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The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and Asociación Náutica de Colombia (ANC) announced today they will produce the International Nautical Congress of Colombia, April 27-29, 2016, in Cartagena de Indias, to promote the country’s growing recreational boating industry.

Attendees of the Congress will participate in two days of networking and education to learn about opportunities in Colombia. The Congress will also feature keynote speakers and breakout sessions as well as a marina tour to give attendees a glimpse of some of the existing boating infrastructure and facilities. Topics to be covered throughout the Congress include “Why Colombia? Why Now?”, “A Drone’s View of Marina Development in Colombia”, and “Understanding the Needs of the Colombian Marine Market.”

“Colombia’s recreational boating industry has tremendous growth potential and is an emerging boating market for the global marine industry,” said Thom Dammrich, ICOMIA and NMMA president. “By attending the Congress, participating marine businesses can learn more about opportunities for recreational boating and the necessary steps to take to get involved.”

ANC joined ICOMIA as its 35th full-member in May 2015. The aim of the organisation is to enable growth and competitiveness in the Colombian marine industry; as well as to create and develop business opportunities and contribute to the strengthening of the nautical culture within the country, boosting activities such as marinas, yacht clubs, marinas, shipyards, distributors and dealers of boats, nautical tourism service providers, water sports, sailors, among others.

“For the national government of Colombia, growing recreational boating industry is a priority,” stated Antonella Farah, Executive Director of ANC. “The Vice President of the Republic of Colombia (German Vargas Lleras) has placed a high sense of commitment to recreational boating by, for the first time in 17 years, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for marina development and evaluating marine regulations.”

Early bird registration for the Congress opens this week. Marine industry association representatives, boat builders, accessory and component manufacturers, dock and marine equipment manufacturers, marina developers, yacht and charter brokers, investors, maritime attorneys and insurance representatives, and tourist agents are all encouraged to attend. Given recreational boating’s growth potential in Colombia, marine industry professionals from around the globe will want to save the date for the International Nautical Congress of Colombia.

For more information on the International Nautical Congress of Colombia and to register for the event, visit www.colombianautica.com. Marine industry professionals are encouraged to register now to reserve attendance. Payment for the Congress will be finalized with attendees after registration is confirmed.

To learn more about becoming an exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities, contact the NMMA at [email protected] or contact NMMA’s Julie Balzano directly at [email protected].

About NMMA: The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association for the North American recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in North America. 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. Learn more at www.nmma.org.

About ICOMIA: The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) was formed in 1966 to bring together in one global organization all the national boating federations and other bodies involved in the recreational marine industry, and to represent them at international level. Learn more at www.icomia.com.

About ASONÁUTICA: The Asociacion Nautica de Colombia was established on 10 February 2015 and is the first trade association to represent, promote and defend the interests of nautical tourism and the recreational boating industry of Colombia. ANC currently has 40 members located throughout Colombia and abroad and works closely to liaise and advocate with regional and national government on behalf of the industry.