Industry meetings with federal policy makers - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 6 May 08:00 PDT
Joint NMMA-IMCI Meeting © NMMA
The recreational boating industry gathered in Washington, D.C., for the start of the American Boating Congress 2026 (ABC), bringing together manufacturers, dealers, retailers and stakeholders from across the country for three days of policy discussions, industry alignment and direct engagement with federal policymakers.
NMMA hosted a joint inspectors meeting this week in Chicago, bringing together NMMA inspectors and representatives from the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI), a European notified body, for a collaborative session focused on marine certification, compliance oversight and international alignment. The meeting served as a forum for reinforcing consistency in inspection practices, reviewing regulatory updates and addressing emerging industry challenges. Inspectors from across the program shared field insights, discussed interpretation of standards and worked to ensure certification processes remain transparent, consistent and aligned with both domestic and international expectations.
Consumer confidence surprised to the upside in April, offering a modest signal of resilience despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index increased to 92.8, modestly above March's upwardly revised 92.2 reading, marking a second consecutive monthly gain and exceeding expectations for a decline.
World Boating Day (WBD) returns this May with an expanded global programme designed to open up boating to everyone, from curious newcomers to seasoned enthusiasts. Across 19 countries, a wide mix of companies, organisations and communities will host a selection of events designed to bring boating to life. Get ready for an action-packed lineup, from behind-the-scenes shipyard tours and exhilarating sailing experiences to exhibitions, lively networking events, and hands-on activities the whole family can dive into.
Clean water is the foundation of everything we do - and now, there's a way for the entire industry to come together and make a measurable impact. The American Sportfishing Association is launching the Million Pound Challenge, a member-led effort to remove 1,000,000 pounds of trash from our nation's waterways. Timed around National Fishing & Boating Week and continuing throughout the summer, this initiative is built to unite our industry behind a simple message: we protect what we love. Here's how to get involved: Organize a local cleanup—shorelines, boat ramps, rivers, lakes, and more. Rally your staff, customers, and community partners. Track and report the trash you remove to contribute to the million-pound goal.
LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII) announced that the company and Patrick Industries (NASDAQ: PATK) have terminated discussions regarding a potential merger of equals, as the companies were unable to reach mutually agreeable terms. LCI Industries and Patrick Industries each previously confirmed discussions on April 17 and noted there could be no assurance that any such agreement would be reached.
The Association of Marina Industries (AMI) Conference & Expo has posted a Call for Proposals on its website and social media accounts. Deadline for submitting proposals for consideration is June 1, 2026. The AMI Conference & Expo is scheduled for February 1-3, 2027, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The AMI team is looking for breakout and workshop topics relevant to the business of marinas and boatyards, from operations to management, for its all-industry audience including Certified Marina Managers (CMMs) and Certified Marina Operators (CMOs), as well as marina designers, engineers, sales professionals, and staff. Topics will target entry-level staff to senior and executive management.
The arrival of a new boating season for much of the country means that anything is possible on the coast - including the chances of high tide flooding. Sea levels in regions such as the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are typically higher in the late spring, largely due to changing weather patterns and warming water temperatures. As a result, many locations will see their highest water levels of the year in May, with nearly two dozen significant East Coast ports including Boston, Cape May, and Cape Canaveral all predicted to have possible flooding. The West Coast and Hawaiian Islands will also see the possibility of flooding in many harbors, with high-water events likely on the Big Island. Higher than normal high tides will occur around the new moon, on May 16, and on the two full moons that occur this month — on May 1 and May 31. These higher-than-normal tides (and lower than normal lows) occur during the perigean spring tide, when the moon is new and closest to Earth. If a storm happens to occur during these periods, the potential for coastal flooding and erosion will increase even more.
More marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/NorthAmerica
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media