MATES to Host Pavilion During IBEX 2007...  

Members available to demonstrate real-world benefits of data exchange standards

CHICAGO, October 2, 2007 - - The Marine Association for Technology Exchange Standards (MATES) will host a members MATES Pavilion at the upcoming International BoatBuilders’ Exposition & Conference (IBEX), taking place October 10-12 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The pavilion, located near the NMMA Compliance & Standards Pavilion on the show floor, will feature a subgroup of MATES members exhibiting products and services that employ MATES data exchange standards. These may include specifications for communicating sales leads, parts orders, locating a particular dealership, or inventory re-marketing/boat listings.

“Not everyone understands the ‘nuts and bolts’ technologies we use to simplify marine industry businesses, as well as our own,” says Tony Pimentel , COO of Watch Captain and a member of the MATES Board of Directors. “The MATES Pavilion provides a perfect opportunity to demonstrate and highlight the real-world application of these technologies, developed through the hard work of MATES members within the past year.”

Originally founded by a small group of industry leaders, MATES is working to unite the marine industry by developing, implementing and supporting a common set of non-proprietary communication and data exchange standards. MATES’ ultimate goal is to create an environment where people and companies in the industry can focus on value-added activity by reducing IT burdens and eliminating system incompatibility, making it easier for companies to transact business with one another.

For more information on MATES or the specific benefits of membership, visit firstmates.org or contact MATES executive director John Warnik at (312) 946-6295; jwarnik@nmma.org.

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the United States . The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.