Tag Archives: Smoker Craft

The NMMA announced today the induction of two industry veterans into the NMMA Hall of Fame, its most prestigious honor. Joe Miller, Former CEO & Principal at William F. Miller & Associates, and Doug Smoker, President & CEO of Smoker Craft, Inc., will be presented with the 2022 NMMA Hall of Fame Award during the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX). “You ...

Smoker Craft Boats and NMMA, alongside key industry partners in outdoor recreation and conservation, hosted elected officials and staff including included members of the Indiana Senate, Indiana House of Representatives, federal staff representation from U.S. House Representations and U.S. Senate, agency officials and other key industry stakeholders and leaders in conservation, last month for an evening highlighting boating, fishing and ...

By Adam Quandt Once looked at as simple, slow lake cruisers or all-out party barges, pontoons have increased in popularity and versatility since their entrance into the market in the 1950s, and the pontoons of tomorrow show no signs of slowing those trends. “I would say Godfrey – having been one of the first builders to launch an aluminum pontoon ...

Smoker Craft Boats, recipient of NMMA’s inaugural Advocate of the Year award, hosted Senator Todd Young (R-IN) at its facility in New Paris, Indiana last week, capping off a string of industry plant tours during the summer Congressional recess. NMMA members have held more than 20 plant tours with elected officials since the beginning of the year, with several visits ...

Smoker Craft, Inc. announced today that Krista Sparkes has joined the company as Director of Business and Dealer Development. Sparkes brings extensive industry experience to the newly-created position, building on previous roles in powersports and marine sales and dealer operations. This includes nearly 17 years with Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), most recently as Vice President of Sales, North America – ...

Michigan’s Lakeside Motor Sports — a Boating Industry Top 100 dealer — recently unveiled its new 50,000-square-foot marine showroom and service facility, which is now complete and open for business. The new facility was constructed across the street from their currently operating powersports facility. “This expansion represents our continued investment back into our community to make it better for everyone. Our vision of ...

Last week, NMMA and their members held several events and meetings on Capitol Hill and with the administration to highlight the recreational boating industry’s priorities – including trade, the Modern Fish Act, E15, and workforce development. The November midterm elections are just around the corner and NMMA is working diligently to accomplish the industry’s objectives before the end of the ...

Doug Smoker, President of Smoker Craft, and Nicole Vasilaros, NMMA’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Legal Affairs, recently met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to discuss the Administration’s trade policies and their effect on the recreational boating industry. NMMA and their members have been at the forefront of advocating for a resolution in the escalating trade ...

Freshwater fishing remains a critical market segment within the boating industry. Recent data from Statistical Surveys confirms that the market continues to exhibit solid growth in the single digit range.  According to SSI, sales of new retail registered outboard-powered aluminum fishing boats in the U.S. increased from 61,000 in 2016 to 62,000 in 2017.  Total freshwater fishing, which includes aluminum ...

The National Marine Manufacturers Association worked hard to ensure that the codified 2017 Tax Reform Package benefited our members, their employees and the boating industry at large. Last week, the industry association saw that success come to fruition when Smoker Craft passed on those tax benefits directly to its employees through bonuses and raises during a company-wide meeting attended by ...