Minneapolis Innovation Awards announced for 2025
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) announced the winners of the 2025 Minneapolis Innovation Awards, recognizing groundbreaking new consumer marine products, during the Sneak Preview event on January 22 at the Discover Boating® Minneapolis Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive® Insurance.
The Minneapolis Innovation Awards honor manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products in the boating industry to market. This year’s program honored four Innovation Award winners across three categories— one in the aluminum and non-fiberglass fishing boats category, one in the pontoon category and two in the furnishings category.
“We’re honored to present the 2025 Minneapolis Innovation Awards to this year’s recipients, companies that are propelling our industry forward,” said Darren Envall, show manager. “We’re excited to showcase these innovations and the dozens of other new marine products at the sold out 2025 Discover Boating Minneapolis Boat Show, providing attendees a premier boating marketplace to see and shop the best in boating, and get ready for life on the water.”
The winners are:
- Aluminum and non-fiberglass fishing boat: Contour Package by Smoker Craft
- Pontoon boat: Vogue 25 RL by Princecraft
- Furnishings: Leggera Helm with Addressable Lighting by Barletta Boats and Retractable Keeper Rail by Bennington
Judges for the 2025 Minneapolis Innovation Awards were Brady Kay, executive editor of Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine; Bill Gius, owner of “Country Consulting,” a marine industry consulting firm, and contributing writer to Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine; and Charles Plueddeman, a self-employed writer and photographer based in Wisconsin.
