Southern California Marine Association integrates with the National Marine Manufacturers Association
(Press Release)
June 29, 2012
Filed under News
Press Release
CHICAGO – June 29, 2012 – The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced today the integration of the Southern California Marine Association (SCMA) and its members with NMMA in an effort to grow boating participation across the U.S. and expand the market for recreational boating. With the integration, which received a 94 percent approval from SCMA voters, SCMA and its members will be a part of NMMA under the newly formed NMMA West.
“Our industry has undergone dramatic changes over the course of the past decade, and NMMA believes in staying ahead of these changes to ensure we’re able to continue doing what’s right for recreational boating,” stated Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. “By bringing SCMA into NMMA, we’re confident we’ll be able to improve how we position the industry for growth–in Southern California and throughout the U.S.”
“We’ve been looking for ways to improve offerings for members of SCMA and reignite the recreational boating industry in Southern California – the integration with NMMA was a natural move to help achieve these goals,” said Dave Geoffroy, Executive Director, NMMA West. “With NMMA being a leading producer of boat and sportshows and having top-notch resources spanning marketing and communications, government relations advocacy, market research and statistics, and certification, we’re looking forward to new opportunities that will derive from becoming NMMA West.”
NMMA will take on all of SCMA’s assets, maintain SCMA staff in its existing Southern California office, and produce the San Diego Yacht & Boat Show, Long Beach Yacht & Boat Show and Los Angeles Boat Show, beginning with the San Diego show taking place July 26-29, 2012.
SCMA members who were not already NMMA members will receive three years of paid NMMA membership as part of the integration. To guide the specific needs of its new members in Southern California, which include marine manufacturers, dealers and retailers, a dedicated Board of Directors from these companies will be formed and will report to the NMMA Board.
SCMA’s integration with NMMA comes on the heels of its recent decision to open Associate NMMA membership to boat dealers, retailers and distributors as it adapts to an industry that increasingly requires all segments to work together to be successful. NMMA’s new approach is similar to what marine industry associations around the world have been doing for years—membership that’s inclusive of all industry segments.
About NMMA: National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit NMMA.org.
