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Critical RBFF Boat Registration Marketing Program Continues to Get Boats Back on the Water
2015 Program Reels in $1.6 Million for State Agencies and Conservation
Boat Registration Marketing Program graphic
RBFF's Boat Registration Marketing Program draws boaters back to the water

ALEXANDRIA, VA (September 10, 2015) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today announced that its Boat Registration Marketing Program continues to get lapsed boaters back on the water. Through the 2015 program, over 44,000 boat owners were drawn to re-register their boats, leading to $1.6 million in revenue for state agencies.

“Not only does this program lead to more revenue for state agencies, further assisting with conservation efforts, it leads directly to more boaters on the water,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “There is no reason why this incredibly valuable and successful program should not be implemented throughout the country to help even more lapsed boaters rediscover the joys of being on the water.”

In all, twenty states participated in the fourth year of the Boat Registration Marketing Program, with more than 522,000 direct mail pieces delivered to owners of lapsed boats. The Boat Registration Marketing Program achieved a strong response rate of 8.9%, well above the U.S. average 4.4% response rate for print direct mail, according to the Direct Marketing Association.

Throughout the four-year history of the nationwide program, over 168,600 boats have been re-registered. This leads directly to $6.06 million in additional revenue for partnering states and more boaters enjoying our nation’s waterways. RBFF is seeking to expand the program to new partner states to draw even more boaters back into their boats and onto the water.

In addition to the State Marketing Programs, RBFF drives consumers to the license and registration pages on state agency websites. Last year, TakeMeFishing.org drove over 1 million referrals to state boat registration and fishing license pages and to DiscoverBoating.com for additional boating resources. So far this year, referrals to DiscoverBoating.com are up 466.

 

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 developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ campaign to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing helps boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign website, TakeMeFishing.org, and its new Spanish-language counterpart, 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.

For further information: Stephanie Vatalaro, 703-778-5156, svatalaro@rbff.org

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