A few weeks before I started writing this column, I was in Carrara, Italy, for the annual Seatec & Compotec Marine conference, which gathers trade manufacturers from across the world in a setting about the same size as you’d encounter at a local home show in the United States. I was excited to spend an extra couple of days touring and eating my way around Florence, but I was nervous about how I’d get along with the contingent of trade representatives I’d be traveling with from Brazil, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Taiwan, South Korea, Poland, Ecuador and beyond.
Of course, it was foolish to be anxious. Just like most folks I’ve encountered in the marine trade for nearly 35 years, we all got along famously, having the common bond of working in and around boats and the industry. Before long, we were all laughing around glasses of Chianti and learning about one another’s businesses, as well as our struggles and triumphs in the global marine trade.
Being the only journalist made me quite the curiosity in the 20-person group. Everyone else was a manufacturer or manufacturer’s representative. I must admit, it was nice to have so many people interested not only in Soundings Trade Only, but also in my career going back to my ship store days. I was equally as interested in all of them, and I have a handful of new friends I’ve taken to communicating with on social media. Birds of a feather, so they say.
The networking and connections got me to thinking about the American Boating Congress and advocacy in the boating industry, one of the themes of this issue. This year will mark my third year attending the event, which runs May 8-10 in Washington, D.C. It’s another example of the trade joining together in one place to learn what the important issues are, and how to deal with them as a strong, unified group.
Many of the issues ABC attendees will discuss face-to-face with members of Congress are covered in Kim Kavin’s detailed reporting on Page 38. Among them are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s proposed speed restrictions that were drawn up to try to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales; legislation aimed at restricting waterway access for wake-sports boats; sustainable fuel initiatives; right-to-repair legislation; and tariff and tax policies.
Additionally, on Page 44, you’ll see that we tallied a dozen industry leaders to get their feelings about the value of ABC. If you’re on the fence about attending this year or next, I promise you that reading these quotes will offer valuable insight as to why your money is well-spent on heading to Washington with the industry. Past participants say it is vitally important to ensure that your voice is heard and that important legislation is passed — or stopped.
To round out the theme, I interviewed the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s senior vice president of government relations, Robyn Boerstling, who hit the ground running with a variety of advocacy projects when she was hired around four months ago. She comes from a leading manufacturing trade group and has many years of experience working with the representatives on Capitol Hill. I encourage you to check out the question-and-answer session with her on Page 10.
The other theme of this issue is integrated systems, which refers to the complex technology that enhances comfort and convenience aboard boats. It’s something that has exploded ever since digital switching was introduced at the Miami International Boat Show more than a decade ago. Senior editor Eric Colby spoke with boatbuilders and equipment manufacturers to see what’s happening in this space and where the tech is headed. You can read his story starting on Page 40.
Last, I was excited this month to read my colleague Pim Van Hemmen’s story on West System epoxy founders the Gougeon brothers in Soundings magazine. I liked it so much that I begged and pleaded with editor-in-chief Jeanne Craig to let us run the story in Soundings Trade Only. The tale of the brothers, who revolutionized certain corners of the boatbuilding trade, starts on Page 46.
If you’re planning to attend ABC, let’s flock together. The Soundings Trade Only editorial and sales teams will be on the ground in D.C. during the event. I look forward to seeing you there.
This article was originally published in the May 2024 issue.
