NMMA Supports Life Jacket Use at Miami International Boat Show... All boat show staff to wear life jackets throughout duration of show

CHICAGO, February 11, 2008 - - To show support for ongoing boating
safety efforts, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)
will showcase new, lightweight, fashionable life jackets and the
importance of wearing them while participating in boating and
boating-related activities as part of the upcoming 67th Annual Miami
International Boat Show, taking place February 14-18.

Throughout the event, security guards, ticket takers, greeters and show
staff will wear life jackets to promote the availability of new,
comfortable styles and to help reinforce responsible boating messages.
NMMA staff, PR representatives and guest speakers at the show will also
don life jackets during the Miami Media Breakfast on Thursday, February
14.

"We want to reiterate the fact that life jackets are part of the boating
uniform," says Cathy Rick-Joule, NMMA vice president of Southern Shows
and manager of the Miami International Boat Show. "Life jackets are no
longer the bulky, orange vests of years past. Today's styles are
sleeker, lighter, more stylish and, most importantly, more comfortable
to wear."

Approximately 150 life jackets were donated for use at the Miami show by
several manufacturers, including: Body Glove; Kent Sporting Goods;
Marine Technologies International (Bluestorm); Mustang Survival; and
Stearns Inc. The donated jackets include inflatables (both vests and
belt packs) and inherently buoyant models in a variety of styles, colors
and brands.

In addition to live models, signage will be posted around the Miami show
floor encouraging life jacket use. The signs depict various black and
white boating lifestyle scenes, with only the life jackets illuminated
in visible, bright colors. Underneath the images the tagline reads, "It
Only Works If You Wear It." These posters will be scattered throughout
the show in prominent places, reinforcing the work boating safety
organizations are doing by emphasizing the visual impact of how life
jackets are worn. Life jacket-clad mannequin displays will also be
visible on the show floor, and a number of boat manufacturers exhibiting
at the Miami show were asked to help support the cause by featuring life
jackets as part of their exhibits.

A special award will be presented to the boat manufacturer that best
incorporates life jackets as part of its display as part of the Miami
Best of Show Awards, which are announced Friday evening, February 15.

Allstate Boat Insurance will also do its part to support life jacket use
through its Allstate Safety Weekend, taking place Saturday and Sunday,
February 17 and 18. During the Safety Weekend, children 12 and younger
receive a free life jacket at the Allstate booth (#1760) in the Miami
Beach Convention Center.

For more information, contact NMMA Affiliates director Bernice McArdle
at (312) 946-6280; bmcardle@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.