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The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) announced today the panel of judges who will evaluate 77 product entries this year for the 2016 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show Innovation Awards, being presented during the show’s annual Industry Breakfast on February 11 at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin from 7:30-9:30am.

This year's Breakfast is by invitation only. Invitations are non-transferrable. If you would like to bring a guest, you are welcome to purchase them a ticket. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE.

Please note: The Rusty Pelican is inside the entrance of the show. You must have credentials (trade/media/exhibitor) to enter. Get your credentials and have them mailed to you, or held at registration onsite, to ensure access to the Breakfast and Show by CLICKING HERE. If you do not have your credentials in hand, you must use the main entrance, which is accessible by shuttle bus only, and get your credentials from registration before going to the Breakfast.

The Innovation Awards judges’ committee is comprised of eight BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine products and equipment. The committee is co-chaired by Zuzana Prochazka and Alan Wendt. 

Prochazka is a boating and travel journalist and photographer who has been in the marine industry for two decades. She regularly writes for a dozen magazines including SEA, SAIL, Bluewater Sailing and Southern Boating and covers chartering, destinations, boat reviews and technical articles. Zuzana serves as presenter at numerous international events, holds a USCG 100GT license and runs Zescapes, a sailing vacations tour operation.

Wendt is president of Boating Writers International and has served as a judge for more than 15 years.  He is a freelance writer for Lakeland Boating and Southern Boating magazines, consultant to retail boat dealers for customer outreach, and organizes customer group boating cruises throughout the US, Canada and the Bahamas.
The full panel of judges for this year’s Innovation Awards includes:

Frank Lanier: Frank Lanier is a SAMS-Accredited Marine Surveyor with over 35 years of experience in the marine and diving industry. He holds a 100GT masters license and has captained and maintained vessels ranging from dive boats to passenger ferries in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and South Pacific. An author and award-winning journalist, his articles on seamanship, marine equipment reviews and vessel maintenance appear regularly in numerous marine publications worldwide.

Marilyn Mower: Marilyn Mower has been a marine journalist for more than 30 years earning a reputation for expertise at explaining subjects as diverse as sail shape and technology, design trends and hybrid power for superyachts. A liveaboard-boat owner since 1989, she lives and breathes boat gear and maintenance. She has been editor of ShowBoats International, Southern Boating and the Marine Business Journal magazines and for more than five years has been the books editor for Boat International Media producing annual editions of The Superyachts, Megayachts: Concept, Design, Construction and Refit.

Lenny Rudow: Lenny Rudow is senior editor for Dominion Marine Media (operating the world's largest marine web portals including boats.com, Yachtworld, Boat Trader, and Cosas de Barcos), has been in the marine field for over two decades, and has authored seven books. He is also the electronics editor for BoatUS Magazine, and boating editor for Texas Fish & Game.

Lawrence Husick: Lawrence Husick is a patent attorney, entrepreneur, freelance writer for several boating publications, and life-long cruising sailor. He has worked with innovators in the marine industry as both counsel and consultant, and frequently speaks to audiences about new technologies afloat.

Nigel Calder: Nigel is best known for his Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual, and his Marine Diesel Engines, both of which are considered the definitive works in their field. In addition to hundreds of magazine articles, he has authored a ‘Cruising Guide to the Northwest Caribbean’, ‘Cuba: A Cruising Guide’, ‘Nigel Calder’s Cruising Handbook: a Compendium for Coastal and Offshore Sailors’ and ‘How to Read a Nautical Chart’. Nigel is currently the technical editor or associate editor of PassageMaker, Professional Boatbuilder, Sail, Ocean Navigator and Yachting Monthly magazines and a freelance consultant on marine energy issues.

Gary Reich: Gary Reich, a Chesapeake Bay-based freelance writer, editor, and photographer, has worked in the marine industry for more than 25 years, with the last 15 focused in marine publishing. His writing and photography are regularly published in periodicals such as Soundings, PassageMaker, Chesapeake Bay, and Lakeland Boating magazines, and online at boats.com and boattrader.com. He previously served as managing editor at Waterway Guide, editor at PropTalk magazine, and is currently an editor-at-large for Chesapeake Bay Magazine.

Innovation Awards recognize exceptionally innovative new consumer marine products, and will be on display throughout the show February 11-15 at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin and Miamarina at Bayside.
The Innovation Awards will be announced during the annual Industry Breakfast, this year being held at the Rusty Pelican restaurant within its Biscayne Ballroom. The Rusty Pelican is located within the Miami International Boat Show on the east end of the show site.

The annual Industry Breakfast is sponsored by BoatUS, Enterprise Florida and Dominion Media. The Industry Breakfast is by invitation only. Invitations are non-transferable. Those without an invitation can purchase tickets to the breakfast by clicking here.  For 27 years, the Innovation Awards have provided the industry with a credible platform for showcasing new products and demonstrating innovative design, technology and more. For questions about the Innovation Awards contact Rachel Timko at [email protected].

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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 BWI: BWI is a professional organization consisting of writers, editors, publishers, photographers, broadcasters, public relations specialists and others in the communications profession associated with the boating industry. Members include active marine journalists across the United States, Canada and beyond; associate members in public relations roles; and supporting members, such as marine manufacturers and service companies. Learn more at www.bwi.org.