ABC 2005 gets unprecedented support

WASHINGTON – The American Boating Congress 2005 has attracted more sponsors and had more early registrants than any previous year, ABC organizers reported in a release this week.

“The amazing amount of interest in this year’s American Boating Congress is a testament to the importance of this event to the industry,” said NMMA President Thom Dammrich. “I am proud of NMMA members who are coming forward to sponsor the conference and send representatives to Washington to learn more and to serve as advocates for marine manufacturers across the country.”

Indmar Products Company of Tennessee has pledged its support of the ABC to serve as an Admiral Level sponsor of the event. Indmar is sponsoring Monday’s “Business of Boating Entrepreneurial Luncheon” and the conference registration bags.

Captain Level sponsors include Brunswick Boat Group and Mercury Marine, which are co-sponsoring the Gala Awards Dinner. They are joined by Dometic, which is sponsoring the Sunday welcome reception, Volvo Penta, which is sponsoring Monday’s cocktail reception, Yamaha, and the Outdoor Channel. Mustang and Stearns have become Captain Level sponsors by donating personal flotation devices to all conference registrants.

First Mate Sponsors of the event include, American Sportfishing Association, Bennington Marine, BRP, Inc., Compsys, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, GE Commercial Finance, Godfrey Marine, Key Bank, Marinas International, Pursuit Boats, Raritan, Regulator Boats, Tiara Yachts, Webasto Products of North America, Thomas G. Faria Corporation, and the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, which is sponsoring Tuesday’s breakfast.

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), Association of Marina Industries (AMI), Ebbtide, Grady White Boats, Inc., Marine Concepts, Inc, and the Marine Industry Association of South Florida (MIASF) are general sponsors of the legislative conference.

The following companies have also donated goods and services to help make ABC successful:

-Alaska Tree Tops Fishing Lodge
-Audiovox Specialized Applications, LLC
-Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
-Davis Instruments
-Marinas International
-Marine Management Services, Inc.
-Moorings Caribbean Cruise Vacations
-Old World Trading Co.
-ViaVenture – Sportfishing Ventures
-Westrec Marinas
-Willard Bond Studios
-Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A

The American Boating Congress (ABC) is a comprehensive, three-day legislative conference hosted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association in Washington, DC that brings together recreational boating industry leaders to formulate public policy and present a unified front on Capitol Hill on issues that impact marine businesses. This year, ABC will be held in Washington, D.C. on May 1-3, 2005.

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