Capitalizing on the high-powered politicians and others who will descend on the Charlotte area during the Democratic National Convention, the National Marine Manufacturers Association will meet in Lake Norman next week to raise awareness about how the recreational boating industry spurs economic development. During the invitation-only event from noon to 3 p.m. on Sept. 4, media, public officials and business leaders will take boating excursions and see project demos, an on-site fire boat and educational booths. The group represent boat, marine engine and accessory manufacturers. During the event, which will take place at the Peninsula Yacht Club, there will also be several manufacturer representatives and industry experts to discuss technological, environmental and safety advancements in the industry. In addition, the Carolina Show Ski Team will perform , said Lisa Hartsell with Charlotte Ski Boats, which is organizing the event’s entertainment. “It’s going to be a mix of old school and new school,” said Lee Levandowski, owner of Charlotte Ski Boats. “It will definitely be action-packed and patriotic.” The boating event and the delegate party at the Carolina Raptor Center were the only two major events that the Lake Norman area has secured during the DNC. “The goal is to expose our area to others who might not have seen it otherwise,” said Courtney Wolfrom, a spokeswoman for Visit Lake Norman, adding that the organization has recruited the boating association since October. “We’re thrilled to be able to showcase our area.” The National Marine Manufacturers Association is hosting a similar event during the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Levandowski said the boating industry hopes to use the election season as a platform to emphasize its impact on economic development. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, recreational boating generated $32.3 billion in sales and services in 2011, up 6 percent from 2010. Roughly 83 percent of recreational boats sold in the United States were manufactured in this country, said Lauren Dunn, public relations manager for the organization. In North Carolina, there are 204 marine manufacturers that employ 8,301 people. In 2011, state residents spent $626.7 million on recreational water craft and $661.8 on total trip spending. During that year, the recreational boating industry employed about 10,330 people. Levandowski said he hopes that the event will succeed in showing business leaders and government officials why the recreational boating industry is so vital to the national economy. “That way, if a law is ever tried to be passed that is kind of anti-boating, they’ll understand how important it is and hopefully they won’t pass anything that would have a negative impact on us.”
<Southern Homes of the Carolinas
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