As industry leaders across all segments of the marine industry gathered , the event kicked off with an evening fireside chat between Boating Industry editor-in-chief Adam Quandt and the 2023 Mover & Shaker of the Year , Cecil Cohn , president of Freedom Boat Club .

Offering the unique opportunity for leaders from the marine industry to network with members of the powersports and outdoor power equipment industries , attendees gathered both mornings for joint keynote sessions , with topics ranging from the state of the U . S . economy to embracing emotional intelligence to better your leadership .

In his opening keynote , U . S . Chamber of Commerce chief economist Curtis Dubay walked attendees through current trends in the U . S . and global economies , where it ’ s going in 2024 and where it ’ s likely headed for 2025 . In his presentation , Dubay talked inflation , the Fed , interest rates and what it all means for consumer spending in the outdoor recreation industry .

This year ’ s ELEVATE SUMMIT also featured a power-packed panel presentation from NMMA president Frank Hugelmeyer , Suzuki Marine executive VP Gus Blakely , Suntex Marinas co-founder and CEO Bryan

Darlene Briggs Award winner Nikki Storey presents during the Women Making Waves panel .

Industry leaders share insights during the State of the Industry panel .

Redmond , and Regal & Nautique of Orlando – the 2022 and 2023 Dealer of the Year – owner and GM Jeff Husby . The industry leaders spoke about a wide range of topics , including what they see as the biggest challenges facing their respective segments of the recreational boating industry .

The afternoon of the first full day featured a variety of high-impact content sessions from a legislative update from NMMA senior government affairs leader Callie Hoyt , to a deep dive session into market data hosted by some of the leading data sources across the marine industry .

All of the attendees for the three concurrent conferences came together again to kick off the final day , with a keynote address from Stephen Barth , who dove into strategies for mastering emotionally intelligent leadership .

The rest of the day transitioned back to marine-industry specific sessions applicable to leaders from every segment of the industry .

Brunswick Corporation ’ s Jennifer Koenig , Hyper fuels ’ Jess Hewitt and NMMA ’ s Jeff Wasil lead a panel discussion on sustainability in the recreational boating space and looking at solutions beyond electric power and propulsion .

The final day of the 2023 ELEVATE SUMMIT also featured the highlyanticipated Women Making Waves session , moderated by Darlene Briggs Award recipient Wanda Kenton Smith and Boating Industry ’ s own Leslie Palmer . During the session , Volvo Penta ’ s Christine Carlson McKone , FB Marine Group ’ s Kim Sweers , the Great Lakes Boat Building School ’ s Nikki Storey , and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation ’ s Rachel Auslander dove into and shared their own strategies for success as outstanding leaders in the marine industry .

10 january 2024 www . boatingindustry . com