Fostering B2B editorial excellence

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

AD MATERIALS & QUESTIONS ads @ epgacceleration . com

As the recreational boating industry gears up for another American Boating Congress in Washington D . C ., I ’ m reminded of my early days entering this industry .

I was not born into this industry , like so many of my colleagues . I didn ’ t necessarily grow up as a boater , aside from the occasional fishing trip with my dad as a kid . Yet , upon joining the ranks , I was instantly hooked by this industry . Why ? Well , boating is fun , of course , but the thing that really hooked me was and continues to be this industry ’ s passion .

The recreational boating industry is a big , small industry . The U . S . recreational boating industry generates roughly $ 230 billion in annual economic impact , supports more than 36,000 business and 812,000 jobs , according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association ( NMMA ). Yet , when you walk any boat show or attend any industry event , it ’ s like a class reunion . Laughter and hugs all around as friends and colleagues catch up .

Across the industry , there is a camaraderie likely not found to the same degree in similar industries . And while American Boating Congress is really a culmination of our industry ’ s united front , we must continue to band together year-round .

Whether it ’ s advocacy for our industry at the local , state and federal levels , pushing technology further through innovation and partnerships , or something else entirely , our industry ’ s ability to unite and work together continue to ensure that boating is here to stay . And with increasing challenges ahead , from economic stability to competition for customers ’ free time , it will be more important , maybe more than ever before , that the recreational boating industry remains united .

Part of the industry ’ s ability to unite comes in the form of celebrating each other and hard work across every segment . This issue of Boating Industry does just that in celebrating invention and innovation with the annual Top Products Awards . From new boat models to new services and everything in between , the recreational boating industry is ripe with continuous innovation to enhance experiences in boating across the board and this year ’ s Top Products provide a shining example of that .

Across the industry , from competitors to colleagues , as we head into another summer of helping people make memories on the water , let ’ s remember to stand united to continue growing the spotlight on boating and pushing ourselves further well into the future .

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 .

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 $ 112 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 . © 2024 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 may 2024 www . boatingindustry . com