More than 130 expected at ABC

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 130 attendees representing boat manufacturers, engine manufacturers, trailer manufacturers, marina owners and operators, local marine trade associations and related groups will gather tomorrow in Washington, D.C. for the American Boating Congress (ABC), the National Marine Manufacturers Association reported in a statement this morning.

The event, which has been shortened to one day this year, is NMMA’s annual legislative conference. It will begin with speakers from Congress and the Administration, and conclude with more than 100 individual visits to members of Congress and their staffs, according to NMMA.

The following members of Congress will address the conference during ABC’s Congressional Forum: Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), Representative Ron Klein (D-Florida), Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), Representative Steven Kagen (D-Wisconsin), Representative John Shadegg (R-Arizona), and Representative Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana), who will provide the keynote luncheon address

Featured speakers include: Karl Simon, Environmental Protection Agency, who will discuss ethanol policy; Jeffrey Wrase, Ph.D., Republican Chief Economist, Joint Economic Committee, U.S. Congress, who will provide a Capitol Hill perspective on the economy; and Nicholas Calio, executive vice president for Global Government Affairs, Citigroup, who will speak about the importance of advocacy.

“As a new Administration and the 111th Congress kick off a busy legislative year on Capitol Hill, it’s more important than ever for lawmakers to hear our industry’s collective voice,” said NMMA President Thom Dammrich. “We’re pleased that so many organizations have made attending ABC a priority, especially during this challenging economic climate.”

ABC 2009’s sponsors include the following: at the Admiral’s Level, Brunswick Boat Group, Mercury Marine, Yamaha Marine and Yamaha Watercraft; at the First Mate’s Level, ASA Electronics, Center for Coastal Conservation, Ilmor Marine, Indmar Products Co., Marinas International and Volvo Penta; and at the Purser’s Level, Beneteau USA, Caterpillar, EZ Loader, Marine Concepts and Optronics.

For more information on ABC, contact Christine Pomorski at 202-737-9774 or cpomorski@nmma.org.

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