em> television show on the ESPN family of networks, as well as the editorial work of <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times.
<p>
âWhen Bassmaster LIVE debuted here in 2015, the viewership was 312,000,â Akin explained.
âLast year, in Houston that number doubled.â
<p>
âNot only is the coverage from our media team world class, we expect the immediate economic impact on the Anderson community to be between 22-24 million dollars.â

Akin discussed the programming of Bassmaster LIVE and the Bassmaster television show on the ESPN family of networks, as well as the editorial work of Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times.

âWhen Bassmaster LIVE debuted here in 2015, the viewership was 312,000,â Akin explained.
âLast year, in Houston that number doubled.â

âNot only is the coverage from our media team world class, we expect the immediate economic impact on the Anderson community to be between 22-24 million dollars.â

Longtime VP of Communications, Dave Precht looked on over breakfast.

Along with leaders in the Anderson business community.

One of the chamberâs favorite features was already on Bassmaster.com, âTournament Town: Anderson, South Carolina,â by Craig Lamb.

Copies were passed out to everyone in attendance.

Questions were fielded by Akin, before he left the podium.

Matt Schell, Anderson Parks Manager, awarded Akinâ¦

â¦and Precht with a keepsake from the construction of the new phase of Green Pond landing.

These circular slices of steel were not the first piece of construction site souvenirs given to B.A.S.S. In 2015, Schell presented Akin with an I-beam from, quite possibly, the largest concrete ramp push U.S. history.

âThe circular pieces of steel pilings represent the continued partnership of Anderson and B.A.S.S.,â said Schell. âThis is a symbol of the commitment and promise required for the Classic and B.A.S.S. to return to our facilities.â

Schell and Burns speak after the meeting before heading to Green Pond to continue the tour.

David Belk, General Contractor of the Green Pond project, Glenn Brill, and Tom Child, the installer of the dock systems, converse about the new dock system, installed before the Classic.

The new dock system is 350 feet long and 10 feet wide. The construction of the latest dock will provide much needed room for spectators and boaters for the Classic.

Precht and Akin hold their steel emblems up for a photo atop Green Pond.

…

Each are inscribed with Green Pondâ¦

â¦and the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.

Akin sits for his first of many interviews of the afternoon with local media.

â¦

â¦

â¦

â¦

Glenn Brill with Anderson Parks discussed the Classicâs return with Nicole Ford of WSPA, a CBS affiliate in Upstate S.C.

â¦

â¦

â¦

â¦

â¦

â¦

â¦

â¦

Aerial view of Green Pond landing provided by Tom Child.

We leave Green Pond for a trip back to Anderson.

Around the Anderson and Greenville area billboards of 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic Champion, Jordan Lee, can be seen.

Akin wrapped up the day with a visit to the Greater Anderson County Rotary Club.

All attendees to the dayâs conferences received a copy of <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine and <em>B.A.S.S. Times</em>.

All attendees to the dayâs conferences received a copy of Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times.

â¦

The Greater Anderson Rotary club has more than 70 members, most of which were in attendance for the luncheon.

Akin touched on the conservation and the promotion of the countyâs natural resources on all levels of fishing competition.

Dave Precht, Glenn Brill, Bruce Akin, Jeanie Campbell, President of the Greater Anderson Rotary Club, Neil Paul, and Tricia McDougald, of the Greater Anderson Rotary Club, pose for a photo to wrap up the dayâs festivities.