The U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA), the country’s only non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting and protecting the valuable jobs supported by the superyacht industry, will once again join with other regional and national associations to co-host the American Boating Congress (ABC) with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). ABC is the marine industry’s premier legislative event and will take place May 9 - 11, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

“The superyacht industry is a $35.9 billion industry internationally, which supports more than 6,000 companies and roughly 260,000 high-paying skilled jobs around the world,” said USSA President Kitty McGowan. “As such an economic powerhouse, protecting and growing the superyacht industry is in everyone’s best interests and the USSA is proud to participate first-hand in the legislative process and act as the voice of the U.S. superyacht industry during the American Boating Congress.”

Comprising the largest contingency of members of any co-hosting association during the event, USSA has leveraged its strength to secure dozens of high-level meetings outside of the organized events to collaborate with House and Senate representatives, U.S. Coast Guard, Customs & Border Protection, U.S. State Department and others to further improve and streamline federal regulations that impact the entry and cruising of superyachts in the United States.

The USSA’s current Advocacy agenda within our established objectives are to:

• Increase the maximum gross tonnage of recreational vessels to be able to flag the U.S. to 500 gross tons;
   
• Work in coalition with other marine trade associations to facilitate and streamline the process for yacht crew to obtain the proper visas to work in the United States;
   
• Facilitate the access for U.S. recreational shipyards to MARAD grant funds to help support and revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding capacity;
   
• Promote the dredging of channels and waterways that facilitate the ability of superyachts to cruise our ports and shores;
   
• Assist regional associations with important superyacht objectives.

These efforts have resulted in raising the visibility of the importance of superyachts to the economy and jobs with key regulators and legislators. All of these agenda items are possible and within reach as long as the industry continues to work together. To that end, the USSA provides training and awareness presentations throughout the year during association meetings such as the Annual Meeting and the Superyacht Summit to both inform and prepare the membership to act in unison on these initiatives. The strength of each individual is strong but together is a powerful force. To be a part of the USSA’s advocacy efforts, please contact USSA President Kitty McGowan at 954-792-8666 or visit www.ussuperyacht.com.

The U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA) is a non-profit trade association incorporated in 2006, with the mission “To promote and support the U.S. Superyacht industry and its members worldwide through advocacy, marketing, and education.” For more information on the USSA and the 2018 American Boating Congress, visit ussuperyacht.com, call 800-208-5801 or email info@ussuperyacht.com. Like the USSA on Facebook at /USSuperyacht.