Media Tracking
Report
10/04/2007
Article Index
Archive
National Marine Manufacturers Association Coverage
ABYC Standards Topic of Discussion at December Seminar
[Soundings (Trade Only) (Online), 10/01/2007]
Registration is
officially open for the 2007 Engineering Compliance Seminar, part of the
National Marine Manufacturers Association's Certification
Program. The seminar will take place Dec. 3 to 5 at the Sheraton Hotel
in downtown Nashville…This year the seminar features a new session,
Basic Electric Overview, for individuals new or unfamiliar with
electrical systems. NMMA's Engineering Standards staff will also
be available to answer manufacturer questions regarding the NMMA
Boat/Yacht Certification process. "The seminar presents a great
opportunity for individuals to familiarize themselves with existing
standards and the way they change over time," said Tom Marhevko, NMMA
vice president of engineering standards, in a statement. "Having so many
boatbuilding professionals and engineering experts in one place makes
this a can't-miss event for our industry."
Open Season: Sportsmen
pivotal to the American economy
[SouthCoastToday.com, 09/30/2007]
By Marc Folco
America's 34 million hunters and anglers are among the most prominent and influential of all demographic groups, according to a new report by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF). Spending more than $76 billion a year on hunting and fishing, America's sportsmen would rank in the top 20 list on the Fortune 500. Their spending is greater than the combined revenues of high-tech giants Microsoft, Google, eBay and Yahoo…"Boating plays a larger role in hunting and fishing than people realize, especially in terms of money spent and participation," noted Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. "Figures from the U.S.F.W.S. survey estimate that sportsmen spend more than $11 billion on boat fuel, boats and related equipment to get them around in the marshes and out on the water."…
This story was also
covered by
Shooting Sports Retailer (Online).
Top 10 Tips For Safe
Personal Watercraft Operation
[Sanford Herald (Online), 09/30/2007]
Are PWCs dangerous?
According to Boat Owners Association of The United States, the answer to
that question depends on who is driving. The most recent figures from
the U.S. Coast Guard and National Marine Manufacturers Association
show that PWCs (personal watercraft) represent 9% of all registered
vessels in the U.S., but account for a whopping 26% of reported boating
accidents…
Marine Motors: Challenges &
Opportunities
[Engine Builder (Online), 09/28/2007]
By Doug Kaufman
…According to the
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA, sort of the
SEMA of the high seas), recreational boating continues to be a major
consumer goods industry. The number of boats in use was nearly 18
million in 2006, a figure that is 13 percent higher than in 1989. In
2006, boating generated $39.5 billion in sales and services, an increase
of 6 percent from 2005…To the outsider, boating is often considered a
luxury, but the NMMA says the average boater is actually middle
class. Three-fourths of current boat owners have household incomes under
$100,000, so it's not as if getting into this market will introduce you
to millionaires. Still, the Pandora's box of "want vs. need" is just as
strong in the water as it is on the street…
On Plane:
10/07
[Trailer Boats (Online),
09/27/2007]
By Ron Eldridge
It’s official. You
people are a bunch of wrench-turning fools. We’ve known this all along,
but the point was driven home in our recent reader survey, which showed
that technical, maintenance and how-to stories rank as our most popular
features…The National Marine Manufacturers Association has long
identified service as a weak link in the chain, and has taken steps to
improve satisfaction via its Certified Dealership program and the
Boaters Bill of Rights...
Selling slow boats to a
faster crowd
[New York Times, 09/26/2007]
By Dee Gill
Almost since its
introduction more than a century ago, the electric pleasure boat has
been known as the golf cart of the sea, loved mainly by the oldest of
the retiree set. With an old-fashioned canvas canopy and a top speed of
about eight miles per hour, it is a notoriously unhip craft, holding
little appeal among the younger sail-and-power crowd that has made
recreational boating an $11 billion-a-year industry…Although the boats
experienced a brief heyday after making their debut at the 1893 Chicago
World's Fair, their appeal has been limited. The National Marine
Manufacturers Association says sales in this category are too small
to track, and only a few small businesses build these boats…
NMMA names Government
Relations VP
[Boating Industry (Online), 09/25/2007]
The National Marine Manufacturers Association has selected long-time public servant Scott Gudes as vice president of government relations, NMMA said in a press release yesterday. Gudes will lead the organization's Washington, D.C. office effective Oct. 9…"I know that the wealth of experience Scott brings to this position will take our advocacy on behalf of the recreational boating industry to the next level as we face very serious challenges like the ballast water issue, energy policy, and promoting pro-trade and pro-manufacturing policy," said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president...
This story was also
covered by
Soundings (Trade
Only) (Online).
Bertram Marine Receive
Certification from NMMA
[Fly Fishing in Saltwaters (Online), 09/24/2007]
Ft. Lauderdale-based Allied Richard Bertram Marine Group (ARBMG), one of the leading privately owned yacht sales and service organizations in the United States, recently received a Marine Industry Dealer Certification from the prestigious National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) for each of their sales and service facilities throughout Florida. The NMMA is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry and members include more than 1,400 marine-related companies that are dedicated to meeting and exceeding customer needs. "We take enormous pride in providing our customers with outstanding service and professionalism," said Jousma. "The NMMA certification assures consumers that they will have a very satisfying buying and after-sales experience which exemplifies our commitment to excellence."…
This story was also
covered by
Marlin (Online) and
Sport Fishing (Online).
Incentive to buy
[The Capital (Online), 09/23/2007]
By Katie Arcieri
As the economy suffers
in the wake of the national credit crisis and housing slump, local boat
buyers should expect thousands of dollars in incentives when the famed
Annapolis Boat Shows gets under way next month. Tidewater Marina and
Annapolis Yacht Sales are both offering consumers "fractional ownership"
options, allowing them to split the cost of boats. Tidewater's even
throwing in free equipment packages - with stereos, flat-screen TVs and
in-mast furlings - worth as much as $25,000…"Clearly, softening in the
housing market has contributed to softening in the first half of this
year in the boating industry," said Thom Dammrich, president of the
National Marine Manufacturers Association. "I think with this
interest-rate cut, it's going to position us for a recovery in 2008."...
The Ships Sail On
[News-Dispatch, 09/02/2007]
By Amanda Haverstick
Discover Boating Coverage
Norwalk
International In-Water Boat Show Date: 09/20/07
[WKHL-Radio 96.7 FM (Online), 09/20/2007]
The 32nd Norwalk International In-Water Boat Show (NIIBS), the northeast's most popular in-water boat show, will be held at the Norwalk Cove Marina in East Norwalk from Thursday, September 20 through Sunday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily…"Since boating is an experience the family enjoys together, we encourage parents to include the kids while they see the latest models and shop our top-notch marine accessories selection. Discovery Point is a great place for kids to learn knot tying, boat building, fishing and conservation - and the whole family can enjoy free Discover Boating and Sailing rides on Long Island Sound ," notes Show Manager Jon Pritko…Show Highlights…* DISCOVER BOATING CENTER -- There's a boat for every age, lifestyle and budget. If you're wondering how to find yours, visit the Discover Boating Center for unbiased answers to any boating question. Visit DiscoverBoating.com for more information about how to get started…
This story was also
covered by
The Sunday Advocate (CT).
Marketing Master
[Boating Industry, 09/01/2007]
By Liz Walz
…The MasterCraft
executive certainly has gained the respect of his peers. Not only did
those industry leaders who helped found the Grow Boating Initiative
nominate Dorton as chairman of its Marketing Task Force, his leadership
of it has since been touted as a vital part of the Discover Boating
campaign's success. "He's a strong leader," says Carl Blackwell, NMMA
vice president of marketing. "As chairman, he allows for there to be
ample discussion, but at the end of the day, he sees through the
arguments and brings consensus to people that are pretty opinionated.
Without John, I think we would probably still be discussing the first
creative execution."…Both Dorton and Blackwell agree that on an
individual company basis, the industry tends to advertise to the same
people again and again – and often in similar ways. "Part of the
challenge the industry faces is that our individual marketing budgets
don't allow us to do a lot of mainstream advertising," Blackwell says.
"That's the beauty of Discover Boating. We can do something
together that we can't do alone."…
Leads to nowhere
[Boating Industry, 09/01/2007]
By Matt Gruhn
While unit sales
continue to plummet, the industry is missing the mark with the
Discover Boating leads and worse yet, oftentimes not even using
them. Here are seven tips to take advantage of these virtual
opportunities…Over the past couple years, the marine industry has
collaborated to spend more than $20 million on advertising, marketing
and PR expenses related to the Discover Boating campaign.
Simultaneously, 231 dealers (through July) have spent a grand total of
nearly $600,000 to become certified. Many dealers snarled at the $2,495
introductory price for this stamp of approval because the funds often
had to be drawn from their own pockets…Perhaps the biggest being: How
can the industry ignore leads it's paying millions to generate? And why
isn't more effort being made to understand how best to use these leads
and map out a plan for doing so? These prospects can be converted to
sales. In fact, they already are for those who are making a concerted
effort. In a July presentation, National Marine Manufacturers
Association President Thom Dammrich reported that 10 percent of the
prospects generated by the 2006 Discover Boating campaign have
already purchased a boat, 45 percent of whom purchased it new. If those
results are being generated despite the current lack of lead management
and amidst market downturn, it's clear the potential is much bigger...
Short Film Shows the Power
of Boating
[Inland Valley News, 08/09/2007]
..."Once you leave the
dock, it doesn't matter if you're only 20 minutes from your home, you
and your family feel as if you're a million miles away." It was that
feeling and experience that inspired the short film titled “Good Run,”
featured on the Web site www.DiscoverBoating.com. Directed by
Academy Award nominee Wally Pfister, “Good Run” chronicles a man’s life
and how boating was the common thread weaved throughout his fondest
memories. “We were looking for a way to pay tribute to those who love
boating, while showing boating’s powerful ability to connect people to
those who may have never experienced being on the water for themselves,”
said Carl Blackwell, vice president of marketing and communications for
the national Discover Boating campaign. "The response we're
receiving from “Good Run” is exactly what we were aiming for. People are
moved by the role boating can play in the enrichment of our
relationships with family and friends." Those introduced to boating
early in life tend to stick with it. A study by the National Marine
Manufacturers Association found that 70 percent of American boaters
had gone boating as a child…
Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show Coverage
Boat Bling Promo to Debut at 2008
[Boats.com, 09/28/2007]
Building on the success of this year's "Bling My Boat" promotion at the 35th annual Minneapolis Boat Show, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) will feature the promotion at a pair of its boat shows in 2008-looking to again duplicate its success at the Minneapolis event and introduce it for the first time at the 78th annual Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show…"The 'Bling My Boat' promotion we did this year in Minneapolis was a huge success, earning nearly 33 million media impressions through public relations efforts, and we decided to not only bring the concept back to Minneapolis in 2008, but also expand it into other boat show markets," says Ben Wold, NMMA executive vice president. "We anticipate an even more popular and favorable response this year."
This story was also
covered by
Soundings (Trade Only) (Online).
Boat Show Coverage
Sailfest
is Coming!
[Latitudes & Attitudes, 10/01/2007]
The National Marine
Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Sail America are
learning up to launch a new "Sailfest" in connection with two upcoming
boat shows, the Virginia In-Water Boat Expo Sept. 14-16, and the
Baltimore Boat Show Jan. 23-27, '08…If these two Sailfests are
successful, you can expect to see more in conjunction with future
NMMA-produced boat shows and events…
The Boating Business
Newspaper Online
[Soundings (Trade Only) (Online), 09/26/2007]
…Three of the four
National Marine Manufacturers Association fall boat shows – Tampa,
Fla., Toronto and Norwalk, Conn. – reported an increase in attendance
compared to 2006 figures. The Tampa and Toronto shows saw attendance
increases of 5 and 7 percent respectively, but in Norwalk attendance was
up an impressive 22 percent from last year and 13 percent over the
show's three-year average.
Calendar
[Soundings (Trade Only),
09/01/2007]