Event news dominates this week - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 12 Aug 08:00 PDT
American Boating Congress (ABC) will take place May 17–19, 2027, in Washington, D.C © NMMA
Mark your calendars. The American Boating Congress (ABC) will take place May 17-19, 2027, in Washington, D.C., bringing the recreational boating industry together for three days of advocacy, engagement, and direct conversations with federal policymakers.
ABC is the industry's premier advocacy event to be seen and heard on Capitol Hill and before federal agencies.
Hawaii has taken an important step toward strengthening its marine economy and supporting recreational boating with the enactment of S.B. 2907, signed into law on July 7. The legislation establishes the Office of Marine Affairs and the Marine Affairs Governing Board within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, creating a more coordinated approach to marine policy, economic development, and industry growth across the state.
For the first time, Florida licensed insurance professionals can earn Continuing Education (CE) credit at North America's largest technical conference for the recreational marine industry. IBEX LLC (an approved CE training provider through the Florida Department of Financial Services) will offer eight state-approved seminars worth up to 16 CE hours during IBEX, the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference, October 6-8 in Tampa, Florida.
The recreational boating industry came together in Chicago, Illinois for a marine technology demonstration held during the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit for an event focused on the technologies and fuels that will help shape the future of boating. Hosted at Suntex's 31st Street Harbor, the event brought together legislators from ten states, as well as marine manufacturers, and industry leaders for an afternoon of presentations and on-water demonstrations. The program highlighted the many technologies that help reduce emissions from recreational boating .
Brooklyn Bridge Marina will host an exclusive innovation showcase on August 18, welcoming Brunswick Corporation to New York Harbor for an immersive media event highlighting the future of boating. The event will bring national and international journalists together for on-water demonstrations, product experiences and discussions centered on the technologies and trends redefining marine recreation.
The Sea Tow Foundation, a national non-profit dedicated to reducing boating-related accidents and fatalities, in partnership with its Boating Safety Advisory Council, is now accepting applications for the 2026 National Boating Safety Awards. The awards recognize and celebrate outstanding efforts within the recreational boating industry that promote safe and responsible boating.
One year after the landmark 2x25 Review revealed the persistent barriers preventing women from progressing across sailing and the wider marine industry, The Magenta Project is celebrating its largest graduating mentoring cohort, marking another milestone in the organisation's mission to create a more equitable future for the sport. The 2025/26 cohort sees 77 women graduate from The Magenta Project's internationally recognised Mentoring Programme.
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media