NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc.

03/11/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/10/2026 23:20

Register Now for the 2026 American Boating Congress: Early Bird Deadline April 11

Registration is now open for the 2026 American Boating Congress (ABC), the recreational boating industry's premier advocacy event, taking place May 4-6 in Washington, D.C. NMMA members are encouraged to register today and secure the early bird rate before the April 11 deadline.

ABC brings together leaders from across the recreational marine industry to meet directly with members of Congress and federal agencies about the policies shaping boating's future. With key decisions being made in Washington, D.C., the event provides an important opportunity for industry leaders to share firsthand how federal policies impact their businesses, employees, and customers.
The timing of this year's event comes as new federal data highlight the strength of the outdoor recreation economy. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) recently reported that the outdoor recreation industry generated a record $1.3 trillion in economic output in 2024, supporting 5.2 million jobs and accounting for 2.4 percent of U.S. GDP.
Within that economy, recreational boating and fishing remain the single largest contributor, generating $38.4 billion in economic output. The data underscore the industry's importance to communities and small businesses across the country.
Recreational boating alone generates $230 billion in annual economic impact and supports more than 812,000 U.S. jobs across 36,000 businesses. The industry is also uniquely domestic-95 percent of boats sold in the United States are built in the United States, and 93 percent of boat builders are small businesses.
Over three days at ABC, attendees will participate in policy briefings, panel discussions, and meetings with lawmakers focused on the issues shaping the future of recreational boating, including:
  • Boater Access and Infrastructure: Federal policies affecting waterways, including the Water Resources Development Act and the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.
  • Trade and Tariffs: The evolving trade environment, including USMCA discussions and the latest tariff developments affecting marine manufacturers.
  • Regulatory Issues: Federal regulatory matters impacting the industry, including TSCA, OSHA's proposed heat standard, and NOAA's vessel speed rule.
  • State Government Relations: Legislative developments from statehouses across the country and what they mean for boating access and business operations.
ABC provides a critical opportunity for industry leaders to engage directly with policymakers and ensure the voice of recreational boating is heard on Capitol Hill.
Register today to attend ABC 2026 and secure the early bird rate before the April 11 deadline.
For questions about registration or the event, please contact Erica Crocker, Senior Director of Political Advocacy & Engagement, at [email protected].
NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc. published this content on March 11, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 11, 2026 at 05:20 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]