MINNEAPOLIS – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas presented its 2012 Jerry Martin Journalism Award to Glenn Hughes, Vice President and Group Publisher of Bonnier Corp’s Marine Division, at the 2012 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo.
“As a former journalist myself, I very much appreciate the great lengths that Glenn has gone to in support of the marine industry,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “A publisher has multiple responsibilities to juggle on any given day, which makes us all that much more impressed that he has made his industry work such a high priority.”
Hughes was recognized as one of the greatest contributors of 2012 to boating advocacy journalism.
In just the last year, Hughes has led his company’s involvement in the Water Sports Foundation’s safe boating U.S. Coast Guard grant, which runs across ALL of its marine brands. He led the development of innovative webisodes, games, quizzes, and other content to increase consumer knowledge of boating safety, particularly in the area of boating under the influence, navigation rules of the road and the use of life jackets.
To demonstrate his commitment to the marine industry, he attended numerous industry events, including the International Water Safety Summit, the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, the American Boating Congress and the Industry Growth Summits. Earlier this year, Hughes became a member of the Grow Boating Board of Directors, and he orchestrated the effort for his company, Bonnier Corporation, to donate substantial advertising and media to promote dealer certification and other Grow Boating initiatives.
He is the past Chairman of the American Sportfishing Association’s Data and Statistics Committee, and a current member of its Government Affairs Committee. He also led the effort for Bonnier’s sponsorship of the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s Day on the Water at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and he is the chairman of the Boating Task Force for the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.
“I’d like to thank the MRAA for this prestigious award. I always appreciated the effort made by Jerry Martin to reach out across the industry, and I am honored to be associated with him,” says Hughes. “The marine industry is my passion, and I am very blessed to be working with great people and in an environment that promotes the boating lifestyle. I owe so much to so many for these past 25 years and can’t imagine spending my time doing anything else. If I’m not talking about boating, I’d like to think I’m on the water sharing the experience with others.”
This award was named in honor of Jerry Martin, a significant contributor to the MRAA and one of the biggest dealer advocates of his time in the industry. He led the MRAA’s famed shirt-sleeve sessions for many years, and he worked tirelessly to support marine dealers in every facet of the business. This award was renamed in his honor in 2007.
About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. MRAA is the united voice of marine retailers. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com.