NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc.
09/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/28/2026 07:55
NASBLA Conference Highlights Boater Education, Industry Engagement
On Sept. 15-17, the NMMA joined boating law leaders from across the country for the 67th Annual National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Conference in Knoxville. As the conference's Presenting Sponsor, NMMA reinforced the recreational boating industry's commitment to advancing safety, boater education and protecting access to public waterways.
This year's conference drew the largest attendance in recent years, with more than 150 additional attendees compared with last year. The annual conference provides an important opportunity for NMMA to engage directly with state boating law administrators and other leaders responsible for boating safety, education and enforcement across the country.
A key conference highlight was the introduction of the PWC Ride Aware safety & education campaign, which focuses on promoting responsible personal watercraft operation and strengthening safety awareness among riders. The campaign reflects the industry's broader commitment to giving PWC riders and boat operators the information and tools they need to safely and responsibly enjoy the water.
NMMA also helped bring boating safety leaders closer to the industry through a tour of MasterCraft's manufacturing facility in Vonore, Tennessee. Capt. Adam Block, Minnesota's boating law administrator, and Capt. Jon Paurus, Minnesota's boating education coordinator, participated in a beginning-to-end walkthrough of the boat production process, followed by an on-water wakesurfing demonstration. These firsthand experiences helped advance important conversations about wake boats and wakesurfing education.
As states continue to consider policies affecting recreational boating, strong partnerships between the industry and boating safety officials are increasingly important. NMMA will continue working with NASBLA to advance practical, education-based approaches that promote safe and responsible boating while preserving opportunities for families and communities to enjoy the water.
For more information, please contact Ben Murray, NMMA's Director of State Government Relations, at [email protected].
NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc. published this content on September 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 28, 2026 at 13:55 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]