The NMMA and Boating Writers International (BWI) announced this week the panel of judges set to evaluate product entries for the 2024 Discover Boating® Minneapolis Boat Show® Innovation Awards. Innovation Award winners will be announced Wednesday, January 17 during the boat show’s Sneak Peek Evening.
The Innovation Awards judges’ committee is comprised of BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine products and equipment. Judges for the 2024 Minneapolis Innovation Awards are:
Brady Kay (Chair): is the executive editor of Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine and has been at the helm of the publication for over 20 years. During his tenure, Brady has tested and reviewed countless pontoon and deck boats, traveled to all 50 states for feature profiles, and has taken thousands of photos. He also currently oversees Great Lakes Boating magazine, a sister publication at Harris Publishing, and is in his third year as the president of Boating Writers International.
Bill Gius: Gius has been in the marine industry for over three decades. He has worked in brand and product management at Pabst Brewing, Mercury Marine, Kohler Company, Turning Point Propellers and iboats.com. He owns “Country Consulting,” a marine industry consulting firm recently retired from working with Great Lakes Marine Marketing, a long-standing, Midwest manufacturers rep company. Gius is also a contributing writer to Pontoon & Deck Boat 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 Innovation Awards include five categories – Aluminum and Non-Fiberglass Fishing Boats, Fiberglass Fishing Boats, Pontoon Boats, Furnishings, and NEW for 2024, Electric Boats (20 ft. and under). All entrants and award winners will be on display during the Discover Boating Minneapolis Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive Insurance, (Jan. 18-21) throughout the show floor and along Innovation Way.
For more information on the awards, visit MinneapolisBoatShow.com/Innovation-Awards.
