NMTA’s Grow Boating Program serves the NMTA’s core purpose – to increase the number of boaters in the Northwest and to encourage year-round participation in recreational boating.
We are very proud of it. Since its inception in 2003, NMTA has invested over $2 million in the promotion of boating in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years we have sponsored a myriad of local boating events, produced the NW Salmon Derby Series for 18 years, given grants to a wide variety of boating-related non-profits (75 since 2014 alone!), invested in robust PR campaigns to get local reporters out on the water, run social media campaigns, boat giveaways and much more.
Funding for the program is generated through a $0.25 surcharge on rented square footage at the annual Seattle Boat Show. During the Covid years (2021-2023) that surcharge was put on hiatus. However, Grow Boating continued to operate with a reduced budget, thanks to funds held over from previous years and diligent budget management by NMTA staff and the Grow Boating committee.
We’re happy to announce that the Board unanimously voted to reinstate the surcharge beginning with the 2024 show, so we are restarting this important program and planning for 2025. We’re looking for members who are interested in helping us strategize the path forward.
The committee is open to all NMTA members. The next committee meeting is August 7 at 10 am. Members can attend in person at the NMTA office or on Zoom. If you are interested in attending the meeting or would like to know more, please contact Karsten McIntosh, karsten@nmta.net.
