Fostering B2B editorial excellence

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & TOP 100 DIRECTOR Adam Quandt | aquandt @ epgacceleration . com

TRADE MANAGING EDITOR Krystina Skibo | kskibo @ epgacceleration . com

ART DIRECTOR Lindsay Zigan | lzigan @ epgacceleration . com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Roberto Almenar | ralmenar @ epgacceleration . com | 763.383.4494

Here we are at the close of 2024 and busting into 2025 . The last year was certainly one of headwinds and while industry insiders predict we ’ re not quite out of it yet , there is a renewed sense of optimism felt across the recreational marine industry as we begin 2025 .

Simply carrying that optimism won ’ t bring success to fruition however . It ’ s going to take hard work from entire teams , top to bottom . And with that , I want to share my space here at the helm with an open letter from the CEO of EPG Brand Acceleration , the parent company of Boating Industry : Dear Power Trade Friends and Colleagues , Your success in 2025 will depend – at least in part – on the decisions you make . Inventory decisions , pricing decisions , margin decisions , hiring and managing decisions , and on and on .

As a fellow business owner , I rely on my gut instinct , intuition , and experience to make these critical decisions . This next year it will not be enough . We need data , expert insights and best demonstrated practices from others in our markets to navigate what ’ s ahead with the economy , consumer confidence , interest rates , how to make the best use of AI , logistics and the like .

I wear lots of hats , but I certainly don ’ t pretend to be an economist , or a futurist . Fortunately at Boating Industry Elevate Summit , we will hear from both .

On Day 1 , we ’ ll wake up to opening keynote and international bestselling author Jay Samit . He is a dynamic entrepreneur who is widely recognized as one of the world ’ s leading experts on disruption , innovation , e-commerce and AI .

Our Day 2 keynote is Dr . Eisenberg , the Chief Economist for GraphsandLaughs , a Miamibased economic consulting firm , who will entertainingly and energetically explain the economic impact of the new administration on government regulation , tariffs , inflation , and other current economic issues facing our industry .

Invest in your business by attending Elevate Summit on January 20-22 , in beautiful downtown Charlotte , and join the entire industry as we collaboratively tackle what ’ s ahead .

Please join me in Charlotte won ’ t you , and best wishes for a New Year full of opportunities born of powering through challenges TOGETHER . -Marion Minor , Owner / CEO , EPG Brand Acceleration , EPG Specialty Information While I echo the sentiments in the letter of what attendance at this year ’ s Elevate Summit and truly hope you join us in Charlotte , the lessons and ideas explored during the event are just the beginning .

After relaxing and reflecting through the holidays , it ’ s time to hit the ground running and put in the work to show people just what a life on the water can do for them .

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from myself and all of us at Boating Industry . Here ’ s to a prosperous 2025 !

CEO : Marion Minor

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BOATING INDUSTRY ( ISSN # 1543-4400 ) is published 8 times per year : February , March , May , June , August , October , November , and December – by EPG Brand Acceleration , 7760 France Avenue South , Suite 810 , Bloomington , MN 55435 . Periodicals postage paid at St . Paul , MN and additional mailing offices .

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4 december 2024 / january 2025 www . boatingindustry . com