July 9, 2019

The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) will be awarding a “Best New Product Award” to a single manufacturer who introduces a new product at this year’s NMEA/RTCM Conference and Expo in Portsmouth, Virginia.

“In an effort to encourage manufacturers to unveil new products for the first time to the world and trade at the NMEA Conference and Expo, NMEA will be awarding a ‘Best New Product Award,’ ” said Mark Reedenauer, NMEA President and Executive Director.

“The NMEA membership wants to come to the conference to see new products before the larger fall boat shows begin. The smaller venue and technical crowd that NMEA attracts gives attendees and manufacturers more one-on-one time for demonstrations, without the hassle and crowd of end users at consumer boat shows. Additionally, dealers and installers will get a leg up on new product features before the fall shows begin,” Reedenauer added.

The only criteria for eligibility for the “Best New Product Award” is that the product is introduced for the first time at the NMEA Conference. Due to the sensitivity of product launches, all manufacturers need to do is notify NMEA that they will be entering a product into this category. The model name and specifications can be introduced when the expo opens at 1:30pm on September 17. NMEA will notify the independent judging panel, who will visit all entrants’ booths during the expo hours. The judging panel consists of five NMEA members, who will select the top products from those nominated by manufacturers for both the “Best New Product Award” and the “NMEA Technology Award.”

The separate “NMEA Technology Award,” which honors one marine electronics product that is rated best in innovation, benefit to boaters, practicality and value, will continue as it has done in past years. The same independent panel of judges will award both the “Best New Product Award” and the “NMEA Technology Award.”

Both of these awards, along with the NMEA “Product of Excellence Award” categories, will be presented at the NMEA Conference & Expo Awards Banquet on September 19.

NMEA member manufacturers must submit nominations for both the “Best New Product Award” and the “NMEA Technology Award” by September 5 through the NMEA expo website at www.expo.nmea.org. NMEA will be sending several reminders to all member manufacturers regarding this deadline. For more information, contact Mark Reedenauer at 410-975-9425, or email info@nmea.org.