Marine Industry CSI Announces 2009 Award Recipients

Customer Satisfaction Takes the Helm As Industry Ramps Up Service, Benefits for Boaters

CHICAGO – July 29, 2009 –The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today announced recipients of the 2009 Marine Industry CSI Awards. A total of 72 boat and engine manufacturers were recognized for excellence in customer satisfaction, as part of NMMA’s Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) program.

Award recipients will be acknowledged during the 2009 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), taking place October 12-14 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The Marine Industry CSI Awards program honors participating manufacturers that actively measure customer satisfaction and pursue continuous improvement to better serve the customer. Award recipients achieved and maintained an independently-measured standard of excellence of 90 percent or higher in customer satisfaction over the past year, based on information provided by customers purchasing a new boat or engine during the period between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009. Participating manufacturers must survey all new boat buyers during this period. For this reporting period, an impressive 60,000 customer responses were collected.

“As we work to strengthen our industry, customer satisfaction and retention will always be our foundation for growth,” said NMMA president Thom Dammrich. “This year’s Marine Industry CSI Award recipients are at the forefront of our industry’s growth potential and are helping ensure the experience of purchasing and owning a boat add value to the overall enjoyment of the boating lifestyle.”
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New ‘Houseboat Feature’ Set to Launch at 2009 Louisville Show
Special show section to highlight the latest in houseboat-related gear and equipment

Chicago, IL -
August 4, 2008 – The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is excited to announce a new houseboat-specific feature that will be unveiled at the 2009 Louisville Boat, RV & Sport Show, taking place January 24-February 1, 2009 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

The new houseboat section of the 52nd annual Louisville event will feature the latest and greatest in houseboats and related gear, equipment and services. The houseboat-only area will have its own set of hours and entrance, and will open the second weekend of the Louisville show, from Thursday, January 29 through Saturday, January 31.

Several of the industry’s leading houseboat manufacturers—including Fantasy Custom Yachts, Sumerset Houseboats & Cruisers, Stardust Cruisers and Thoroughbred Houseboats—have already committed to participating in the Louisville show’s special houseboat section.

“This special ‘houseboat extravaganza’ is a great addition to the Louisville show,” says Kim Muncy, manager of the Louisville Boat, RV and Sportshow. “Manufacturers couldn’t find a better location to showcase their newest products and services, as the popularity of houseboats on Kentucky lakes and with Louisville show attendees cannot be overstated. The show is an ideal place to unveil this type of unique display, and we expect the houseboat-only area to be wildly popular in 2009.”

For more information, visit LouisvilleBoatRVShow.com or contact Louisville show manager Kim Muncy at (502) 957-1666; kmuncy@nmma.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the United States. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.

FROM: NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
200 E. Randolph Dr., Suite 5100
Chicago, IL 60601-6528
312-946-6200

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Lindsey Johnson (ljohnson@nmma.org; 312-946-6204)

NMMA Announces 2008 CSI Award Recipients
Seventy-three boatbuilders, engine manufacturers receive awards

CHICAGO, July 14, 2008 - - The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today announced recipients of the annual 2008 Marine Industry CSI Awards. A total of 73 boat and engine manufacturers were recognized for excellence in customer satisfaction, as part of NMMA’s Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) program.

Award recipients will be formally acknowledged during the annual Industry Awards Breakfast at the 2008 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), taking place October 6-8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. (more…)

As boating industry experts, Discover Boating wants to know your favorite boating destinations in the U.S. Cast a vote for your favorite fishing, cruising, sailing and watersports spots around the country!

The winning cities will be posted on DiscoverBoating.com and incorporated into Discover Boating public relations efforts this summer.

Please encourage others to vote, too! But don’t wait; polls close Monday, June 30.

To vote for your favorite boating destinations, CLICK HERE.

The boating community and everyone involved in the boating industry, conservation, fishing, and outdoor recreation is facing a serious problem if Congress does not pass the Clean Boating Act of 2008 by September 30, 2008.

Please take 3 MINUTES of your day and visit www.BoatBlue.org to send a quick message to your Representatives and Senators urging them to support recreational boating and pass the Clean Boating Act of 2008. A sample letter is already drafted for you; all you have to do is add some information and click send!

Please forward this message to everyone you know. Encourage family, friends and colleagues to do the same. It only takes a few minutes, and their efforts (and yours!) will go a long way in helping protect and preserve our ability to get out on the water without the government on your back.

The Clean Boating Act would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from requiring every single boater to obtain a federal or state permit for everyday, overboard water discharges. If Congress doesn’t pass this legislation by September 30, boaters will face what is essentially a new tax on their boat, stiff penalties, criminal liability and lawsuits from individual citizens. EPA is forced to impose these new regulations in the wake of a court case pertaining to commercial ships that inadvertently swept up recreational boats. You can learn more at www.BoatBlue.org.

Let’s unite to pass this legislation BEFORE we lose our boating freedom! Please visit www.BoatBlue.org today; take just a few minutes to send a message to your Representatives and Senators. The more letters they receive, the stronger our voices will be heard!

Don’t forget: PASS IT ON!!!!!

Congratulations to Steve Lochmueller and Team Sumerset! Sumerset Houseboats has been recognized as the “Manufacturer of the Year” by Houseboating Adventures Magazine. The interview with Steve is truly enlightening and shares his positive vision for the future. Sumerset Houseboats is stronger than ever and looking forward to 2008!

Read the digital article, and the rest of the seventeenth issue, by visiting Houseboating Adventures Magazine on the web.

The National Weather Service (NWS), Marine & Coastal Weather Services Branch has invited “national weather service marine weather constituents” to attend a meeting on October 25 in Silver Spring, Maryland, from 8 am to 12 pm. The meeting is to help the agency understand the current and future needs of Marine Weather Service users and partners. NWS plans to briefly present its current suite of marine weather products and services. The meeting will also include an interactive discussion of how to make NWS marine products and services most useful for its marine users and partners for today and tomorrow. The meeting will be held in Room 4527 in SSMC3, 1325 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland. If you would like to attend this meeting please contact: Deborah Jones ( deborah.jones@noaa.gov; (301) 713-1677 ext. 124), or Wayne Weeks ( wayne.weeks@noaa.gov; (301) 713-1677 ext. 124).

Stephen E. Arnold comments on the challenges unusual company names such as Sumerset Houseboats pose to Web indexing services. Certain company names may trigger some changes in Google’s PageRank. For more information, read Stephen E. Arnold’s short discussion of this topic click here

The Coast Guard recently announced that it is seeking public comment on its newly developed National Recreational Boating Survey prior to seeking final approval from the Office of Management and Budget. NMMA supports this important endeavor that will provide the Coast Guard and the public with valuable information about the boating activities of Americans. To view the survey please go to http://www.dms.dot.gov and search for docket number 28578.

NMMA continues to focus on issues its members’ face in the transportation of boats and equipment. NMMA and its members have worked closely with key organizations, including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), to develop a proposal to amend the current U.S. and state rules for specialized boat carriers. This proposal would affect “legal loads” that can be moved without a permit. For more information on this proposal, please visit www.nmma.org.
NMMA would also like to thank Sumerset Houseboats for hosting the new chair of the CVSA Size and Weight Committee at their Kentucky plant this month to discuss the difficulties of moving a large permitted load through the states. Major Glynn Powers with the Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement received an education on the problems faced by boat manufacturers. To join the Transportation Task Force, or to begin receiving e-mail updates on the latest transportation news, please contact Cindy Squires ( csquires@nmma.org; 202-737-9766).