Boating Industry Intelligence You Can Profit From
As part of the National Marine Manufacturers Association's new “State of the Month” Capitol Hill outreach strategy, the federal government relations team has concluded its April meetings with members of Congress and staff from Minnesota’s 10-member congressional delegation, comprised of eight House members and two members of the Senate.
Having a concerted focus on a state has helped shine a light on recreational boating and our priorities among congressional delegates. And as a direct result of this month’s meetings, Rep. Collin Peterson (MN-7) is co-leading a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission urging them to consider the impacts of aluminum tariffs on the recreational marine industry.
During the April meetings with the Minnesota delegation, the NMMA federal affairs team discussed its 2018 Boating Legislative Priorities, with a focus on trade policy, the Modern Fish Act, aquatic invasive species (AIS) programs, and ethanol and fuel policy.
Members of Congress and their staff were engaged on these issues and expressed an interest in working with NMMA on achieving its legislative priorities.
“State of the Month” outreach also includes social media activities to better tell recreational boating’s story in each state while targeting key decision makers.
Social efforts in April highlighted Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes," which has a significant recreational boating footprint, with the industry contributing $5.5 billion annually to the economy and supporting more than 28,790 jobs. Annual retail sales of new boats, engines, and marine accessories total $36 billion in Minnesota. Additionally, the state is home to over 817,560 registered boats.
The federal affairs team will focus its “State of the Month” efforts in May on Michigan. If you are a Michigan-based business and have an issue or idea you’d like us to address during our meetings, please contact NMMA’s Vice President of Federal and Legal Affairs Nicole Vasilaros.
Well done for getting the message across to the decision-makers!
Unless we all keep advising our elected representatives about the benefits of the marine industry, they will keep overlooking us.
There is a really good story here - jobs, investment and recreational activities - and we need to keep telling the politicians and their advisers.
Keep up the good work!