(Aug. 23, 2006 - Kennesaw, GA.,) Yamaha Marine Group has promoted two key employees in its Marketing Division. The company has named Jerreth Bain Senior Coordinator of Freshwater Promotions. Todd Grondzki is promoted to Senior Coordinator of Events and Retail Promotions.

(Aug. 21, 2006 - Sidney,NE) For the second year running, Cabela's has garnered national praise in the form of Field & Stream's Best of the Best Award, this time for the company's popular SLA Fly Reel. In 2005, Cabela's Extreme Hunter Frame Pack was named Best of the Best in the hunting pack category.

(Aug. 18, 2006 - Overland Park, KS) Bushnell Outdoor Products, a leading manufacturer of sports optics and outdoor technology, continues to collect industry awards for its 2006 product line. The new Elite 1500 with Angle Range Compensation (ARC) is the latest product to be recognized for its innovation, technology and consumer value.

(Aug. 18, 2006 - Chicago, IL) Wholesale unit sales for the traditional powerboat segment (outboard, sterndrive and inboard boats) were down 5 percent for the period between January and April 2006, compared to figures from the same reporting period one year ago, according to the April Monthly Shipment Report (MSR) released by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Corresponding factory dollars also declined, down 2 percent from the January through April 2005 totals.

(Aug. 16, 2006 - Kilgore, TX) Skeeter Boats, the leader in bass boat innovation since 1948, recently received Field & Stream magazine's 2006 "Best of the Best" award in the boating category for its 20i, a revolutionary new boat that is part of the company's i-Class Series.

(Aug. 14, 2006 - Kilgore, Texas) One of the nation's leading marine dealer networks will converge at Chateau on the Lake Resort in Branson, Missouri, August 20-22 for Skeeter Boats' annual dealer meeting, getting an advance look at Skeeter's new models for 2007, including its much anticipated ZX225 bass boat.

(Aug. 10, 2006 - MISSOULA, MT.) At its recent annual conference in Lake Charles, La., the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), The Voice of the Outdoors, announced the recipients of its annual awards: the J. Hammond Brown Memorial Award, the Excellence in Craft Award, the Jade of Chiefs award, the Jackie Pfeiffer Memorial Award and the Outstanding Board Member Award.

(Aug. 07, 2006 - Sidney,NE) Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter and a leading ATV/UV accessory retailer, will now offer, at select retail stores, Kawasaki ATVs and Mule Utility Vehicles. The two companies recently entered into an agreement making a number of Cabela’s destination retail showrooms officially licensed Kawasaki dealerships.

(Aug. 04, 2006 - Chicago, IL) Marine Certification Inc. (MCI), the governing body for the Marine Industry Dealership Certification program, held its first Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, July 13 at the Sheraton Gateway Suites in Rosemont, Illinois.

(Aug. 01, 2006 - CHICAGO, IL) Master Marine Trailers of Tullahoma, Tennessee, recently became certified under the National Marine Manufacturers Association's (NMMA) Trailer Certification program. The company joins a growing list of 28 additional NMMA member trailer manufacturers now certified under the NMMA Trailer Certification program.

(Jul. 29, 2006 - Dania Beach, FL., U.S.A.) The International Game Fish Association has announced the election of Robert E. Rich Jr. to the position of vice chair of its board of trustees. He will replace John (Jack) W. Anderson II who has served as vice chairman/vice president since June of 1986.

(Jul. 31, 2006 - Alexandria, VA) The FishAmerica Gulf Fund is the 2006 recipient of a $5,000 conservation grant from Johnson Outdoors in honor of the inaugural Samuel C. Johnson Fishing Journalist of the Year award. The award was presented to Jerry Gibbs during ICAST 2006, the sportfishing industry’s trade show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, July 19-20, produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). 

(Jul. 28, 2006 - Kennesaw, GA.,) Ken Tucker, Athens, Mich., has joined Yamaha Marine Group as a district marketing manager, according to John Rigsby, national sales manager.

(Jul. 26, 2006 - Missoula, MT) Chris Madson of Cheyenne, Wyo., has been named the 2006 recipient of the coveted Excellence in Craft Award by the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). The award is given annually to an OWAA member for outstanding effort in upholding the OWAA Creed and continued excellence in craft.

(Jul. 24, 2006 - Paramount, CA) Malibu Kayaks today announced the hiring of Kendal “Ken” Larson to fill the newly created position of vice president of sales. In that position, Larson will be responsible for all aspects of domestic and international sales, to include marketing functions, for Malibu Kayaks, Inc.

(Jul. 24, 2006 - Missoula, MT) The Outdoor Writers association of America (OWAA) at its 79th annual meeting in Lake Charles, La., elected Jim Low, Jefferson City, Mo.,  as president of the association for 2006-2007.

(Jul. 20, 2006 - LasVegas, NV) ICAST 2006 (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) saw the official launch of the Anglers' Legacy program with dozens of leaders in the sportfishing industry lending their support to this innovative program designed to increase fishing participation by asking avid anglers to commit to teaching someone to fish.

(Jul. 21, 2006 - Chicago, IL) The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) recently honored several manufacturers who participated in the NMMA statistics program during 2005 for their timely and accurate reporting of company sales statistics.

(Jul. 21, 2006 - LasVegas, NV) Five marine aftermarket products were honored last night for innovative achievement by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) at the 6th annual Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS) in Las Vegas.

(Jul. 20, 2006 - LasVegas, NV) The American Sportfishing Association and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation teamed up to recognize two well-known names in the sportfishing industry - Shakespeare and Cabela's - for their leadership in encouraging people, particularly children and families, to get out on the water and go fishing.

(Jul. 12, 2006 - Chicago, IL) KeyBank, N.A. recently became a Silver-Level contributor to the Grow Boating Initiative's Rising Tide Fund with a one-time $25,000 donation.

(Jul. 12, 2006 - Chicago, IL) The National Marine Manufacturers Association's Accessory Manufacturers Division (AMD) Board of Directors recently appointed John Clarke of Moeller Marine Products as the new Planning Committee chairman for the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS).

(Jul. 11, 2006 - Ida Grove, IA) Lund Boats, the leading manufacturer of premium aluminum fishing boats, will be offering ShoreLand'r trailers as standard equipment on 2007 model year boats.  Lund customers will be able to choose from a standard or upgrade model ShoreLand'r trailer in either roller or bunk support.

(Jul. 10, 2006 - Kennesaw, GA.,) Dwight Bryan of Sacramento, Calif., has joined Yamaha Marine Group as a district marketing manager, according to John Rigsby, national sales manager.

(Jul. 07, 2006 - DANIA BEACH, FL., U.S.A.) Five men will be inducted into the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame, this fall. The class of 2006 includes John W. Anderson II, Charles Alma Baker, Bill Dance, Hidenori Onishi and Milton C. Shedd.

(Jul. 05, 2006 - Mt. Pleasant, SC) Prospec Electronics took its first step into the boating industry with the introduction of SeaWorthy marine audio products in 1986. Twenty years later, the company continues to provide the latest audio technology in a dedicated marine product line under a number of well-known brands.

(Jul. 02, 2006 - Lafayette, LA) Falcon Lures has been issued a patent (Patent 7,036,266) for the popular Bait-Jerker Hook® series weighted shank fish hook. This patent will be protected and enforced by Falcon Lures. Additional patents are still pending.

(Jun. 29, 2006 - Kennesaw, GA.,) Yamaha Marine Group has awarded four $3,000 scholarships to outstanding students of Yamaha Outboard dealers and their employees as part of the company’s 2006 Dealership Scholarship Program.

(Jun. 28, 2006 - Benton, Ky.) Team Folgers pro Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, S.C., proved that his precipitous rise in the ranking since joining the Wal-Mart FLW Tour six years ago is no fluke by winning the coveted Land O'Lakes Angler of the Year title at the tour's final qualifier, presented by Kellogg's, on Lake Champlain in upstate New York last week.

(Jun. 27, 2006 - Chicago, IL) The Marine Industry Dealership Certification program will begin its fall Launch Workshop schedule in August. Already, several local and state Marine Trade Associations (MTAs) have requested Workshops be held in their area for MTA members and local dealers.

(Jun. 23, 2006 - Chicago, IL) The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) recently learned it has received a 2006 Silver Telly Award-the highest honor of its kind-for its television commercial entitled "Captain," which promoted NMMA boat shows and ran in several markets across the country, including San Diego, Atlanta, Atlantic City, New York and New Orleans.

(Jun. 22, 2006 - Kennesaw, GA.,) Yamaha Marine Group announced today its affiliate, Yamaha Marine Ltd. of Japan, has acquired 30 acres (118,000 square meters) in Niike, Fukuroi City as the site for a new production facility. The move is part of an overall initiative to improve quality and customer satisfaction by optimizing the production process for marine outboards.

(Jun. 15, 2006 - Chicago, IL) The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is currently accepting nominations for the 23rd Annual Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award. The award, which is sponsored by NMMA's Accessory Manufacturers Division (AMD) Board of Directors, honors the memory of Freedman, a former NMMA Shows Committee chairman and active association member who helped found the association in 1979.

(Jun. 15, 2006 - Alexandria, VA) Building on the concept of cooperative conservation and an obligation to be good stewards of the environment, today, President George Bush endorsed the importance of sportfishing saying that he expects the government to protect the fisheries to ensure good fishing and that “it’s in the nation’s interest that we have a robust recreational fishing industry.”

(Jun. 14, 2006 - Kennesaw, GA.,) For Yamaha Marine Dealers, it's almost back-to-school time, and Yamaha University (YU) has prepared a number of changes and improvements for its programs this year.

(Jun. 02, 2006 - FORT PIERCE, FL.) The new Cobia Boats facility in Marion, N.C., was the star of the recent annual Cobia dealer meeting as community boosters welcomed the company and dealers with traditional Southern hospitality that included a big barbeque.

(May. 24, 2006 - Chicago, IL) Despite rising gas prices, 94 percent of American boaters say they will be out on the water this summer as usual, according to a recent study conducted by the Recreational Marine Research Center (RMRC), National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and West Marine.

(May. 22, 2006 - Chicago, IL) More than 3,000 boats have been purchased by consumers exposed to the Discover Boating & Take Me Fishing Tour since its wheels first pounded the pavement three years ago. These boat purchases made from May 2003 through February 2006 translate into approximately $25 million in new boat sales and $15 million in pre-owned sales, based on the average price of each as calculated by the tour's title sponsor and organizer, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

(May. 18, 2006 - Alexandria, VA) The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) applauds the action of the House Resources Committee which voted yesterday to send H.R. 5018, the American Fisheries Management and Marine Life Protection Act, to the full House.

(May. 16, 2006 - Chicago, IL) The Grow Boating Board of Directors recently elected officers to serve for its 2006-2007 term. Election results were announced during the first official Grow Boating Board of Directors meeting, which took place Thursday, May 11, in Atlanta.

(May. 16, 2006 - KENNESAW, GA.,) Effective July 1, District Marketing Manager Toby Wadman of Elkton, Md., will be promoted to Western Regional Manager for Yamaha Marine, according to John Rigsby, National Sales Manager. Wadman will be responsible for overseeing all dealer sales for the Western Region of the U.S.

(Apr. 28, 2006 - ) Two GE business units, GE's Commercial Distribution Finance and GE's Retail Sales Finance divisions, recently became Double Platinum-Level contributors to the Grow Boating Initiative's Rising Tide Fund with a $150,000 combined donation-$50,000 a year over a three-year period.

(Apr. 25, 2006 - Kennesaw, GA.,) Robert Gahler and Brian Rogers have joined the Yamaha Marine Field Service Department as Regional Technical Advisors.            

(Apr. 19, 2006 - Minneapolis) FLW Outdoors announced today that Lowrance, a world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of high-quality marine electronics - encompassing sportfishing sonar and Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping instruments - has enhanced its sponsorship to include full participation in FLW Outdoors' new striped bass circuit, set to debut this summer, as well as increasing its support of The Bass Federation, Inc. (TBF).

(Apr. 19, 2006 - Kennesaw, GA.,) Yamaha Marine Group’s OEM Division opened its annual OEM Conference today in Atlanta, hosting its boat builder partners for two days of seminars, training and a look at products and accessories for the coming boating season.

(Apr. 12, 2006 - Rogers, Ark.) In an effort to promote conservation among the fisheries that host its professional bass tournaments, FLW Outdoors has donated more than $7,000 to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation.

(Apr. 10, 2006 - ) Simrad Yachting is pleased to announce the appointment of Yngve Nygaard as new Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, effective from the 3rd April 2006.

(Apr. 07, 2006 - Alexandria, VA) Due to the efforts of thousands of anglers and the sportfishing industry, there will be a 2006 California Pacific Ocean salmon season. In a near unanimous vote by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) on April 6, 2006, this year's sportfishing salmon season will be similar to that of 2005. The California season will run from May 1 through November 12.

(Apr. 03, 2006 - Chicago, IL) Bank of America recently became a Gold-Level contributor to the Grow Boating Initiative's Rising Tide Fund with a $30,000 donation-$10,000 a year over a three-year period.

(Mar. 31, 2006 - Minnetonka, MN) Minnetonka-based Normark Corporation, member of the Rapala VMC Group, announced that the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) will recognize Rapala on being 1st place in the Lure category and Storm for being 2nd place in the Lure category at the Third Annual World Record Achievement Awards Ceremony.