Last month, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas was the first group to announce it would co-host the American Boating Congress (ABC) with the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and today NMMA announces the addition of 7 more leading industry groups that will co-host ABC, joining the rallying-cry to strengthen the industry’s collective advocacy impact following 2011’s industry Growth Summit. ABC will be held in Washington, DC on April 24-25.

Committed co-hosts to-date include the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the Center for Coastal Conservation, the South Carolina Marine Association, the National Marine Distributors Association, the Boy Scouts/Sea Scouts, the Boating Trades Association of Metropolitan Houston, the U.S. Superyacht Association and the Association of Marina Industries.  As co-hosts, these organizations have committed themselves to growing the industry through partnership on public policy advocacy. Assembling from a wide variety of industry segments, these groups provide ongoing counsel and insight into what issues are of the most pressing interest to stakeholders and advocates, ensuring that ABC’s agenda will be packed with timely and relevant policy matters. These co-hosts will be attending ABC with representatives from their respective organizations, contributing to a dynamic dialogue during the event.

ABC is the premier legislative conference for the recreational boating industry. The 2012 agenda includes a variety of dynamic speakers, invited to discuss an array of urgent policy and legislative issues affecting the recreational boating industry. Policymakers, advocates and stakeholders will be on hand to respond to industry specific issues.

NMMA President, Thom Dammrich says “NMMA is thrilled to co-host ABC in partnership with so many committed industry organizations. This is a real opportunity for growth through advocacy, bolstering the impact of ABC to benefit the recreational boating industry. We look forward to a continued expansion of ABC co-hosts.”