USA: Thirteen Products Receive Boating Industry’s Prestigious Innovation Award

February 23, 2012

Fifteen marine products were honored for innovative achievement by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) at the 71st annual Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail. Thirteen companies took home the prestigious boating industry 2012 Innovation Award and two the Honorable Mention during NMMA’s State of the Recreational Boating Industry Breakfast, held at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The Innovation Awards, organized by NMMA and judged by BWI, recognize products that best meet the following criteria: innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; cost-effectiveness; and availability to the consumer within 60 days of award receipt.

“The number of entries this year exceeded our expectations, and all of the products we reviewed paint a bright future for boating industry evolution,” noted Zuzana Prochazka, Innovation Awards’ Judge Chair, Editor of TalkoftheDock.com, Technical Editor of Latitudes & Attitudes, and President of BWI Board of Directors. “The winners recognized at the boat show today are a testament to the ongoing commitment to boating ingenuity necessary to the future of our industry, and we’re excited to see how these products adapt in the marketplace.”

In addition to Prochazka, rounding out the panel of judges for this year’s Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Innovation Awards are Ed Sherman, Educational Programming Director at the American Boat & Yacht Council, (ABYC); Jan Mundy, co-founder of DIY Boat Owner and writer; Lenny Rudow, Boat Review Editor for Boats.com and Electronics Editor for BoatUS and Marlin magazines; Alan Jones, Executive Editor for Boating World magazine; Elaine Lembo, Cruising World deputy editor; and Mark Corke, author, owner of the On Board with mark Corke blog and Contributing Writer to Soundings and Lakeland Boating magazines.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, February 23, 2012; Images: miamiboatshow