The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) announced the panel of judges set to evaluate product entries for the 2024 Miami Innovation Awards at the Miami Boat Show being held Feb. 14-18, 2024. The awards recognize manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market.

The Innovation Awards judges’ committee is comprised of eight BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine products and equipment. Judges for the 2024 Miami Innovation Awards are:

• Ben Stein (Chair) is an editor of Panbo.com covering marine technology. He also serves as electronics editor for Power & Motoryacht and PassageMaker magazines and is a regular contributor to Soundings.
• Tim Murphy (Co-chair) develops curriculum for the American Boat & Yacht Council. A contributing editor to BoatUS magazine, and a Cruising World editor-at-large, he has worked as a marine journalist for more than 30 years.
• Kelsey Bonham is an editor and writer for BoatU.S. Magazine, covering everything from the environment to tech news, new media to personality profiles.
• Kevin Falvey is editorial director of Firecrown Media’s Boating and Watersports group, overseeing editorial operations for premier brands Boating, Wakeboarding and numerous brand extensions.
• Alan Jones, a marine journalist for 27 years, he has tested more than 1,000 boats and has been the on-camera talent in more than 600 video walkthroughs as a journalist.
• Adam Quandt, editor-in-chief of Boating Industry, tackles everything from testing and reviewing new products, to tracking industry trends and serving on the board for numerous industry-focused award programs.
• Gary Reich has 30 years of experience in the marine industry. He started his career as a product expert at Fawcett Boat Supplies in Annapolis, Md., and transitioned to marine publishing in 2002 when he was hired as an editor at Waterway Guide Publications.
• Tony Esposito is a 30-year marine industry veteran who has held management positions with Mercury Marine, Mercury Racing and Custom Marine, Inc., and has provided marketing communications consulting for a variety of boating clients.

The 2024 Miami Innovation Awards’ entrants will be judged across 22 product categories. All entrants and award winners will be on display throughout the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show.