As summer winds down, so are most of the state legislatures. Six states remain in session, one is in special session, and sixteen are on recess. In late July, the recreational boating industry celebrated a major win in Virginia with the establishment of an outdoor recreation office. Fifteen states now have either offices or task forces dedicated to expanding the ...

Organizers of the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) are still accepting entries for this year's Innovation Awards, though the deadline is quickly approaching. Entries for this year's awards must be submitted by Aug. 30. Entry is completed in three steps: Submit entry formUpload product videoProcess payment IBEX 2019 takes place Oct. 1-3 in Tampa, Fla. For full IBEX Innovation ...

Scott Lewit, President of Structural Composites, Inc. and an active member of the NMMA, has been appointed to Congressman Bill Posey’s Business Advisory board.  Congressman Posey represents Florida’s 8th Congressional District, which encompasses all of Brevard and Indian River Counties, and a small portion of Orange County (Bithlo, Christmas and Wedgefield). “It is quite an honor to be selected for Congressman Posey’s Business Advisory Board," Lewit ...

Pursuit Boats awarded top domestic, international dealers and salespeople during its annual dealer conference in Tampa, Fla. In addition to the awards ceremony, Pursuit hosted business updates, education seminars and sea trials for principles and sales personnel within its dealer network. "Every year, we look forward to sharing our successes and opportunities with our great partners — our valued dealers ...

Following its dealer meeting, Lowe Boats announced the official launch of six new boat models for MY2020, including two new special edition models available for sale immediately. These new offerings range in both the aluminum fish and pontoon segments. Lowe 198 Favorite collaboration bass boat Lowe 198 Favorite In a dynamic collaboration that is already making waves, Lowe Boats and Favorite ...

Grady-White recently announced MarineMax Pensacola as the dealer with top sales worldwide and recipient of the Gold Anchor Sales Award for model year 2019.  "We are extremely honored to receive the Gold Anchor Sales Award from Grady-White Boats," said Aaron Kramer, MarineMax Pensacola general manager. "The team is dedicated to our customers in every way. It's excellent to see proof that our customers feel ...

BoatPAC, the joint political action committee of NMMA and MRAA, will host two upcoming events in Florida with key members of Congress and industry champions.  Next Tuesday, Aug. 27, BoatPAC will host Congressman Mike Waltz in the Orlando/Daytona area at Mission Inn from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.  BoatPAC then heads to Tampa for an event with key industry champions ...

As part of its continued efforts to grow boating, the Recreational Boating Leadership Council’s New Markets Task Force is reorganizing to address its next phase of work within the recreational boating industry. According to chairperson Wanda Kenton Smith, the original 35-person task force collaborated a few years ago to research and share latest diversity findings and trends, plus developed and ...

Oceanmax, innovator of underwater coatings, announced the next phase of its planned global expansion to support greater market penetration for its existing line and new introductions planned for Q3, 2019 and beyond.  Oceanmax is scheduled to open new offices in Europe and America to support their continual growth. These locations will serve as centers of excellence for new products, enhance ...

Marine industry colleagues were recently shocked to learn of the death of Michael Devlin, an industry sales representative who championed multiple brands over a successful 44-year career.  He began his industry career in 1975 as a sales representative with Hurst Enterprises, an Orlando, Fla.-based regional manufacturer of bass boats. He later represented national brands including Regal, ProLine, Wellcraft, Regulator, Scout, ...