According to The National Small Business Association’s (NSBA) 2018 Small Business Taxation Survey, 63 percent of the 953 small businesses participating in the survey report spending more than $1,000 annually on the administration of federal taxes. The 2018 NSBA survey also shows that one in three small businesses spend 40 hours each year preparing federal [...]

In August 2017, the President formally instructed the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to determine whether to launch a 301 investigation of "laws, policies, practices, or actions of the Government of China that may be unreasonable or discriminatory and that may be harming American intellectual property rights, innovation, or technology development." After deciding [...]

The Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service, along with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), has released the 2018 Pleasure Boat International Resource Guide. Click here to download a complimentary copy. This free resource includes reports on 32 countries that give current and prospective exporters specific market insight and information.

Kathleen "Kathy" A. Johnson, 61, of Virginia Beach, Va., passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at sunset surrounded by her family. She leaves a legacy of love to everyone who knew her. Kathy is survived by Michael (“Mike”), her husband of 36 years, sons Daniel (and his wife Michaux), and Brian (and his wife [...]

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has named Steve Schiffman, the association’s vice president of media and sales, the new president and CEO of IFAI. He will replace Mary Hennessy, who is retiring June 1, 2018, after holding the position for the last six years. Schiffman had a long and successful career in publishing before [...]

Grow Boating is hosting a free webinar on April 26 with sales and marketing expert Marcus Sheridan about producing effective digital content. Done well, digital content can be an effective tool for increasing traffic, leads and sales revenue. Sheridan will explain what type of digital content a business should produce to move the sales needle [...]

Morbern, a North American designer and manufacturer of upholstery vinyl for the contract, health care, hospitality, automotive and marine markets, announced that S.M. Osgood Company will join the Morbern team as sales agents for the marine OEM market in the Midwest. “S.M. Osgood is known for their ability to drive sales and market growth,” said [...]

For the first time in more than a decade, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is represented on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC), with the appointment of Nicole Vasilaros, NMMA’s vice president of federal and legal affairs. Vasilaros’ term runs through December 31, 2019. The Council provides advice to the Coast Guard on [...]

The CCC Maker Initiative, administered by Sierra College (www.sierracollege.edu) in Rocklin, California, is offering internships and work-based learning experiences for students through 24 California Community College makerspaces, where students gain technical, entrepreneurial and work-ready skills sought by employers. California Community Colleges participating in the CCC Maker (cccmaker.com) initiative to build makerspace communities are preparing students [...]

U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, announced the disbursement of Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund grants to support recreational boating, fishing and wildlife restoration in Wisconsin. The grants total over $1.1 billion across the United States. Wisconsin received a check for $34,966,603 that will be used to support state fish and wildlife [...]