The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), a trade association representing the North American recreational boating industry, has relocated its headquarters to Washington D.C, as part of its ongoing expansion.

The NMMA’s previous headquarters were in Chicago. The association says Chicago will continue to serve as a strategic hub for several departments, including membership and market expansion.

While the NMMA has had a Washington, D.C. office for more than 40 years, it says its new headquarters offers a larger footprint for its growing government relations and public affairs teams as well as administrative and operations teams. The new offices are within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol and key government offices and administrative agencies.

NMMA has 1,300 member companies, supporting the $230 billion recreational boating industry in North America and the estimated 85 million Americans who go boating each year. NMMA powers the consumer-facing Discover Boating brand, which promotes the boat-buying and ownership experience.

“Following a comprehensive review of the association’s operations and the NMMA board of directors-led strategic plan, which includes a critical focus on advocacy, NMMA made this landmark move to align itself more closely with the government institutions and policymakers who shape the laws and regulations impacting the recreational marine industry,” says Bill Yeargin, chairman of the NMMA board of directors and chief executive of Correct Craft. “Establishing a firm footprint in Washington D.C. solidifies our commitment to working with government to promote the growth and sustainability of recreational boating in the U.S.”

Washington Channel, Washington, United States

Washington Channel, Washington

In addition to a larger footprint for the growing government relations, public affairs and administrative teams, NMMA says its new 6,000-square-foot D.C. headquarters features upgraded technology, meeting spaces, office suites for visiting members, and roof-top entertainment space for employees, members and partners.

In Chicago, the NMMA says the new office provides a ‘more strategic’ hub, supporting a flexible work environment and collaboration among key departments spanning membership, business intelligence, marketing and communications, certification, and consumer boat and industry trade shows.

“NMMA’s roots go back nearly 120 years, and our success on behalf of our members has come from continually evolving to best serve their changing and diverse needs, many of which are directly impacted by the decisions made in Washington, D.C.,” says Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA president, who is based in the D.C. office. “Our headquarters’ enhanced proximity to Capitol Hill strengthens our position to advocate for policies that foster innovation, support economic growth for members and ensures the continued enjoyment of recreational boating for millions of Americans, all while our new Chicago hub delivers an improved space for creativity and collaboration across our critical product safety, membership and market-expansion teams.”

The National Marine Manufacturers Association‘s new Washington D.C. headquarters is at 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 320 North, Washington, D.C. 20004. Its new Chicago hub is located at 10 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 3500, Chicago, IL 60603.

The post National Marine Manufacturers Association relocates US headquarters appeared first on Marine Industry News.