NMMA Currents

View the 2012 Discover Boating Marketing Campaign Webinar (Recorded from May 16)

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

If you missed last week's all-industry webinar highlighting marketing plans for Discover Boating's 2012 campaign, you can easily download the presentation slides and full recording here: http://www.growboating.org/toolkit/webinars.aspx.

NMMA announces data from new recreational boating statistical abstract

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

Last week NMMA announced some of the key data from its 2011 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract including: In 2011 U.S. retail sales for recreational boats, accessories and marine services increased 6 percent to $32.3 billion, new power and sail boat retail sales increased 0.8 percent to 214,405, and boating participation increased 10 percent to 83 million.

Learn all your association did for you last year: 2011 NMMA Annual Report

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

The 2011 NMMA Annual Report is now available for members to download and learn about the key results and work generated on your behalf. The Annual Report includes a letter from NMMA Chairman, Jason Pajonk-Taylor and a letter from NMMA President, Thom Dammrich.

We need your feedback!

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

Did you attend this year's American Boating Congress? To ensure ABC is an annual success, we want to hear from you! Please take a few short minutes to complete our brief survey about your experience at ABC. Your responses will shape the future conferences. Please visit this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BTHJRVK to access the online survey. Photos from the event are now available! To see pictures of this year's ABC attendees in action, visit this link http://www.nmma.org/government/abc/photogallery.aspx.

Free webinar: Top export markets for boat and equipment manufacturers

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

NMMA and the International Trade Administration are continuing our partnership to assist NMMA members to expand their sales to new international markets with a webinar highlighting several important markets that have expanding opportunities. This free webinar will provide an overview of the top hot markets for boats and marine accessories.

Get onboard and help support National Safe Boating Week May 19-25

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

As we prepare for the busy summer boating season, it's important to remember to support responsible and safe boating by helping educate boaters on how to be safe on the water.

Save the date: Discover Boating and NMMA's Carl Blackwell to speak at Sail America Industry Conference June 25-27

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

Interested in learning more about what's happening across the sailing industry? Register now for Sail America's Industry Conference, June 25-27, at the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina in Newport, R.I. Click here to sign up and save with the group hotel rate until May 25.

Welcome new NMMA members!

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

NMMA is proud to announce the addition of three new members. Welcome to the team Skipper Bud's in Winthrop Harbor, Ill., Diamond City Trailers Inc. and Delta T Systems. Thank you for joining NMMA to make boating the preferred choice in recreation!

NAM Webinar: Take advantage of new Free Trade Agreement with Korea

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the U.S. Commercial Service invite NMMA members to join them this Wednesday, May 23 at 4 p.m. EDT for a one-hour webinar featuring trade experts from NAM and the U.S. Department of Commerce who will give you tips on how to take advantage of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that went into effect March 15, 2012.

NMMA member benefit offers portfolio of discounted shipping services

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

Whatever your shipping need — package or freight, surface or air, U.S. or international, routine or emergency, next day or next week — NMMA Freight Savings Plan has a discounted shipping solution to meet it. This free NMMA member benefit offers substantial discounts on a comprehensive portfolio of shipping services ranging from international priority and standard overnight shipping to cost effective ground shipping.

Bet on US manufacturing for a rebound

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

John Wasik writes, "If you were betting on a big rebound for any one sector this year, you probably would have put your money on banking instead of manufacturing. The more glamorous rebound story has been banking and the financial services sector, but with the revelation of a $2 billion trading loss at JP Morgan Chase & Co, it's clear some of the biggest banks may have not taken the lessons of 2008 seriously. They continue to bad-mouth and fight reforms and engage in risky derivatives trading, and there is likely more dirt under the carpet in that sector."

Obama announces tax break for small businesses

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

President Barack Obama recently urged Congress to pass a bill that would give a 10 percent tax credit to small businesses that create new jobs or increase wages this year. Under the White House proposal, previewed in a video address, a company would get credit against income taxes worth up to 10 percent of the increase in total 2012 wages (either salaries for new hires or raises). For example, if you raise your payroll by $1 million, you'll see a $100,000 tax credit.

America's first national travel and tourism strategy unveiled

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

Approximately five months after President Barack Obama announced it, his administration has released the country's first national strategy on travel and tourism, designed to increase travel to and within the United States.

When to share sensitive information with your team

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

Amy Gallo writes, "Being the boss means you are often privy to information that your team isn't. You may learn that a major client is unhappy with your service, or that senior leaders are considering outsourcing your team's work. At these moments, it's easy to feel stuck between your bosses and the people you manage. Do you share the information? Or do you protect your employees from it? Whatever the news, it's up to you to decide whether, when, and how to tell your team."

Responsible private equity investors revitalizing US manufacturing

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

Private equity firms and their investors from Taft-Hartley and state pension funds offered compelling accounts of their success in securing profitable returns on investment in U.S. manufacturing — especially in the Midwest — at the Heartland Capital Strategies fourth and final Responsible Investment Forum, organized in collaboration with the Blue Green Alliance.

Small business owners and the estimated tax payment

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

For new small business owners, meeting your tax obligations is a big adjustment — particularly when you've been used to having an employer take out income tax withholdings with each paycheck. When you have your own business though, tax time isn't just once a year; rather you have to make estimated tax payments throughout the year.

Millennials might be broke, but they're still spending on luxury goods

21 May 2012 15:12:02 CDT

Though some millennials, those born between 1980 and 2000, are launching promising careers, most are burdened with large student loans, and thousands are unemployed (millennials make up one of the highest unemployment rates in the country). Despite this, they are making luxury purchases a priority.