The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) announced that its Boat Registration Reactivation Program brought a record number of boats back to the water. The program, which delivered letters to owners of boats with lapsed registrations in 19 states, resulted in more than 60,000 re-registrations. “Year after year, our Boat Registration Reactivation Program has brought tens of thousands of boaters ...

The Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show Innovation Awards program is now accepting submissions. The program provides the opportunity for eligible exhibitors to enter new products into twenty-six product categories. The 2020 Innovation Award winners will be announced and honored during the Miami Boat Show's Innovation Breakfast on Feb. 14, 2020. Entrants to the 2020 program will not only have a chance to win ...

Registration for the 2020 American Boating Congress (ABC) is now open. NMMA said it is encouraging all stakeholders to reserve their spot today. ABC 2020 – the recreational boating industry’s annual advocacy summit in Washington, D.C. – will be held on Tuesday, May 12 through Thursday, May 14. For the first time the event moves to the InterContinental located at ...

South Tampa will soon be home to Tampa’s largest new deep-water marina. Real estate development and land investment firm BTI Partners has started construction of the 150-slip full-service marina able to accommodate large vessels. The marina will be part of the 52-acre Westshore Marina District – a vibrant mixed-use community - on Westshore and Gandy Boulevard on Old Tampa Bay across ...

SmartPlug Systems, manufacturer of safety-focused shore power delivery systems for the recreational and commercial marine, RV and specialty vehicle markets, has hired Ron Bailey as its new global VP of sales and marketing. He joins the company during a transitional period as incumbent Terry Gilliland prepares his retirement in early 2020. Tony Barber, CEO, made the announcement. Bailey brings decades ...

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed a spending measure called a “minibus” – a legislative package that contains multiple appropriations bills – which includes several of the recreational boating industry’s top funding priorities. NMMA outlined these measures in a letter to Congress earlier this year, calling the programs vital to promoting and protecting boating access and local economies that depend ...

Barletta Pontoon Boats, located in Bristol, Ind., announced another investment into its future with the addition of a dedicated space for product research and development. Recently, Barletta announced the addition of Josiah Druckenmiller, formerly of Bennington Marine, as their new director of design & development. With current facilities being fully consumed by production, the company says the new space will ...

Lumishore, manufacturer of LED marine lighting systems, announced it has hired Bob Hamilton as vice president of sales. In his new position, Hamilton is responsible for driving sales efforts and increasing market penetration throughout the Americas. With over two decades of experience in business development and sales management including several years in the marine electronics industry. Hamilton brings a wealth ...

MarineMax, Inc. (NYSE:HZO), the nation’s largest recreational boat and yacht retailer, announced today that it has expanded its financing facility to provide for borrowings of up to $440 million from the previous limit of $400 million. The expanded facility has a three-year term, expiring in October 2022, and it has two, one-year options to renew, subject to lender approval. Borrowings ...

The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) and the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) have agreed to hold their 2020 international convention together at the Doubletree by Hilton at Universal Studios, Orlando, on Sep. 21 - 25, 2020, with the exposition portion of the event being held Sep. 22 and 23. Registration for the annual event will open in ...