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 67^th 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.