The 13th annual Boating Industry Movers & Shakers Award recognizes innovative leaders and pioneers in the recreational boating industry who embrace the challenge of change. Their passion for boating, combined with a continual quest for improvement and problem solving, not only make their own companies better, but brighten the future of the entire industry.

Editor-in-chief Adam Quandt will interview the 2023 Mover & Shaker winner, Cecil Cohn (President, Freedom Boat Club), in a wide-ranging conversation that is sure to be entertaining, insightful and informative.

Opening Keynote sponsored by KICKER

Is the economy revving up, idling, or stalling out? Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will walk through where the economy is now, where it’s going in 2024, and where it's likely to be in 2025. He’ll talk inflation, the Fed, interest rates, and what all that means for consumer spending on powersports products.

Curtis will also dive into potential policy changes in Washington, the impact of the 2024 elections on the economy, and more. Be prepared to leave this keynote session armed with actionable knowledge and a sharper perspective on how to navigate the ever-evolving economic tides and steer your business toward greater success.

Join industry leaders for a panel discussion on the most important challenges and opportunities facing the recreational boating industry. We’ll delve into topics such as workforce, inflation, inventory issues, supply chain, and cosumer demand forecasts. Questions and audience interaction is encouraged.

Moderated by Boating Industry consultant and former Editor-in-Chief, David Gee.

Hear from NMMA’s senior government affairs leader, Callie Hoyt, as she details the recreational boating industry's top legislative priorities. We'll get an update on Capitol Hill and learn about measures designed to address small businesses, infrastructure, and trade.

We'll also hear about strong grassroots efforts to make sure the boating industry is prioritized by policymakers, including ways you can get involved at the local, state, regional and even federal levels.

Interested in making data-driven decisions? Let’s take a deep dive into the numbers with our annual ELEVATE SUMMIT market data analysis. 

Questions we’ll be answering: How will 2023 rank historically? What are the trends that can be gleaned from the data? What segments surged this year? Which ones hold the strongest potential for growth? What segments are lagging? Where are the areas of concern? What should we expect in the next couple of years?

Hear from industry analysts who follow the numbers every single day as they share pertinent insights from their analysis and data. 

Join Sarah Devlin, Accreditation Director of the American Boat & Yacht Council, as she delivers a fun, interactive presentation on workforce development. ABYC is the essential source of technical information in the marine industry and a leader in marine technician education.

Their stakeholders and industry experts include boat builders, technicians, engineers, boat and accessory manufacturers, surveyors and investigators, retailers and dealers, yacht brokers and designers, marinas, law firms, government agencies, boat owners, insurance companies and more. 

Studies have shown that up to 80% of our future success depends on EI (emotional intelligence) rather than IQ. The truth is, mastering emotional intelligence is the key to unlocking your true potential as a leader and communicator.

Join insightful keynote speaker, Stephen Barth, as he details exactly what emotional intelligence looks like in leadership. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of EI, a gap analysis for your personal path to mastering it, and insights on how to professionally cope with stress and challenges. We'll also discuss how to apply emotional intelligence in your own organizations to develop engaged, productive and committed employees.

Following last year's engaging session on the electric boat space, we're keeping our focus on the future of marine sustainability. This year, we're shifting gears to explore the advancements, innovations, and accessibility of sustainable marine fuels in today's market. 

Sustainable marine fuels are the driving force behind reducing CO2 emissions while maintaining boat range and performance. The best part? They seamlessly integrate with existing recreational boats, requiring no alterations to fuel systems or engines.

Join us for an enlightening panel discussion featuring Jeff Wasil, Director of Environment, Health, and Safety Compliance at NMMA, Jennifer Koenig, Chief Sustainability Officer at Brunswick, and Jess Hewitt, President of Hyperfuels, as they delve into this dynamic and ever-evolving topic.

From expertly navigating challenges to achieving remarkable success, these women are making waves in the marine industry. Hear from four accomplished leaders as they share their experiences working – and exceling in – the recreational boating industry.

Whether you're an industry insider, aspiring professional, or simply curious about their remarkable stories, this session will offer a rare opportunity to gain firsthand insights from these accomplished women.

Wanda Kenton Smith, experienced marketing and PR professional, moderates with introduction from Boating Industry's own Leslie Palmer.

How well do you know the boating industry consumer? EPG Specialty Information, a branch of Boating Industry's parent company, serves the Adult Beverage and Power Sports/Equipment sectors by leveraging their profound industry knowledge and a rich array of demographic, psychographic, behavioral, purchase-based, and consumption data sets. Their expertise translates into actionable measurements, detailed reports, and insightful analysis. 

Drawing from three years' worth of surveys conducted among the general boating public (not limited to industry insiders), EPG Specialty Information will unveil exclusive insights into consumer boating preferences, purchasing habits, and behaviors.

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion with Boating Industry Top 100 winners. This remarkable group of dealers will share their own best practices, invaluable lessons garnered through their years in the industry, and their vision of what the future of boating holds.

Engage directly with these seasoned dealers during an interactive Q&A segment and expect to leave with strategic insights and actionable, hands-on advice. Our discussion will be skillfully moderated by Adam Quandt, Editor-in-Chief of Boating Industry.

(Invitation Only)

Last, but certainly not least, Boating Industry announces its 2023 Top 100 winners at our annual black-tie gala. This event recognizes those in the marine industry who are unsurpassed in business operations, professionalism, marketing tactics, customer service and more.

The Boating Industry Top 100 has recognized the top performers in North America every year since 2005. This invitation-only event requires RSVP. Full information provided with official invite.