Trade Associations

Following months of negotiation and several congressional committee hearings, Congress is expected to vote on reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by the end of the year. WRDA authorizes civil works projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which are imperative to supporting sustainable recreational boating access. Since 2014, WRDA has been reauthorized on ...

With the pandemic putting more people than ever on the water and consequent rise in boating accidents and fatalities, there’s some better news in the newly released 2021 U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics. The latest Coast Guard report shows double-digit declines year-over-year across the board in the main boating safety indicators: Boating accidents dropped 15.7%, injuries decreased 17.2%, and ...

NMMA announced Jeff Wasil as Director of Environment, Health and Safety Compliance. He will serve as the technical representative to external organizations, advise NMMA members on environmental regulations and work on international issues impacting the boating industry. Wasil has been a leader of global marine regulatory development and key member of marine industry technical projects during his tenure at Bombardier ...

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released a new report on career opportunities in the $689 billion outdoor recreation sector, to help industry leaders, policymakers and prospective workers understand how these jobs provide outstanding quality of life, support conservation goals, strengthen local economies, and connect Americans to the great outdoors. “The backbone of this thriving sector is a growing workforce that meets the ...

In a new economic impact report conducted by Thomas J. Murray & Associates, the 2022 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show – a joint production from Informa Markets, the NMMA, and the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA) – generated more than $955 million, created over 5,000 jobs, and attracted 100,000 visitors during its five-day run over Presidents Day Weekend. “As the producers of ...

The Sea Tow Foundation, in cooperation with its Boating Safety Advisory Council, has announced the official call for entries for the “2022 National Boating Industry Safety Awards.”  “The Sea Tow Foundation is excited to enter its fourth year hosting the National Boating Industry Safety Awards and to present this year’s awards just prior to the start of IBEX 2022 in Tampa, FL. ...

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced yesterday the 2022 Regional Fishery Management Council (RFMC) appointments. The recreation sector acknowledges the following appointments: Richard Bellavance of Rhode Island to the New England Council; Scott Lenox of Maryland and Ken Neill of Virginia to the Mid-Atlantic Council; Gary Borland of South Carolina to the South Atlantic Council; Michael McDermott of Mississippi, Troy Williamson ...

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 NMMA Hall of Fame Award, which will be presented during the IBEX Industry Breakfast on September 27 in Tampa, FL. NMMA Hall of Fame inductees are marine industry icons—visionaries whose outstanding contributions have and continue to advance, guide, and transform the industry. To nominate a worthy marine leader, one must be an active member in ...

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is proud to announce today that 100 percent of the MRAA Board of Directors has contributed to BoatPAC, the federal political action committee representing the recreational boating industry. The joint PAC fund of the MRAA, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Association of Marina Industries (AMI), BoatPAC’s mission is to support ...

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) has launched an on-demand course for their newest professional certification, Advanced Marine Electrical. The online certification contains new videos, readable content and chapter review quizzes.  “As electric and electronics systems on recreational vessels become more complex, technicians need to expand their knowledge to provide the service their customers require,” said David Broadbent, ABYC education director. “Continuing education ...