The Marine Industries Association of Southwest Florida & Tampa Bay announced it will launch a new series of videos in its successful “Know Before You Go” campaign. It’s another excellent example of the positive things local and state marine trade associations do for member dealers.

“With the rapidly growing number of boats on Florida waterways, boating safety and education is more critical than ever,” says MIASWF executive director John Good. “Our association is committed to emphasizing the message that our members’ customers and all boaters need to be safe and prepared before heading out on the water.”

The “Know Before You Go” campaign was introduced in 2021 with a colorful, easy-to-understand guide containing the basics of safe boating. The guide is distributed through the association’s members, as well as at all three MIASWF-produced boat shows, where experts provide hands-on instruction, answer questions and give valuable local boating information.

In a similar initiative, in 2023, as boaters sought to return to the water after Hurricane Ian, MIASF took action again. With many questions about the condition of local waters, the association launched a “Welcome Back to the Water” series of five videos featuring members and experts with addressing concerns and assuring boaters that local essential navigational markers were back in place and nearly all debris had been removed. The videos were watched by thousands.

The 2024 edition of “Know Before You Go” is called Boating Essentials and is in production now. The videos will again feature MIASWF members with messages designed to give boaters basic boating information. The first video features Nick Eng, sales manager at Walkers Marine Group, along with his family on their boat. They’ll demonstrate the proper routine and checklist before heading out for a day of family fun.

“I grew up boating on these waters, and I can’t begin to count the number of customers, especially new ones, out there every day now,” Eng says. “So I’m excited to share my experience and provide some helpful tips before they cast off.”

This first video in this series will be followed by four more slated to be produced through the summer and fall. The videos will be released through goboatingflorida.com, as well as being featured on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and similar social media outlets.

Each video will also be made available at no cost to MIASWF member businesses, as well as marine trade associations and other outlets. Contact MIASWF’s John Good at john@swfmia.com for more information.

MIASWF is a great example of the impact marine trade associations are making every day. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it: From promoting retail boat sales to fending off negative legislation and regulation, MTA’s do for their member dealers that which no dealer can hope to accomplish alone.

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