Total U.S. boat registrations declined 1.7 percent in 2014 to 11.8 million boats. Registrations in the top 10 states totaled 6.2 million and accounted for 52.2 percent of total boat registrations. The National Marine Manufacturers Association website has available data on 2014 U.S. boat registrations in the form of a summary report and raw data. [...]

Presented by the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA), a division of IFAI, the 2016 Marine Fabricators Conference will be held Jan. 14–16, 2016, at the Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key in Clearwater, Fla. The early bird registration deadline is Nov. 16. The conference will include educational seminars on topics from sewing machines and attachments [...]

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has acquired the rights to American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) four consumer shows: Chicagoland Fishing Travel & Outdoor Expo, the Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow, the World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, and the Saltwater Fishing Expo. With the acquisition, NMMA will bring on two full-time employees from the ASA to run [...]

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen announced the House Natural Resources Committee approved the addition of the Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act (H.R. 3310) to the bipartisan Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act. The Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act was introduced in part to address the National Park Service’s blatant disregard for public access [...]

The US Commerce Department release the 11th edition of “A Basic Guide to Exporting,” a tool for businesses seeking to navigate the avenues of trade. The guide contains information export companies need to feel confident about selling overseas. Many chapters end in success stories to prove exporting is a possibility for small and medium-size businesses. [...]

Eastern Metal Supply (EMS), a Lake Worth, Fla.-based national distributor of aluminum extrusions and sheet products, has purchased Tigress Trading Co. Inc. and Tigress Specialty Metals Products Manufacturing Inc. With facilities in the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., area, Tigress manufactures and distributes a diverse product line including rod holders, outriggers and accessories, kite fishing tackle, antenna [...]

The White House Administration announced that persons traveling to Cuba are now able to do so by boat whether it is for hire or for recreation. Prior to the revisions made by the administration, air travel was the only form of transportation to Cuba. Travels will still need to follow all guidelines and travel purposes, [...]

Racine Design, a marine canvas and upholstery shop in Jacksonville, Fla., is closing its doors and is liquidating excess inventory and a variety of tools. Everything must go by Oct. 31. Racine Design’s services include marine canvas, upholstery, wood working and fiberglass repair. Hardware includes tubing, fittings, fasteners and screws. No sewing machines are available. [...]

The Industrial Fabrics Association International's (IFAI) textile trade event, IFAI Expo 2015, took place Oct. 6-9, 2015, in Anaheim, Calif. The annual event is the largest display of specialty fabrics and technical textiles in the Americas. The show floor buzzed with excitement as more than 5,500 registrants and 376 exhibitors filled the space in the [...]

Dunn Arquitectura Ligera S.A. de C.V. won the Award of Excellence in the “Shade Sails” category of the 2015 International Achievement Awards for its shade installation at a private school in Mexico. All winners are featured on the IFAI website. Photo: Dunn Arquitectura Ligera S.A. de C.V. Winners of the 2015 International Achievement [...]