Fostering B2B editorial excellence

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

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jamie Stafford | jstafford @ epgacceleration . com

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Lindsay Zigan | lzigan @ epgacceleration . com

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Leslie Palmer | lpalmer @ epgacceleration . com | 763.383.4460

In 2016 , Millennials – people born 1981-1996 – became the largest generation in the labor force in the United States . As of 2017 , Pew Research Center reported that 56 million Millennials were working or looking for work . Projections from the U . S . Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts employment will increase by 8.3 million jobs through 2031 .

What does that mean for the recreational boating industry ? It means we need to be a united front and on our absolute A-game when it comes to workforce development . It means that we as an industry need to be building up the next generation of marine industry workforce and passing along the knowledge and skills that make our industry so incredible .

From dedicated trade schools like the Great Lakes Boat Building School to associations like the ABYC Foundation and so many people and organizations in between , there is already so much hard work being done to ensure that our industry holds a strong future . And if your business isn ’ t already involved in some sort of mentorship or apprenticeship program , I highly recommend you take a look at the vast number of resources these organizations offer to get you started .

Point blank , our industry is up against some very stiff competition from a lot of other industries when it comes to workforce . The automotive industry has been addressing workforce issues with a united front for quite some time now and it seems to be paying off for them . It ’ s time for our industry to band together and show young professionals what an amazing place the recreational boating industry is and all we have to offer .

This issue of Boating Industry is dedicated to the next generation . The Boating Industry team is honored to highlight the hard work of young professionals across the entire industry with the seventh annual Boating Industry 40 Under 40 Awards . As part of BI ’ s Top 100 Awards , the 40 Under 40 shines a spotlight on some of the brightest young professionals currently setting the pace for our industry . While we ask our award winners a variety of questions to respond to for their feature , I think some of the most important to note are how they came to the marine industry and why they think people should join the marine workforce .

We ’ re seeing more and more young professionals come from outside of the industry and find a completely different world and passion upon joining our ranks . And with them comes a brand-new set of perspectives and ideas , which continuously help bring our industry forward into the future .

The future of boating is here now . We as an industry must band together to ensure that future is prepared for the success and promise that it ’ s already showing .

And before I sign off , I ’ d just like to offer my personal congratulations to all of this year ’ s 40 Under 40 honorees ! Through their growth and leadership across the industry , boating continues to excel as a recreational opportunity to so many .

CEO : Marion Minor

AD MATERIALS & QUESTIONS ads @ epgacceleration . com

SR . VICE PRESIDENT / MARKET DEVELOPMENT : Joanne Juda-Prainito OPERATIONS DIRECTOR : Bernadette Wohlman

BOATING INDUSTRY ( ISSN # 1543-4400 ) is published 8 times per year : February , March , May , June , August , October , November , and December – by EPG Media & Specialty Information , 10405 6th Ave . N ., Minneapolis , MN 55441 . Periodicals postage paid at St . Paul , MN and additional mailing offices .

POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Boating Industry , P . O . Box 96 , Port Jervis , NY 12771-0096 .

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION : Free digital to qualified members of the boating industry . Annual subscription rate is $ 99 per year for U . S . All paid subscriptions must be paid in advance and in U . S . funds only .

CUSTOMER SERVICE : Visit www . BoatingIndustry . com , call 763-383-4492 , email customerservice @ epgacceleration . com or write to Boating Industry , P . O . Box 96 , Port Jervis , NY 12771-0096 .

EDITORIAL : All manuscripts , materials , photographs and artwork submitted are at mailer ’ s risk and must include self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for return . No responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited materials . Boating Industry is a registered trademark of EPG Media & Specialty Information . © 2023 by EPG Media & Specialty Information . All rights reserved . Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited unless expressly authorized by publisher .

For more information on e-prints or reprints from Boating Industry , visit epgacceleration . com / marketing-services and contact us today or email us at info @ epgacceleration . com .

Printed in U . S . A .

MEMBER OF :

BRAND ACCELERATION

A | S | B | P | E

American Society of Business Publication Editors

2017 Regional

PRINT

Award Winner

Revenue of $ 3 million or under

4 march 2023 www . boatingindustry . com