Judges Named for 2008 Miami Innovation Awards Program

CHICAGO, January 23, 2008 - - The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) have announced judges for the 2008 Miami Innovation Awards, presented during the Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) Media Breakfast on Thursday, February 14, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. in Room A204-205 of the Miami Beach Convention Center.

MIBS and Strictly Sail Miami will be held February 14-18 at three locations throughout the city: the Miami Beach Convention Center ; Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center ; and Miamarina at Bayside.

The judges’ committee is comprised of BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine accessories. Zuzana Prochazka, chair of the BWI Innovation Awards Committee and a staff writer for Latitudes & Attitudes magazine, will serve as the Miami Innovation Awards Chair. Other BWI members participating on the committee for this year’s Miami Innovation Awards include:

• Tim Banse, editor of MarineEngineDigest.com and regular contributor to Yachting and Motor Boating magazines

• Ben Ellison, electronics editor of Power & Motoryacht and SAIL magazines and author of electronics blog Panbo.com

• Jan Mundy, co-founder and editor of DIY Boat Owner magazine

• Lenny Rudow, freelance writer, author and boating editor of Texas Fish & Game magazine

• Matt Trulio, editor-at-large of Powerboat magazine and powerboat editor for boats.com

• John Wooldridge, executive editor of PassageMaker magazine

NMMA and BWI will recognize up to nine new products, plus one Environmental Award, at the 2008 Miami show. Exhibiting companies can submit products (along with a $200 entry fee) for consideration in the following categories until January 25, 2008:

• Runabouts and Fishing Craft to 24’

• Inboard and Outboard Powered Cruisers (24’ to 140’ including fishing craft)

• PWC, Jet Boats, Pontoon Boats

• Inflatables, Small Boats (up to 15’) and Tenders

• Sailboats (mono, multi-hull)

• Consumer Installed Docking and Fendering Equipment (Owner-installed docks, boatwhips, boatlifts, davits, cranes, fenders or fendering systems, etc.)

• Consumer Electronics and Software 

• Consumer Personal Gear (clothing, sunglasses, safety equipment available to consumer or anything you might carry on your person)

• Consumer Installed Non-Electric Hardware (equipment must be non-electronic and may be deck equipment such as anchors, BBQs, blocks, winches/winch handles or interior hardware such as screens, vents, etc.)

Please note: All boats entered in the 2008 Miami Innovation Awards program must be NMMA Certified.

To submit a product for consideration in the 2008 Miami Innovation Awards, visit nmma.org/lib/docs/boatshows/miami/Miami2008InnovAwardsEntryForm.pdf or contact NMMA trade events project manager  Melissa Skomedal at (312) 946-6281; mskomedal@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 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.