Shift needed amid stalled inclusion

by Zella Compton, Marine Industry News
Industry leaders at the Metstrade and the Yacht Racing Forum conferences are warning that boating’s traditional customer base is disappearing, and without meaningful progress on representation, inclusion and youth pathways, the sector risks losing an entire generation of participants.

The marine industry is facing an existential demographic crisis. Women, young people, and minority groups need to enter the ecosystem — as consumers, athletes, employees, and / or boat owners — and unless the industry chooses to reform its pathways, representation, and mindset, it risks losing its next generation entirely.

“Disrupt yourself or be disrupted,” Frank Hugelmeyer, president ICOMIA & CEO at National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) said in his address to Metstrade. “Our competition is all of the other industry sectors we are competing against. We all have to come together and understand how we are moving forward to meet the future. We need to be intensely consumer focused.” – Full report