The first installment of the 2002 Innovation Awards will be presented at the Miami International Boat Show, taking place February 14-19, 2002, at the Miami Convention Center. As many as eight companies may be recognised for innovative achievement in Miami for various boat and engine categories. The 2002 Innovation awards for aftermarket accessories and OEM equipment will be presented at MAATS and BoatBuilding 2002, respectively.

"More boats and engines are exhibited at the Miami International Boat Show than at any other venue in the country, and we felt that this was the right place to recognize the best of the 2002 boat and engine lines," says NMMA president Thom Dammrich.

Companies exhibiting at the Miami boat show can enter boats in six different categories: Fishing, Yachts, Performance, Cruising, Inflatables, PWCs.

Engines have been organised into two categories: Engines/Motors/Propulsion; Engines/Components and Systems.

While there are eight award categories, a winner in each is not guaranteed. "Each product has to show its innovative and technological merit, and if there are no entries in a specific product category that we feel are worthy of recognition, that category will not be recognised," says Michael Verdon, president of Boating Writers International (BWI). BWI writers (who will be announced later) will serve as the judges for the Miami Innovation Awards.

Products will be judged on the following criteria: innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; cost-effectiveness; production ready for 2002.

All products submitted for an Innovation Award will be posted on the Miami Boat Show website at www. Winners will receive further promotion through post-show publicity to both trade and consumer media.

Winners of the 2002 Innovation Awards will be announced at a special breakfast ceremony at 08:30 on Thursday, February 14.

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