Whether on a national stage, or at state and local levels, the industry’s marine trade associations are always on the move orchestrating valuable events and delivering member benefits. Here are some random examples that merit recognition.

The Ohio Marine Trades Association recently chalked up a success working with members of its legislature that will double the state’s Boater Safety Education Grant program maximums awards.

Specifically, the legislation will double such grants from $30,000 to $60,000. In addition, the state will officially designate April as “Powerboat Safety Month” with a particular focus on carbon monoxide issues.

Michelle Burke, OMTA president, told lawmakers at hearings: “We have seen many new Ohioans become boating enthusiasts. During the pandemic, many turned to outdoor recreation and boating was a great choice for many families. It is critically important that these new boaters are safe on the water and increasing these grants are a key piece of that effort.”

In testimony, OMTA highlighted that these grants are funded solely through the Ohio Waterway Safety Fund, a model user-pay/user-benefit program paid for “by boaters for boaters.” It’s totally funded through boat registrations fees, a portion of the state’s off-highway-use gas tax revenues, and some federal grants. No Ohio general fund revenues are ever involved, and it’s considered a national model program.

The Safety Education Grants can be used to fund boater safety courses and skills development for non-traditional boating groups, among similar purposes. Examples of awardees include programs at YMCAs, 4-H groups and Metroparks operations.

OMTA, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, recently created a video educating on the carbon monoxide dangers while boating. That video can be viewed here.

Members of the nine local marine trades associations located throughout the Sunshine State will converge on Ft. Myers for this year’s annual meeting of the Marine Industry Association of Florida next month.

Hosted this year by the Marine Industry Association of Southwest Florida & Tampa Bay, the 3-day conference agenda will include presentations and discussions on a wide range of current issues facing boating and the industry such as Legislative Actions and Reviews, Permitting and Water Access Challenges, Workforce Initiatives, Marine Tech School programs and Regulatory Actions; Forward Marketing/Promotional programs, among others.

The kick-off night will happens at the annual MIAF Membership Dinner. This year it will feature a unique panel presentation on how the boating industry dealt with the devastation of Hurricane Ian, the lessons learned and an assessment of where things are two years later.

The MIAF Conference is slated for Sept. 25-27 at the Luminary Hotel and Convention Center in Ft. Myers. Get more details from: [email protected].

DEALER WEEK – In the current sluggish economy for boat sales, this year’s Dealer Week, presented by the Marine Retailers Association of the America’s, is expecting a record attendance of dealers from around the nation to gather in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 8-11.

For more than 50 years, MRAA has delivered world-class educational programming to dealers, retailers and service operators. Every year, Dealer Week engages, energizes and empowers the retail dealer community.

The daily sessions offer choices of educational opportunities and applicable presentations. And, the real strength of this conference is its format allowing dealers from around the country to share and learn from each other about what works where, what doesn’t, and how to grow and profit. That’s why Dealer Week is notable as boating’s only event focused on dealer growth.

Dealer Week 2024 Early Registration is now open. Register Here