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 to prevent drowning by providing life jackets, [...]

The Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is presenting a management excellence webinar May 24, 2023, from 1–2 pm EDT. The webinar is free for ATA members and $39 for nonmembers. Webinar speaker Madeleine MacRae, founder of MM MacRae Coaching & Consulting and Homepro Toolbox, will discuss how nobody is born with management skills and even the [...]

Photo: Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC Glen Raven recently introduced an updated operating structure that creates even greater focus on each of the key fabric markets it serves. The company has combined its fabric brands, including Sunbrella®, GlenGuard®, Dickson®, Sur Last® and others, under a new Glen Raven Material Solutions Group. Within the group, the [...]

The 2023 American Boating Congress (ABC) included three days of policy conversations, panel discussions, marine industry updates, conversations with members of Congress and a day spent on Capitol Hill advocating on behalf of the recreational marine industry. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and its industry partners, sponsors and co-hosts welcomed more than 250 recreational [...]

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $20.8 million in grant awards to 27 small shipyards in 20 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funds will help shipyards modernize, increase productivity and expand local job opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.  Since 2008, MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program has awarded [...]

Registration is now open for Advanced Textiles Expo 2023 (formerly IFAI Expo.) This year's show takes place Nov. 1–3, 2023, with education from happening from Oct. 31–Nov. 3, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. This event brings together more than 4,000 decisions makers in the advanced textiles, specialty fabrics and shade and [...]

Submitters to the annual Tools, Tips and Tricks competition at the 2024 Marine Fabricators Conference, Jan. 25–27, 2024, at Tradewinds Resort, St. Pete Beach, Fla., will have the option of presenting their submissions live and answering audience questions. They can also choose to have their submissions presented by the emcee or via video. As always, [...]

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced that the 2024 Discover Boating® New England Boat Show®, in partnership with Progressive® Insurance, is moving from its traditional February President’s Day weekend timeframe to January 10–14 in 2024. The move is a result of trade events at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) that would impact [...]

Boating Industry magazine is now accepting nominations for its 2023 Women Making Waves industry recognition program. The nomination process will close on May 17. The 2023 winners will be featured in the June/July issue and will be honored at the Elevate Summit, Nov. 5-7, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. The Women Making Waves program honors women [...]

Former Industrial Fabrics Association International (now ATA) Chairman Kevin Yonce passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on April 29, 2023. Yonce was born January 24, 1970, in Urbana, Ill. He was a lifelong resident of Champaign-Urbana and a 1988 graduate of Urbana High School. Yonce is survived by his mother, Wanda, brother [...]