The National Marine Manufacturers Association this morning named the judges who will evaluate product entries for the 2025 Miami Innovation Awards. The program recognizes manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market.
The judging panel is comprised of seven Boating Writers International members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine products and equipment. Judges for the 2025 Miami Innovation Awards are:
Tim Murphy (Chair): Tim Murphy is the education director for the American Boat & Yacht Council. A contributing editor to BoatUS magazine, and a Cruising World editor- at-Large, Murphy has worked as a marine journalist for more than 30 years.
Ben Stein (Co-Chair): Ben Stein is editor of Panbo.com covering marine technology. He also writes a monthly Getting Technical column for Soundings Trade Only and serves as electronics editor for Power & Motoryacht and PassageMaker magazines.
Gary Reich: Gary Reich is the editor-in-chief of Soundings Trade Only magazine and has worked in the marine industry for 35 years. He is a former liveaboard sailor, passionate angler and complete marine gear nerd.
Kim Knudsen: Kim Knudsen is currently the head of Marketing Operations for Boatsetter, the leading mobile app for boat rentals, charters, and on-the-water experiences, and has been recognized in Boating Industry‘s Bold Moves for 2024 and the Top 40 Under 40 in 2021.
Tony Esposito: A 30-year marine industry veteran, Tony Esposito is a contributor to speedonthewater.com and U.S. correspondent for International Boat Industry/IBI, following a management career with Mercury Marine, Mercury Racing and Custom Marine Inc.
Kate Bush: Kate Bush is the editorial director of Lakeland Boating, a regional boating magazine that caters to Great Lakes boaters and has been in publication since 1946. Kate has been in the boating industry for nearly a decade and was previously the assistant editor at the magazine. Born and raised in Michigan, Kate has been a boater all her life.
Kelsey Bonham: Kelsey Bonham is the Associate Editor of BoatU.S. Magazine, covering everything from tech and new products to personality profiles and the marine environment. A lifelong sailor, at 20 she refitwed her own boat top to bottom, then skippered the 30-footer up and down the East Coast.
The 2025 award recipients will be announced during the Industry Breakfast at the Miami International Boat Show on Feb. 13 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Sunset Ballroom.
