NMMA to Sell Toronto International Boat Show

March 9, 2010:  CHICAGO, IL - - The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today announced the completion of an agreement to sell the Toronto International Boat Show to Canadian Boat Shows, Inc. The sale is expected to be finalized on March 31, 2010.

On the heels of its recent acquisition of the New England Boat Show in January, the sale of the Toronto International Boat Show comes as the NMMA continues to reposition its boat show portfolio. The repositioning is part of a larger long-term strategy, enabling the association to continue to best serve the industry’s advocacy, marketing, and research and statistics needs while producing quality boat shows in key markets throughout the United States.

“Selling the Toronto show is a strategic decision that allows us to expand our reach in other markets and better position NMMA to best serve the industry for the long term,” notes NMMA president Thom Dammrich. “There are a lot of opportunities for NMMA and the recreational boating industry as the economy rebounds and we make changes to better align with shifts in the economic climate.”

Canadian Boat Shows, Inc. will be led by Linda Waddell, NMMA’s vice president of Northern shows. Waddell will remain with NMMA until the transaction is finalized. The majority of NMMA’s Canadian boat show staff will join Waddell at Canadian Boat Shows, Inc. Specific terms of the sale are undisclosed.

Adds Dammrich, “Toronto is a strong market and with Linda Waddell remaining at the helm of the show, we are confident it will be in excellent hands and continue to offer incredible value for the industry.”

NMMA will maintain its presence in Canada, to serve the needs of marine manufacturers doing business in Canada, with its team dedicated to government relations, member communications, research and statistics and the Canadian Discover Boating campaign. The Canadian team is led by Sara Anghel, Vice President for NMMA Canada. NMMA Canada will remain in its Ontario headquarters at 14 McEwan Drive, Suite 8, Bolton, ON, L7E 1H1. Anghel can be reached at sanghel@nmma.org.

About the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA): NMMA is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S.. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.