Judges Announced for Minneapolis Boat Show Innovation Awards

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) announced today the panel of judges set to evaluate product entries for the third annual Progressive® Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show® Innovation Awards. 2020 Innovation Award winners will be announced Wednesday, January 22 during the boat show’s “Sneak Peek” evening. The deadline for entry into the 2020 Innovation Awards is Friday, December 20.

The Innovation Awards judges’ committee is comprised of three BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine products and equipment. The judges’ committee is chaired by Brady Kay. Judges for the 2020 Minneapolis Boat Show Innovation Awards are:  

• Brady Kay (Chair): As the executive editor of Pontoon & Deck Boat and Great Lakes Boating magazines, Kay has been writing and photographing all types of boats for nearly 20 years. He is currently on the Boating Writers International board of directors as well as a member of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. Kay has earned writing and photography awards from Apex Awards for Publication Excellence as well as BWI.
• Bill Gius: Gius has been in the marine industry for over three decades. He has worked in marketing at Pabst Brewing, Mercury Marine, Kohler Company, Turning Point Propellers and iboats.com. He owns “Country Consulting,” a marine industry consulting firm and works with Great Lakes Marine Marketing, a long-standing, Midwest manufacturers rep company. Gius is also a contributing writer to Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine and Great Lakes Boating magazine. 
• Adam Quandt: Managing Editor of Boating Industry, Quandt tackles everything from testing and reviewing new products, to tracking industry trends and serving on the board for numerous industry-focused award programs. Though not necessarily born into the boating world like many others, Quandt has quickly developed a passion for the industry and strives to continue bringing boaters together as we move forward into the future.
  
  
  

The Innovation Awards are one of the industry’s most prestigious honors, recognizing manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market. The Minneapolis Boat Show Innovation Awards include three categories – aluminum fishing boats, fiberglass boats and pontoon boats. All nominees and award winners will be on display through the duration of the Minneapolis Boat Show (Jan. 23 – 26) at the Minneapolis Convention Center. A full list of rules and regulations for entry can be found at www.MinneapolisBoatShow.com/Innovation-Awards.

For more information on the awards and how to enter, visit MinneapolisBoatShow.com/Innovation-Awards. For general questions please contact Melissa Taylor, mtaylor@nmma.og.