NMMA Members Go Above & Beyond for Grow Boating Initiative

Companies exceeding member assessment to pay for Start Up Fund

CHICAGO, January 18, 2005 -- NMMA members are doing their part for the Grow Boating Start Up Fund, with more than two dozen companies contributing more than they were asked to in their original Grow Boating assessment sent out last year.

In early December 2004, NMMA member companies were sent a special assessment equal to a third of their annual dues to help the industry pay the $2 million Grow Boating Start Up Fund that is being used to cover the costs for the creative development and production of the marketing campaign expected to launch in 2005. 

“NMMA members have stepped up and many are contributing at a level far beyond their special assessment,” says NMMA president Thom Dammrich.  “They are leading by example and their selfless contributions should encourage other industry stakeholders to give their financial support to the Grow Boating campaign.”

NMMA members that have sent in more than what they were invoiced for the special assessment to support the Grow Boating Initiative include:  Accon Marine, Beacon Marine Credit, Beckson Marine, BoatLife, Edson International, Garelick Manufacturing, Godfrey Marine, Indmar Products, Martin Flory Group, Massachusetts Marine Trade Association, MasterCraft Boat Company, Perko, Inc., Premier Marine, Inc., Syntec Industries, T-H Marine, and XPress Boats.

These contributions are in addition to earlier ones announced from GE ($100,000), Stingray ($25,000), Teleflex Marine ($25,000), the Michigan Boating Industry Association ($18,900), Marine Industries Association of Florida and Marine Industries Association of South Florida ($35,000), National Marine Bankers Association ($10,000), the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association ($12,000), Southern California Marine Association ($10,000) and Boating Trades Association of Houston ($10,000).

The marketing campaign for the 2005 Grow Boating Initiative will be introduced at a special All-Industry Meeting at the Miami International Boat Show, being held February 16 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The list of contributors to the GBI Start Up Fund is updated daily on www.growboating.org. For information on contributing to the Grow Boating fund, or to contribute online, visit the Grow Boating website at www.growboating.org.  Contributions can also be sent to NMMA, Grow Boating Start Up Fund, 33928 Treasury Center, Chicago, IL 60694-3900.

The Grow Boating Initiative is a cooperative effort among leaders in the recreational boating industry to increase participation in boating by actively promoting the boating lifestyle to the public, improving product quality and industry statistics.