Trade Associations

The Sea Tow Foundation – a national nonprofit dedicated to the education and awareness of safe boating practices – has welcomed three new members to its board of directors. The board of directors will work with the Sea Tow Foundation’s executive director, Gail Kulp, to develop and revise the Sea Tow Foundation’s strategic plan and ensure the focus of the programs and ...

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) hosted its virtual annual meeting on the evening of Feb. 8, 2022, with attendees from around the world including Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands, Japan, Canada, Puerto Rico, Germany and Switzerland. During the one-hour meeting, ABYC Board Chair Nancy Cueroni joined ABYC President John Adey to discuss updates about the association, announce new ...

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) have set the date for the next free online Risk Mitigation Series, dedicated to reducing the risk involved in designing and building recreational boats. Registration is now open for Risk Mitigation: Series 2--Put the Fire Out!, scheduled for Tuesday, May 17, 2022.  The USCG/ABYC Risk Mitigation: Series ...

The U.S. and Japan are set to announce a deal that would cut tariffs on steel. Under the agreement, a limited amount of Japanese steel will be allowed for import without the 25% levy imposed by President Trump in 2018. If Japan goes over that amount, the tariff would return. Japan is one of the top 10 sources of steel to the ...

The 2022 Progressive® Insurance New York Boat Show®, presented by Discover Boating®, and Progressive® Insurance Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow®, presented by Discover Boating®, both wrapped up on Sunday, January 30. The New York show faced an atypical year as the record East Coast snowstorm forced closure on Saturday (traditionally the show’s busiest day). Coupled with current market-specific challenges, attendance was down ...

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Michael Bennet’s (D-CO) introduced the Rural Outdoor Investment (ROI) Act, which would provide much-needed capital for rural communities seeking to build and plan for recreation economies.The Rural Outdoor Investment (ROI) Act focuses on promoting economic growth in rural communities through coordination and strategic investment in recreation assets, planning and business ...

Registration for the 2022 American Boating Congress (ABC) is now open for all industry stakeholders. The industry’s annual advocacy event returns in-person to Washington, D.C. from Wednesday, May 11 through Friday, May 13, 2022 at the Intercontinental – The Wharf.  Early-bird pricing is available through February 24 here and at the link below.  This year’s advocacy event will feature discussions with members ...

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that it has promoted five employees in Mike Davin, Allison Gruhn, Katie Eichelberger, Sarah Korbel and Cecelia Pallotto, effective immediately. Mike Davin has been promoted to Vice President of Business Planning. In three years at MRAA Davin has helped to craft and enhance MRAA’s brand messaging, marketing and awareness within the marine ...

The Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), owners of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), together with their partner, Informa Markets, producers of FLIBS, announce the record-breaking results of an economic impact study conducted by Thomas J. Murray & Associates of the 2021 show. The study, completed in February 2022, reveals that the 62nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International ...

The Canadian government’s proposed luxury tax on new boats valued at CA $250,000 – originally scheduled to take effect January 1, 2022 – is expected to be fully implemented in the weeks to come. A spokesperson for Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed recently that the government will release draft legislation to implement the tax in the coming weeks.  In ...