Media Tracking
Report
10/18/2007
Article Index
Archive
National Marine Manufacturers Association Coverage
NMMA recognizes
outstanding customer satisfaction at IBEX
[FishingWorld.com, 10/13/2007]
By Lindsey Savin Johnson
Sixty-four boat and engine manufacturers were recognized at the 2007 International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) in Miami Beach Friday morning for excellence in customer satisfaction by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), as part of the association's Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) program. This recognition honors recipients that were announced in July. "We're acknowledging CSI award recipients at IBEX to further communicate how important it is to meet customer needs if we're going to grow recreational boating," says NMMA president Thom Dammrich. "The CSI award recipients represent some of the 'best of the best' our industry has to offer."…
Please see the Article Index for
more coverage of the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition &
Conference.
The great outdoors is
big business
[The Record-Journal (CT) (Online),
10/14/2007]
By Mike Roberts
Did you know that the sport fishing
industry supports more than 1 million jobs as compared to the U.S.
Postal Service supporting 803,000 jobs? These figures came to me in a
bunch of press releases related to a recent survey by the Congressional
Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF)…Even boats come into this economic outdoor
picture. "Boating plays a larger role in hunting and fishing than people
realize, especially in terms of money spent on participation," noted
Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers
Association. "Figures from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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."...
Bill would protect
boat designs from copycats
[Green Bay Press-Gazette (Online),
10/09/2007]
By Nathan Phelps
A measure working its way through Washington may afford Wisconsin and Green Bay-area boat builders more protection for their boat designs from copycats with the Senate Judiciary Committee's approval of an intellectual property protection late last week. The Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments Act would make it tougher for design pirates to avoid legal challenges if they copy a manufacturer's hull design but make slight changes to the design of the deck. Current law includes the deck in the definition of a boat's hull…The National Marine Manufacturers Association, a boat-makers' trade group, said congressional action is needed because a court ruling weakened the 1998 law that was supposed to protect manufacturers against "hull splashing." "We're hoping this (committee) action will give the bill traction," said association spokesman Duncan Neasham. Wisconsin is home to 17 boat manufacturers who employ about 3,000 workers, Neasham said.
This article was also published
in the Oshkosh (WI) Northwestern (Online).
Speed limits won't
solve problems on water
[Portsmouth Herald (NH) (Online),
10/07/2007]
By Wayne Hooper
...[A speed limit for boaters] would stop all national bass tournaments from coming to
New Hampshire and Maine and all the millions of dollars the bass
fishermen would spend here…"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."…
California Boating
Guide-News
[The Log (CA) (Online), 10/04/2007]
U.S. senators have joined colleagues
in the House of Representatives in the fight to protect recreational
boaters from potentially costly new commercial ballast water permit
regulations…The National Marine Manufacturers Association said in a
release that unlike commercial ship ballast water taken on board from
foreign ports and oceans, these water-based functions do not introduce
harmful aquatic invasive species into U.S. waterways. The permitting
issue stems from a September 2006 U.S. District Court ruling intended to
hold the EPA responsible for regulating ballast water discharges from
oceangoing vessels, the NMMA said..."Without congressional approval of the Recreational Boating
Act, the court's existing decision means that everyday boaters will have
to apply for the same expensive permits as oceangoing commercial
vessels," said Thom Dammrich, president of the NMMA. "The ballast
water issue facing us is a serious threat to the boating community and
the future of the boating industry," he said. The NMMA said that
it is strongly backing passage of the Recreational Boating Act of 2007
and is encouraging the public to take action before the court-mandated
permitting deadline goes into effect next year. "We now have the
enormous task ahead of passing a legislative fix before time runs out,"
Dammrich said...
Breaking Barriers
[Boating Life, 10/01/2007]
By Chris Woodward
…During the next 12 hours more than
one fellow angler on these coastal waters would notice this new
center-console/wakeboard/cruising creature. They'd stare. They'd take
pictures. Like me, they'd do anything to satiate their curiosity about
this "crossover" CSX 220…"We've seen a lot of boat manufacturers going
toward more crossover," says Robert Newsome, manager of engineering
standards for the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
"We've noticed that fishing boats are starting to have more amenities.
We're seeing open bows on much larger boats, pontoons with much more
power for skiing. Consumers want to spend more time on the water, and
this has given them the ability to do that."
Boating industry tool to measure economic impact
of marinas
[Marine Fabricator, 10/01/2007]
Several organizations within the
U.S. recreational boating industry unveiled the Online Boating Economic
Impact Tool, the nation's only web-based means for estimating the
economic impact of marinas across the country. The tool is an
interactive system designed to understand boater spending and provide
estimates of the overall economic impact existing and planned marinas
can have on a local, regional and national level. It can also be used to
estimate the impact of the potential loss of marinas. The Recreational
Marine Research Center (RMRC) developed and maintains the tool on behalf
of the Association of Marina Industries (AMI), Great Lakes Commission (GLC),
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the
United States Coast Guard (USCG). It can be accessed at no charge at
www.marinaeconomics.com..."The most significant application of this new
tool is its ability to showcase the vital role marinas, and the boaters
they service, play in the economic prosperity of communities which
surround them," said Thorn Dammrich, NMMA president. "More than
73 million people went boating in 2006; in order for more people to
enjoy the benefits of recreational boating, adequate access and support
facilities must be available."
Report: One of every three Americans went boating
[Sport Fishing, 10/01/2007]
About 73 million Americans –
one-third of all adults – in the United States participated in boating
in 2006; that's an increase of 1.3 million from 2005, according to the
report, 2006 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, released in May
by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).
Also in 2006, actual boat usage increased; boat registrations surpassed
13 million for the first time since 2001; and the industry grew to an
all-time high of $39-5 billion in U.S. sales and services. The
traditional powerboat segment decreased slightly though total boat-unit
and dollar sales rose, in part buoyed by sales of kayaks and canoes
(increasingly popular among saltwater fishermen). "These increases
clearly demonstrate boating is well within reach for average Americans,"
says NMMA President Thorn Dammrich…
Discover Boating Coverage
See Door
County from the water
[Green Bay Press-Gazette (Online),
10/13/2007]
By Thomas Rozwadowski
With the leaves turning colors, Door
County is the place to be for foliage. So says Discover Boating,
a national boating public awareness campaign, which named the popular
tourist area one of the top locations in the country to view fall
foliage from the water. Of Door County, Discover writes: "The
autumn months are ideal to drop anchor to discover quaint small towns
and delicious local treats, including cheese, apples, cherries, maple
syrup and the classic Wisconsin fish boil."…
Sailing's beauty: Boom
with a view
[Chicago Sun-Times (Online),
10/07/2007]
By Dale Bowman
'There's no reason to feel nervous
when we start tipping,' Capt. Steve Tadd said. Yes, sharp-eyed readers,
he said when, not if, we start tipping. As an opening line to a sailing
excursion off Chicago, it was an interesting choice for a breezy Monday
morning in September…'This is what sailors love,' said Tadd, a spokesman
for Discover Boating. Dana Fennewald, PR manager for the
Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association, put the
trip together. Kelly Kaylor, also with Discover Boating, came
along. Their jobs are to push the boating life. I was happy to be
pushed…
Good Deals Await You
At The Show
[The Capital (MD) (Online), 10/05/2007]
…The number of recreational boats in
use grew to an estimated 18 million participants this past year,
according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. With
many Americans discovering why life is better on a boat, this year's
boat show season may be one of the busiest…"Boat shows offer one-stop
shopping for first time and experienced boat buyers and there are a few
key points to keep in mind when purchasing a boat," said Carl Blackwell,
spokesperson for Discover Boating. "Boating is more accessible
and affordable than some may think, especially when you consider there
are brand new boat, motor and trailer packages that can be financed
starting around $250 a month." With boats for every lifestyle and budget
on the market, first-time buyers should do their homework prior to
hitting the show floor. Discover Boating, a public awareness
program on behalf of the recreational boating industry, offers the
following advice for those considering getting started in boating…
Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show Coverage
Outdoor
Notes
[Chicago Sun-Times (Online),
10/07/2007]
By Dale Bowman
…'Bling My Boat' is a promotion for
'local boats in need of an update' by the National Marine
Manufacturers Association for the 78th Chicago Boat, RV &
Outdoors Show. Bottom's Up Boat Repair in McHenry will work with the
show team to gussy up the winning boat. To enter, go to
www.ChicagoBoatShow.com. Deadline is Oct. 15…
Boat Show Coverage
City Boat Shows Hailed As
Success
[The Capital (MD) (Online), 10/15/2007]
By Katie Arcieri
The famed Annapolis Boat Shows
once again pumped millions into the local economy this month, as
attendees turned out in force and dealers scooped up sales despite a
more vulnerable economy. And boat shows owner Ed Hartman said the
unseasonably warm and rain-free weather, coupled with a stronger
advertising push and advance online ticket sales, pushed attendance
higher this year…The strong activity flies in the face of lower boat
sales nationwide. National Marine Manufacturers Association
President Thom Dammrich said fall boat shows around the country have
seen strong demand. "Annapolis was even more positive than the other
shows," he said. "The reports I've been getting from boat builders was
that it was a big crowd, sales were very strong."…
Smooth Sailing For
Large Models
[The Capital (MD) (Online), 10/04/2007]
By Andrew Childers
While most of the boating industry
is fighting a headwind, sailboat dealers have their spinnakers out,
expecting to see a flurry of sales at this week's 38th annual United
States Sailboat Show. Boat sales have been on a slide this year,
victims of the collapsing housing market and wobbly economy, said
National Marine Manufacturers Association President Thom Dammrich.
New boat sales are down 10 percent this year from an average of 300,000
in years past…But sellers are packing a slew of incentives, including
fractional ownership, to attract new buyers. Beneteau, Sunsail and a
host of others at the show will be hawking plans that allow several
people to jointly purchase and share a boat. "I think fractional
ownership is here to stay," Mr. Dammrich said. "It's a very small part
of the industry, but it's growing. It's a great way to get people into
boating."…
All-New 2008 Baltimore
Boat Show Adds SailFest
[Spin Sheet (MD), 10/01/2007]
Bring your sailing club and the
whole family to the 2008 Baltimore Boat Show. There will be
something for everybody at the Baltimore Convention Center January
23-27. The five-day, indoor Boat Show will swell to 300,000 square feel
of exhibits, seminars, and interactive sailing and fishing activities
for adults and kids alike, including the 50,000-square-foot SailFest
from Sail America…Produced by the National Marine Manufacturers
Association, the Baltimore Boat Show will make waves January
23 (VIP night) from 6 to 9 p.m., January 24-25 from 1 a.m. to 9 p.m.,
January 26 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and January 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m…
Boat lifts
manufacturer and Innovation Award winner hopes to 'change the industry'
[Marina Dock Age, 10/01/2007]
By Adolfo Mendez
…Way Marine Design founders Robert
and Chris Way invented the No Profile Boat Lift, which has been
available on the market since 2003. Four years later, at this year's
Miami International Boat Show, Way Marine Design was one of seven
marine manufacturers honored for innovative achievement by the
Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)
and Boating Writers International (BWI), located in Wilmette, Ill…
Gonna need a bigger
boat?
[Hour, 09/22/2007]
By Noelle Frampton
Perfect weather is blessing the 32nd
annual Norwalk International In-Water Boat Show, and show
organizers expect 27,000 people to walk through the entrance to Norwalk
Cove Marina before it's over. Show manager Jon Pritko said that's about
par for the course for the National Marine Manufacturers Association
show. "We probably are the largest (boat show in the Northeast)," he
said. "This gets pretty crowded and the docks get really crowded.
Everybody likes to see the big boats in the water and dream - or
purchase."
Yachts arrive for
Stamford boat show
[Greenwich Times, 09/18/2007]
By James Lomuscio
…The Tiara will be one of 750 yachts and boats of all sizes and prices to be showcased in the 32nd annual Norwalk International In-Water Boat Show to be" held Thursday through Sunday. Jonathan Pritko, show manager, said 27,000 attendees are expected…Run by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the show is not a trade show but consumer event designed to sell boats, Pritko said…
This article was also published in
the Advocate (CT).