Press Releases
ALEXANDRIA, VA (February 12, 2019) – Each year, 100,000 people head to Miami, Florida for the Progressive Miami International Boat Show, one of the biggest boat shows in the world, driving an economic impact greater than two Super Bowls combined ($854 million). Again this year, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) will sponsor the show’s Innovation Breakfast, featuring award presentations and remarks from industry leaders.
Following keynote remarks from National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) President Thom Dammrich, RBFF VP of Communications Stephanie Vatalaro will present on RBFF’s 60 in 60 goal and the key elements working in concert to help our industry reach that mark. Reports from both the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and RBFF show fishing participation is on the rise and females and youth are driving the increase. To capitalize on this, RBFF launched its Women Making Waves campaign in 2018, and is encouraging the entire industry to climb aboard.
“New anglers are more likely to be young and female, but this isn’t reflected in advertisements, media and equipment,” said Vatalaro. “It’s no wonder that fewer than 20% of women and girls think a fishing participant looks like them. We’re working to change that and are challenging the industry to do the same.”
Presented by RBFF, the Innovation Breakfast will take place on Friday, February 15 with doors opening at 7:30am and the program running from 8:00 to 9:30am. Following presentations centering around propelling the industry forward, Innovation Awards will be given to exceptionally innovative new consumer marine products.
To schedule a meeting with RBFF President & CEO Frank Peterson or Stephanie Vatalaro to learn more about what RBFF is doing to increase boating and fishing participation, including hosting an on-site meetup of social media influencers at the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show, please contact Bruna Carincotte (bcarincotte@rbff.org, 202-743-9894).
About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF's recently announced 60 in 60 effort strives to attract 60 million anglers to the sport by the end of 2021. To help recruit, retain and reactivate participants, RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns creating awareness about boating, fishing and conservation, and educating people about the benefits of participation. These campaigns help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org and VamosAPescar.org, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.
