Frank Scalpone, who ran the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s boat show operations until his retirement in 1992, died Oct. 12. He was 96.
In a self-authored statement, Scalpone wrote that he devoted most of his career to the boating industry. He earned an undergraduate degree from Fordham and worked for a sportscar magazine before becoming of editor of Boat Sport, which led to a job at Mercury Marine.
Scalpone spent 11 years working in public relations for Carl Kiekhaefer at Mercury Marine, eventually becoming director of marketing. In 1972, Scalpone took on the leadership of the National Association of Engine and Boat Manufacturers, an NMMA predecessor. He is credited with rejuvenating the New York Boat Show and creating the Norwalk Boat Show in Connecticut.
Scalpone became an executive vice president at NMMA and built the shows division with the acquisitions of events in Miami, Philadelphia, St. Louis, New Orleans and San Diego.
