The National Marine Manufacturers Association yesterday announced the judges who will evaluate product entries for the Miami Innovations Awards. The program recognizes manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative boating products to market.
Recipients will be announced Feb. 12 during the Industry Breakfast at the Miami International Boat Show. Purchase tickets for the breakfast here.
The judging panel is composed of seven Boating Writers International members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise products and equipment.
This year’s judges are:
Tim Murphy (chair): Murphy is education director for the American Boat & Yacht Council, a contributing editor to BoatUS Magazine and a Cruising World editor-at-large.
Ben Stein (co-chair): Stein is editor of Panbo.com covering marine technology. He chairs the IBEX Innovation Awards and is a member of DAME design awards jury at Metstrade.
Kelsey Bailey: Bailey is associate editor of BoatUS Magazine, covering everything from tech and new products to personality profiles and the environment.
Brady Kay: Kay is executive editor of Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine, where he has been at the helm for more than 25 years. He served for 10 years on the BWI board of directors, including three years as president.
Elaine Lembo: A veteran marine journalist and sailor with award-winning credits in numerous publications, Lembo is editor-in-chief of Caribbean Compass.
Charlie Levine: Levine, the former editor-in-chief of Anglers Journal, is a passionate fisherman and boater whose writing career spans more than 25 years.
Gary Reich: The editor-in-chief of Soundings Trade Only, Reich, a passionate angler and former liveaboard, has worked in the marine industry for 35 years.
The award entries will be judged across 21 product categories. All entrants and winners will be on display throughout the Miami show, which runs Feb. 11-15.
