// INDUSTRY NEWS
KICKER Marine Audio joins ELEVATE 2023 as Leadership Alliance Sponsor
Boating Industry is proud to announce KICKER Marine Audio as an ELEVATE SUMMIT 2023 Leadership Alliance Sponsor and the exclusive Top 100 Awards Gala Entertainment and After Party Sponsor .
Boating Industry ELEVATE SUM- MIT is the industry ’ s most important event of the year , bringing together marine thought leaders and professionals from across the country . It will take place Nov . 5-7 at the Westin Galleria in Dallas , Texas .
“ We are thrilled to have KICKER Marine Audio as a Leadership Alliance Sponsor for EL- EVATE SUMMIT 2023 ,” said Adam Quandt , editor-in-chief of Boating Industry and Top 100 Program Director . “ Their commitment to delivering exceptional audio experiences and their extensive contributions to the marine industry make them an ideal partner for this event .”
With 50 years as a respected name in the industry , KICKER Marine Audio has solidified its position as a trusted provider of premium audio solutions for boating enthusiasts worldwide . They have consistently demonstrated excellence in engineering and producing high-performance audio systems specifically designed for the demanding marine environment .
“ KICKER is very pleased to once again return as a Leadership Alliance , ELEVATE SUMMIT and Top 100 sponsor this year ,” said KICKER National Brand Manager Jeremy Bale . “ This is a tremendous opportunity for our organization to support and recognize the industry ’ s top performers including the Top 100 dealers , emerging young leaders and women who are making an impact . The ELEVATE SUMMIT is an outstanding venue for executive development featuring high quality educational sessions you can apply to your business and take to the bank .”
Suzuki Marine opens new Technical Center
Suzuki Marine USA , Inc . announced the completion of its Suzuki Marine Technical Center located
at 1 Suzuki Way in Panama City , Fla . The 20-acre waterfront property includes a 9,037-sq . ft . main building with office space , conference rooms , technical / service bays , inside boat storage and other important equipment . Other amenities of the property include additional buildings , a private launch ramp with docks , and a 300-foot protective seawall .
A Grand Opening event held at the site brought Suzuki staff from its Tampa , Fla . corporate headquarters , select dealers and boatbuilding partners , local dignitaries , Suzuki Motor Corporation VIPs and members of the boating press . Among those in attendance were Shuichi Mishima , executive general manager of Marine Operations for Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan ; State of Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis ; and City of Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki .
“ I want to thank Mayor Brudnicki , Bay Economic Development Alliance Chairman Ben Lee , Bay County Commissioner Tommy Hamm , and the many forward-thinking leaders who worked closely with us to bring this project to fruition ,” said George “ Gus ” Blakely , executive vice president of Sales & Service , Suzuki Marine . “ Thanks to hard work and cooperation between Suzuki Marine and government agencies , Panama City will henceforth be known as a leading source of marine industry innovation and an epicenter of new outboard motor development . We recognized early on that this was the ideal location for us to achieve our goals – and while it wasn ’ t easy – the final result has proved us right . We are thrilled to be here , excited about the future and committed to being the type of corporate citizen that Panama City and the entire state of Florida can be proud of .”
“ Now that our Technical Center is complete and we have added several important staff members and endurance drivers , we can begin to fulfill our ultimate goal to the boating industry , Suzuki dealers and the boating public ,” he said .
“ We will be working not only with boat builders and our 1,200 dealers across America , but also with the Suzuki factory to create and refine the outboards of the future . Although we ’ re based in Florida – the boating capitol of the U . S . – we are also a Suzuki Technical Center for the world ,” Blakely added .
ABYC announces 2024 Standards Week
The American Boat & Yacht Council ( ABYC ) has announced the dates for its annual Standards Week , Jan . 7-11 , 2024 , in Annapolis , Md .
Standards Week is a gathering for the marine industry and Project Technical Committees ( PTCs ), with daily meetings scheduled to discuss updates to Supplement 64 of the Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft , set
8 june 2023 www . boatingindustry . com