Media Tracking
Report
03/06/2008
Article Index
Archive
National Marine
Manufacturers Association Coverage
MRAA And NMMA Disagree Over Alaska Bill
[Boating Industry (Online), 03/04/2008]
A bill calling for the legislation of marine dealer-manufacturer
agreements was passed out of the Alaska House Judiciary Committee on
Feb. 13 and, having been re-written by the Alaska House legal service
department to address the 10 amendments approved during bill discussion,
is poised to move on to the House Rules Committee...The National
Marine Manufacturers Association, however, "doesn't think it's a
good bill" and is therefore "vigorously opposed" to it, said David
Dickerson, the association's director of state government relations, in
a recent interview…NMMA believes
that part of what has slowed the bill's progress through Alaska's
legislative system is that it was originally positioned as a consumer
bill, yet it's "hard to make the connection between the needs of
consumers and the provisions in this bill," Dickerson said..."There's
an awful lot about dealer protection and almost nothing in there about
consumer protection."...
Mercury Reports Leadership Changes
[The Reporter (WI), 03/06/2008]
By Brett Rowland
...Earlier this month, Mercury shut down all manufacturing operations in
an effort to balance supply of its products with demand. The weeklong
shutdown came after 48 employees took voluntary and temporary layoffs
starting Feb. 18...As the economy has been taking on water, boat sales
have been floundering. Sales are expected to decline along with other
big-ticket items this year, said Kelly Kaylor, assistant director of
communications at the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
"Boat show sales have been mixed in the first few months of 2008,"
Kaylor said. "Larger boats and yachts were selling well at most shows,
and some dealers of smaller/entry level boats were also reporting strong
sales. However, this is the category that's most impacted by
fluctuations in the economy, and so it's no surprise some dealers were
seeing weaker sales of smaller boats."...
NMMA Canada Hires New VP
[Boating Industry (Online), 02/15/2008]
The National Marine Manufacturers Association recently hired Sara
Anghel as vice president of Government Relations and Public Affairs for
NMMA Canada. In her new role with NMMA Canada, Anghel will
lead industry representation and advocacy efforts in Canada by providing
counsel, support and strategic input to a range of policy and advocacy
issues. She will also play a key role in shaping, steering and
implementing advocacy strategies primarily focused at the federal level,
NMMA said..."We are thrilled to have Sara overseeing government
relations efforts on behalf of NMMA Canada," said NMMA
president Thom Dammrich. "Her years and breadth of experience will serve
the association well as she takes the reigns and begins working to
support recreational boating interests throughout Canada."
Marinas Becoming Bigger, Adding Luxurious Amenities
[Charleston Regional Business Journal, 03/02/2008]
By Kathleen Dayton
...Those who can afford bigger boats are also demanding more luxurious
amenities at marinas: bigger ships stores with clothing in addition to
food, meeting and reception rooms, swimming pools, reading lounges and
Wi-Fi and Internet access...The average boater also wants more, said
Scott Chapman, co-owner of Barrier Island Marine and Barrier Island
Yacht Sales..."We don't see the small boater or middle-class boater
getting pushed out of boating by the large boats," Dammrich said......"Whether
you're a large boater or a medium-size boater, you're looking for more
amenities (from) electric power (to) Internet, flat-panel TVs and
stereos."...Thom
Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association,
said 75% of all boat owners earn $100,000 or less...
Walk The Boat Show Floor In Comfy Crocs
[Soundings, 03/01/2008]
By Elizabeth Ellis
...The quirky, lightweight, colorful shoes have helped changed the course
of boating footwear, and the National Marine Manufacturers
Association has taken advantage of this popularity, partnering with
Crocs for Test Drive Station promotions at 12 of its boat and sport
shows this year. "We've had a little history with them," says Steve
Borg, sponsorship sales manager for NMMA. "I remember they had a
booth at one of the first shows we ever did in 2002 in Florida. I was in
a marketing meeting last summer, and a representative from Crocs talked
about how they really got their start at boat shows, and now they are
part of NASCAR and Major League Baseball. But they wanted to go back to
their roots with the boating industry."...
Packing On The Pounds
[Boating, 03/01/2008]
By Jeff Hemmel
...Sure, everyone talks about how weight is detrimental to boats, but we
wanted to see if this is truly the case. So we got a boat, grabbed our
test gear, and started packing on the pounds in search of answers. And
while there were times where weight obviously had its ill effects, the
results we got weren't always what you'd expect...Next time you go
aboard, look for the black and yellow capacity plate prominently
displayed in the cockpit. If your boat is 20' or shorter, it's required
to have one by the Coast Guard. If your boat is shorter than 26', the
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) requires one
to achieve certification...
COMITT Draws More Than 100
Participants
[Boating Industry (Online), 02/29/2008]
More than 100 marine industry educators, manufacturers, marine trade
associations and workforce development professionals took part in the
third Conference on Marine Industry Technical Training in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla., earlier this month, organizers reported in a release
this week...Produced by MITEC and co-sponsored by the American Boat &
Yacht Council, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and
Professional Boatbuilder magazine, the conference concentrated on
strategies to recruit and retain marine-industry employees, addressing a
workforce shortage that has become a severe problem in the industry...
Certified Dealers Give Boaters A Bill... Of Rights
[Ocean Pines Independent, 02/13/2008]
By Bruce Pringle
...Under a 2-year-old national program, boat dealers can be recognized
as meeting standards on treating customers fairly and efficiently.
Certified dealers must pledge adherence to a "Consumer Bill of Rights"
that assures boat owners and potential boat owners of honest, expert
help and service...Grow Boating representatives are to review
each participating dealership every year..."The cost for a lot of
dealerships is not cheap," Short said, but some boat manufacturers are
getting in on the act, helping to pay the fees of dealerships carrying
their brands. In some parts of the country, financial assistance to the
boating industry couldn't come at a more opportune time. The National
Marine Manufacturers Association reported in January that its most
recent year-to-date figures showed that registrations for new powerboats
had fallen 7 percent from the previous 12-month period...
Discover
Boating Coverage
You Gotta Have It
[Post-Standard (NY), 02/13/2008]
It's the law to keep your boat safely equipped. Federal law says you must
have certain safety equipment aboard...Although not required by law,
the Discover Boating Campaign suggests having additional
equipment including an anchor, a marine radio, cell phone, a first-aid
kit, chart of waters you are boating in, a radio for weather reports,
binoculars and sufficient rope for tying up to a dock...
The Joy Of Boating
[IN FOCUS Magazine, 02/13/2008]
...IN FOCUS Magazine used the momentum from the recent Miami
International Boat Show as the spark plug to launch the new
department called THE JOY OF BOATING. The new department will piggy back
on the current DISCOVER BOATING initiative being promoted by the
National Marine Manufacturers Association...
Boat Show Coverage
Cat On The Prowl
[Motor Boating, 03/01/2008]
There are many good reasons to attend boat shows, but the National
Marine Manufacturers Association gave us one more good excuse to
leave work early and head for the Atlantic City International Power
Boat Show recently. On display was the 40-foot Miss Geico, an
offshore catamaran powered by 1,500 hp refurbished helicopter engines.
This craft took the racing scene by storm in 2006 by besting a number of
records...
For The 20th Year Running
[Yachts International, 03/01/2008]
By Cecile Gauert
....Running concurrently is the Miami International Boat Show,
produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. From
its 1941 humble beginnings, with 50 exhibitors gathered under one tent,
over the years the show grew to include several locations across the
Miami area...Bayside's Miamarina is home to the Strictly Sail
boat show. The boat shows attract well over 100,000 visitors, a good
many of them traveling to Florida for the events...
Two Strictly Sail Shows See Slight Drops In Attendance
[Boating Industry Online (Online), 02/29/2008]
Despite slight drop-offs in attendance during the 2008 installments of
Strictly
Sail Chicago and Strictly Sail Miami, exhibitors at both
shows report plentiful crowds and eager buyers in their respective
markets, organizers reported in a release this week..."Strictly Sail
Chicago and Miami were both tremendous successes from an exhibitor
perspective, as a variety of show participants noted a considerable
number of leads and strong sales as a result of this years' events,"
said Kevin Murphy, show manager for Strictly Sail Chicago and
Strictly Sail Miami...
Outdoor Show Comes To Tampa
[Florida Sportsman (Online), 02/26/2008]
The Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo and Boat Show, hosted by Frank
Sargeant, arrives at the Florida State Fairgrounds Friday, Feb. 29.
Billed Florida's largest outdoors expo, the Tampa Tribune Outdoor
Expo and Boat Show opens for its 17th year Friday, Feb. 29.
Attendees can expect "hands-on, how-to entertainment, presentations from
a variety of outdoors experts, and a shopping extravaganza and boat show
in a family-friendly, country-fair atmosphere."...
Down Jersey Outdoors
[Cumberland County Reminder, 02/13/2008]
With the Garden State Sportsman Show and Atlantic City Powerboat show
having made their January and February appearances, there are still many
more outdoors events on the docket. Coming up quickly near the end of
February is MAC Promotions Spring Boat Show at the N.J.
Convention & Exposition Center in Edison, Middlesex County. This show
offers small & medium sized boats, boating supplies and equipment, and a
good roundup of fishing seminars...The Wildwood Boat Show, one of
the latest in the year, emphasizes end-of-the-spring bargains in fishing
boats...