2023 National Boating Safety Awards submissions now open

June 6, 2023  |  Industry News, News

The Sea Tow Foundation’s Boating Safety Advisory Council announced the call for entries for the 2023 National Boating Safety Awards. There is no cost to enter, and applications take less than 10 minutes to complete. The Awards recognize efforts to promote boating safety within the for-profit secto…
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Recreational boating’s economic impact climbs to $230 billion

June 1, 2023  |  Industry News, News

New data released by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) found that the annual national economic impact of recreational boating increased 36% from $170B in 2018 to $230B in 2023. The industry’s contributions to the U.S. workforce grew as well with a 14% increase in jobs supported,…
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Georgia legislation promotes boater safety and access for towed watersports

May 31, 2023  |  Industry News, News

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed towed watersports legislation that included strengthening safety and access opportunities for wakesurfing and wakeboarding. The new law followed bordering states, South Carolina and Tennessee, in proactively keeping boaters and towed water sports enthusiasts safe o…
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IBEX to be held in refreshed Tampa Convention Center

May 30, 2023  |  Events, Industry News, News, Other Events

Construction on the Tampa Convention Center (TCC) will be completed in time for the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) 2023, to be held October 3 – 5, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. The renovation project is the largest ever for the TCC and will result in an expanded third fl…
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IMEA expands scholarship program

May 25, 2023  |  Industry News, News

The International Marine Electronics Alliance (IMEA), a 501 (c)(3) supporting organization of the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA), is expanding its scholarship program to encourage and support students interested in a career in marine electronics. The goal is to alleviate the marine e…
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ATA Talking Textiles podcast features marine industry veterans

May 24, 2023  |  Events, IFAI Events, IFAI news, News

The newest Talking Textiles podcast from the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) features marine industry veterans discussing the topic “Balancing the Marine Canvas Business and Life.” The episode is hosted by Kyle Van Damme, co-owner of Marine Tops Unlimited Inc. in Omro, Wis. Van Damme intervi…
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ABYC 2024 Standards Week date announced

May 23, 2023  |  Industry News, News

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) annual Standards Week will be Jan. 7-11, 2024, in Annapolis, Md. ABYC Standards Week is a marine industry gathering with daily Project Technical Committees (PTCs) meetings scheduled to discuss updates to Supplement 64 of the Standards and Technical Inform…
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Sea Tow Foundation collaborates with Onyx/Absolute Outdoor

May 18, 2023  |  Industry News, News

The Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program is the largest of its kind in the world, operating more than 1,300 stands throughout the country at boat ramps, marinas, parks and other locations where boaters have easy access to borrow the life jackets. The Foundation’s primary objective is …
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