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

TRADE MANAGING EDITOR Krystina Skibo | kskibo @ epgacceleration . com

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Lindsay Zigan | lzigan @ epgacceleration . com

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

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For quite some time now , the recreational boating industry has known that the unprecedented business the pandemic brought us could not last forever .

Going into this year ’ s winter boat show season , it seemed as though many industry members were holding their collective breath to see where the consumer mindset is , as the nation navigates inflation , a coming election and many other shifting challenges .

However to some surprise , boat shows across the country – and beyond – offered a more positive result than anticipated . Crowds weren ’ t only still flocking to shows , many of which had increased or at least on-par attendance over the previous years , but many customers were out to buy . Although winter boat shows offered a possible glimpse of a slightly brighter than anticipated year ahead , numbers don ’ t lie and challenges still lay ahead for recreational boating .

“ Many outdoor recreation sectors saw exponential growth and demand during and throughout the pandemic ,” NMMA president Frank Hugelmeyer said during his state of the industry address in Miami . “ And with any unexpected boom , an eventual normalization is due and that ’ s what the marine industry experienced this year .”

NMMA reports that overall unit sales were down about 2 % in 2023 . In his address , Hugelmeyer made special note to the personal watercraft ( PWC ) market , the only segment to show continued growth – up about 15 % -- throughout 2023 .

“ Personal watercraft ’ s entry-level pricing , ease of storage and transportation continued out momentum ,” Huglemeyer said . “ And it provided an important gateway to people hungering for the boating lifestyle .”

While PWC are not a new idea by any means , their draw from first-time boaters is something to take note of and should inspire new ideas across the other segments of the recreational boating industry .

As we enter a new period of challenges and normalization , it will take new ideas for boating to maintain its relevance with consumers – both first-time buyers and lifelong boaters .

In this issue of Boating Industry , we ’ re very excited to shine a spotlight on the 2024 40 Under 40 , a class of young professionals and leaders consistently bringing new ideas to the boating landscape .

This year ’ s 40 Under 40 award winners are those who are helping to bring boating to the next level , from encouraging new designs and features on the boats themselves , to better than ever customer service experiences and everything in between .

These young professionals are not only ensuring that boating remains in the spotlight through the short-term challenging times ahead , but they ’ re providing examples that boating will be a stronghold in outdoor recreation for the long haul .

From all of us at Boating Industry , congratulations to all of this year ’ s 40 Under 40 award winners !

CEO : Marion Minor 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 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 march 2024 www . boatingindustry . com