Boating Industry

July 2017

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INDUSTRY NEWS www.BoatingIndustry.com July 2017 | Boating Industry | 9 award, recognizing Deal for his efforts as a boating and fishing advocate, most notably his co-chairing of the Commission on Saltwa- ter Recreational Fisheries Management. Dave Pfeiffer of Shimano received the Eddie Smith Manufacturer of the Year Award, named for Grady-White chairman and CEO Eddie Smith. Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy, pre- sented the award. "Dave Pfeiffer is committed to sharing his passion for fishing with others and ensuring recreational fishing exists for future genera- tions," Angers said. "Dave serves as an ex- ample of a true leader in conservation, and we honor him for playing an important role in the battle for access to America's public fishery resources." The award was established by the center to honor extraordinary commitment to con- servation by manufacturers, Angers said. Speaker lineup New to the 2017 schedule was "'Inside the Beltway' Republican and Democrat Insights," delivered by a panel from Forbes Tate Partners, a D.C. lobbying firm that works with NMMA. George Cooper, Rick Murphy and Frank Steinberg talked about the current climate in Washington and the challenges facing any industry looking to advance its issues. Most notably, there is an unpredictability as newcomers to Washington, especially in the Trump administration, try to change the way business is done in the capital. What was once thought of as unbelievable is now reality in Washington today, Cooper said. "We are living in a world of no nevers," he said. This year's ABC also included several elected and regulatory officials who ad- dressed the conference. The speakers repeat- edly emphasized the importance of being involved in government issues and lobbying for the industry's concerns. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., kicked off the lineup of legislative speakers, and talked about the importance of boating not only to his home state but to the nation's economy as a whole. "I'm grateful for the strength and jobs you bring our country," Donnelly said. He also discussed the role boating can play in cutting through partisan politics, talk- ing about how a bipartisan group of senators will spend time on Sen. Joe Manchin's boat and "find common ground." "It's good to get away from the building," he said. "That's what your industry does for our country." Rep. Tom McArthur, R-N.J., said the boating industry is important for its role in creating American manufacturing jobs and that the industry should be sure to push its agenda in Congress and deliver that message. "You are building goods that are uniquely American," he said. "In the end, your business is about that." Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., sounded a similar note about the significance of the industry, but also noted the importance of protecting access and the sanctity of water- ways for boaters. "Our oceans are strained," he said. "If we don't take action, I don't see any of those trends are going to reverse themselves on their own." Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., told the audience he was going to be honest with the group, noting that there are serious chal- lenges facing the boating industry under the current administration. "Many of the programs boating cares about are likely to be decimated" in the ad- ministration's budget, he said. As small business owners, the industry needs to "think beyond the rhetoric of the moment" of getting government out of the way and pay attention to "serious threats" to the boating industry due to programs that are targeted for cuts by the Trump administration. "You need the Army Corps of Engineers here," he said. "You need environmental pro- tections. You need the Coast Guard." He also mentioned training programs aimed at training people for manufacturing jobs as a target for cuts. "This is a complete change in the direc- tion of government," he said. The audience also heard from U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Paul Thomas, who said that despite rumors of cuts, the Coast Guard is "very confident that our value proposition to the nation remains as strong as ever."

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