NMMA announces 2015 show lineup, Progressive Boat School

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio – The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies is continuing its longstanding partnership with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to sponsor 20 of the country’s premier boat shows. Progressive and NMMA are making boater education a top priority in their 2015 schedule.

The Progressive Marina experience includes the Progressive Boat School, developed with the Annapolis School of Seamanship to help consumers learn to boat confidently while having fun. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in engaging sessions on watersports safety and proper docking procedures, and have the opportunity to earn discounts on boat insurance as a result.

“We’ve teamed up with NMMA and the Annapolis School of Seamanship to create a new and engaging experience around boating education and safety, to maximize your experience on the water,” said Rick Stern, Progressive Boat Product Manager. “We feel so strongly about safety on the water that we’re offering a policy discount for visitors, new or current Progressive customers, who complete our onsite course and some supplemental online material.”

Progressive Boat School seminars include:

• Gateway to Boating – get an overview of the styles and types of boats and how they fit various boating lifestyles.
• Watersports Safety – gain the know-how needed to keep everyone safe on the water while having fun.
• iNavigation – learn how to use the new innovations available to boaters – from traditional compass and paper charts, to onboard electronics and mobile devices.
• Boat Systems – learn how to manage boat systems from stem to stern.
• Docking & Line Handling – learn the ropes with tricks and techniques that can make docking easy.

The Progressive Marina will also include an interactive boat replica with an indoor pool for instructional demos, a boating simulator and a see-through motion sensor digital floor.

In addition to the Progressive Boat School, NMMA shows offer complimentary daily DIY maintenance seminars at Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center, fishing seminars, the Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training series and more.

“An educated boater is a safe boater, and our goal as a boat show producer is to arm boaters with the knowledge needed to boat confidently and enjoy a lifetime on the water with family and friends,” said Ben Wold, NMMA Vice President. “We’re thrilled to further our partnership with Progressive and provide an educational area that will provide a solid foundation for new boaters and allow seasoned captains to polish their skills in a fun, interactive environment.”

Visit www.BoatShows.com for the comprehensive show schedule.