NMEA 2000 GOES ‘LIVE’ AT THE TORONTO BOAT SHOW

Connectfest

ConnectFest to demonstrate benefits of onboard networking standard

 

Visitors to the Toronto International Boat Show will get a close-up look at a “live” demonstration that shows how the onboard networking standard NMEA 2000® operates. Attendees will be able to participate in the free event, called ConnectFest, anytime during the nine-day show. Doors open at 10 a.m. on January 10 at Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place.

 

The action at ConnectFest will involve most major manufacturers connecting their NMEA-certified products to the NMEA 2000 backbone, demonstrating device interoperability on the plug-and-play network. Products will come from Raymarine, Simrad, Lowrance, Furuno, Garmin, Humminbird, Airmar, Maretron, and Actisense, to name a few manufacturers participating.

 

The NMEA 2000 network is nonproprietary and enables connection and disconnection of products from different manufacturers with no downtime on the network. An industry-wide group of experts organized by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) developed the network standard.

 

Visitors will be able to talk with the manufacturers who have built products using the NMEA 2000 protocol. A hands-on opportunity with the NMEA 2000 cable and connector system will illustrate the advantages of the lightweight, quickly installed network and show how systems can be expanded for future needs. ConnectFest will be located at Booth G138.

 

“For anyone who wants to know more about NMEA 2000 and how it benefits them, the Toronto Boat Show is the place to be. 

We invite you to stop by our booth anytime,” said NMEA Managing Director Mark Reedenauer.

 

For more information, visit www.torontoboatshow.com/education/connectfest/.

 

Photo caption: ConnectFest draws a crowd at the 2014 METS trade show in Amsterdam.

 

Related Posts




Recreational Marine Industry Applauds Removal of the Luxury Tax on Boats in Budget 2025

NMMA Canada

OTTAWA (November 4, 2025)—Canada’s boating industry applauds Budget 2025’s commitment to remove the devastating luxury tax on boats, a failed tax policy that unfairly punished Canadian manufacturers and workers. When the luxury tax was first implemented in September 2022, Canada’s marine industry leaders were quick to point out the impending losses of middle-class jobs, government tax revenues and sales declines.

Read More




Need to Catch up on News This Week?

Every Tuesday we publish a fresh Digest with informative articles pertaining to the Canadian boating and marine industry. Stay up to date with the latest products, research and industry developments.

Missed an Issue of Boating Industry Canada News Week? If you’re looking for a specific issue, or simply want to catch up on previous issues, check out our Boating Industry Canada News Week Archives.

Not signed up for News Week? Subscribe here.



Introducing the All-New Axopar 38 

Axopar pioneers once again to set new standards, with the Axopar 38 range marking a new era in adventure boating. The first model of the range debuted at Boot Düsseldorf 2026 with the world premiere of the Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin, to be followed by the Axopar 38 Sun Top and Cross Top launching later this year.

Read More



Simrad Marine Electronics Debuts New NSO® 4

As Simrad Marine Electronics marks its 80th anniversary, the brand celebrates eight decades of innovation with the launch of NSO® 4 – the next chapter in marine navigation. Built on the revolutionary NEON™ operating system (OS) and designed to be the world’s most intuitive chartplotter, NSO 4 is the latest premium chartplotter and fishfinder in the Simrad® portfolio, delivering an unmatched combination of effortless control, lightning-fast performance, and sleek design, setting a new standard for offshore navigation.

Read More