October 10, 2005
USA - The Grow Boating Initiative, which is a cooperative effort by the recreational boating industry to increase participation in boating, will have a hard time succeeding if Americans do not have adequate access to the nation’s waterways. Twenty-eight industry leaders recently met in Chicago to address the issues limiting water access and to discuss what role the Grow Boating Initiative has to undertake in dealing with the situation.“This is one of the most important issues facing our industry today,” says Tom Errath, chair of the Grow Boating Water Access committee and general manager of Water Access at Brunswick. “In order to make a difference, it was imperative that the industry back the committee’s efforts, and judging by the number of members we have, it is clear we have the industry’s support.”
At the meeting, the group determined that it will focus on four areas that have the greatest impact on water access:
Permitting
Policy reform
Land use issues (mixing access and development)
Compiling data and outreach efforts to change access issues
With these focus areas in mind, the committee is researching and identifying specific tactics and strategies until it reconvenes October 25-26 at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, FL, just prior to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
“The committee is working to narrow its focus, to make the industry’s efforts to grow boating as effective as possible. The meeting was an excellent first step, and the committee we have assembled is ready to take on these critical issues,” says Jim Frye, president of the Association of Marina Industries and NMMA director of Marinas and Boating Access.
The Water Access Committee is one of five committees developed for the Grow Boating Initiative to ensure that the industry meets the goals established for the campaign. The others are: Dealer Standards & Quality, Product Standards & Quality, Timely & Accurate Sales Statistics, Marketing/Communications and Funding committees.
“In order for the Grow Boating Initiative to work, every strategic area must be successful. We must find ways to protect water access to recreational boating in order for the pastime to grow and for our industry to prosper,” says NMMA president Thom Dammrich.
