NMMA cancels five 2022 boat shows

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has cited supply chain disruptions, historically low boat inventory and date availability as reasons for the postponement of five of its 2022 shows.

The Progressive Insurance shows in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Nashville and St Louis have been rescheduled to 2023. However, the association is launching a new boating event on Georgia’s Lake Lanier, outside Atlanta, this coming spring to complement the reboot of the 2023 Atlanta Boat Show.

It will also launch a Discover Boating showcase in Washington D.C. in May for policy makers and influencers, in tandem with the 2022 American Boating Congress (ABC). This will set the stage for a consumer-facing boating event in the spring of 2023, alongside ABC.

“Unprecedented market conditions are forcing event producers around the world to be more nimble than ever, all while providing an opportunity to connect with attendees in new, more relevant ways. The NMMA is no exception,” said association President Frank Hugelmeyer.

“These announcements come at a time when we’re experiencing extraordinary levels of consumer interest in boating and our shows amid product scarcity. Our robust 2022 line-up of nine boat shows and two new boating events will help the industry maintain its momentum and lay a foundation for the return of our postponed shows in 2023.”

The NMMA and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) will begin to incorporate Discover Boating across boat shows this winter.

This will lead to the integration of all NMMA events, and other industry events, under the Discover Boating umbrella in 2023. The full boat show integration will come on the heels of a new Discover Boating campaign launching this spring.