MBIA

What MBIA does

The Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA) is a non-profit 501(c)(6) trade association founded in 1958 to represent the recreational boating industry in Michigan. It serves 350+ member businesses spanning boat dealers, marina operators, marine retailers, boat and dock manufacturers, banks, insurance companies, and marine service companies, and provides consumer-facing resources through boatmichigan.org to Michigan's boating public (nearly 1 million registered boats in the state). Headquartered in Commerce Township, Michigan, MBIA operates with a lean staff of six and is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from its membership.

MBIA's product surface is a portfolio of programs rather than a single offering. Its largest revenue-generating assets are four boat shows — the Detroit Boat Show, Novi Boat Show, Metro Boat Show, and Great Lakes Boating Festival — plus the annual Recreational Boating Educational Conference (RBEC). Adjacent programs include the Michigan Clean Marina Program (co-administered with Michigan Sea Grant; 103 certified marinas), the Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation (RBIEF, $506,000+ in scholarships since 1986), the MBIA Political Action Committee, and a bundled set of member-benefit programs spanning health insurance (Gallagher, Aflac), commercial insurance (Hanover), payment processing (CardConnect/Fiserv), shipping (UPS), office supplies (Staples), email marketing (Constant Contact), and legal services (Maddin Hauser). Underlying technology is third-party association management software from YourMembership.com plus consumer/member websites (mbia.org, boatmichigan.org); no proprietary technology platform is built in-house.

MBIA's revenue model blends recurring membership dues, transaction-based boat show exhibitor fees and consumer attendance revenue, advertising and sponsorships across shows and newsletters (e.g., $200 per four e-newsletter editions, RBEC sponsorship starting at $500), and tax-deductible donations to the RBIEF. Pricing for membership is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, while boat show space is tiered with member discounts. The go-to-market is event- and membership-driven, supported by direct membership sales via regional directors, legislative advocacy through its Lansing lobbying partner (Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates), and multi-channel marketing including e-newsletters, social media, webinars, and PR.

Name

MBIA

Legal name

Michigan Boating Industries Association

Website

https://mbia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Michigan Boating Industries Association is a non-profit 501(c)(6) trade association representing 350+ Michigan marine businesses through boat show production, member benefit programs, workforce development, scholarships, and legislative advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Commerce

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from marine businesses including boat dealers, marina operators, marine retailers, boat and dock manufacturers, banks, insurance companies, and marine service companies. Membership pays for itself through various benefit programs.
2. Boat Show Production: Revenue from booth/space sales at the Detroit Boat Show, Novi Boat Show, Metro Boat Show, and Great Lakes Boating Festival. Members receive discounted rates.
3. Sponsorships and Advertising: Sponsorship opportunities across boat shows, e-newsletters, Marine Trade News newsletter, RBEC conference, regional meetings, and boatmichigan.org website.
4. RBIEF Donations and Scholarships: Tax-deductible donations to the Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation support scholarships and training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MBIA is a Michigan non-profit trade association that represents more than 350 marine businesses and produces four major annual boat shows (Detroit, Novi, Metro, Great Lakes Boating Festival). It delivers member-exclusive benefit programs (health insurance, payment processing, shipping, legal services), legislative advocacy at state and federal levels, workforce development initiatives, the Michigan Clean Marina certification program, and the RBIEF educational foundation.

Product overview

MBIA (Michigan Boating Industries Association) is a non-profit trade association representing over 350 marine businesses in Michigan. Rather than a single product, MBIA operates a portfolio of programs and services including: major boat show events (Detroit Boat Show, Novi Boat Show, Metro Boat Show, Great Lakes Boating Festival), the Michigan Clean Marina Program certification, the Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation (RBIEF) scholarship program, the annual Recreational Boating Educational Conference (RBEC), and a Political Action Committee. MBIA also offers members a bundle of commercial benefit programs including credit card processing, insurance, shipping, office supplies, and marketing tools. The association serves as the voice of recreational boating in Michigan, representing boat dealers, marina operators, marine retailers, manufacturers, and other marine businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Detroit Boat Show

Quantifiable outcome

• $506,117 in scholarships awarded since 1986
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Michigan Sea GrantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative effort between MBIA and Michigan Sea Grant to promote environmentally sound marina and boating practices through the Michigan Clean Marina Program. Financial assistance provided through Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program and NOAA.
• Muchmore Harrington Smalley & AssociatescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMBIA's lobbying firm in Lansing representing recreational boating interests at the state level and monitoring federal legislation in Washington D.C.
• Gallagher InsurancemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive group health and dental insurance program tailored specifically for marine-based member employers, offering lower premiums, comprehensive networks, and affordable prescription coverage.
• The Hanover Insurance CompanymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEndorsed insurance carrier offering exclusive commercial insurance products to MBIA members for marinas, boat dealers and yacht clubs with 5% package discount.
• CardConnect (Fiserv)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPayment processing solution for MBIA members offering savings of 10-40% on monthly processing fees with secure transaction processing.
• Constant ContactminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmail marketing discount program for MBIA members offering 20% discount for 6-month signup or 25% discount for annual signup.
• UPSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShipping discounts program offering members up to 50% savings on shipping through dedicated enrollment portal.
• StaplesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOffice supply partner offering discounted pricing, free next-day delivery on orders over $50, and online ordering through StaplesAdvantage.com.
• Michigan Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHR services, publications, savings programs, certificates of origin, business brokerage, and salary surveys available to MBIA members.
• Maddin HauserminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services benefit with free or discounted services from MBIA's legal counsel, including one free phone call or office visit per fiscal year.
• National Marine Manufacturers AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational trade association representing boat, marine engine and accessory manufacturers. MBIA works with NMMA on coalition basis for federal legislative issues.
• Marine Trades InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine technician training program in Cedarville, Michigan that MBIA has worked with to develop introductory certifications.
• Macomb Community CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college offering marine maintenance technician certification that MBIA has partnered with for workforce development.
• Michigan Department of Natural ResourcescoreOthersState agency overseeing Waterways Grant-in-Aid Program providing $4+ million annually for recreational boating infrastructure. MBIA advocates on behalf of industry for DNR policies.
• ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStandards development organization for marine industry. MBIA offers ABYC certification workshops as part of workforce development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Michigan Department of Natural Resources: State agency administering the Waterways Grant-in-Aid Program (over $4M annually to recreational boating infrastructure). MBIA advocates on behalf of the industry to the DNR, making the agency a closely related regional stakeholder/peer.
• Michigan Chamber of Commerce: Statewide business trade association providing HR services, publications, savings programs, and legislative advocacy to Michigan businesses. MBIA partners with the Michigan Chamber to extend member benefits, making it a directly comparable state-association peer.

Direct peers

• Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation: National non-profit focused on promoting recreational boating and fishing participation in the U.S., with marketing campaigns (Discover Boating) and R3 (Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation) initiatives. Comparable to MBIA in advancing recreational boating engagement and awareness.
• Marine Retailers Association of the Americas: Trade association serving marine dealers and retailers across North America. Highly comparable to MBIA in serving boat dealers and marine retailers with member benefits, advocacy, education, and industry data, but operating at a multi-state rather than single-state scope.
• Michigan Sea Grant: University-based program co-administering the Michigan Clean Marina Program with MBIA, focused on Great Lakes research, education, and outreach. Comparable peer given the joint program administration and shared marine industry focus in Michigan.
• National Marine Manufacturers Association: The national U.S. trade association for the recreational boating industry, covering boat, marine engine, and accessory manufacturers. MBIA explicitly partners with NMMA on federal legislative coalition work, making NMMA the most direct counterpart organization in scope and function at the national level.
• National Marine Trades Council: Coalition of state and regional marine trade associations. MBIA's Executive Director has served as Chair, making this a directly comparable peer organization representing marine trade associations at the national coordination level.
• Boat Owners Association of The United States: Member-based organization providing towing, insurance, and consumer services to recreational boat owners. Overlaps with MBIA in serving the boating community with membership benefits and advocacy, though BoatUS is consumer-facing rather than trade-facing.
• American Boat & Yacht Council: Standards development organization for the marine industry that delivers technician certification. MBIA offers ABYC certification workshops as part of its workforce development, making ABYC a directly comparable peer in marine industry training and standards.
• Association of Marina Industries: Trade association serving the marina industry with education, certification (Certified Marina Manager), and advocacy. Comparable to MBIA in serving marina operators and supporting marina-related programs such as the Clean Marina certification.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/boatmichigan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BoatMichigan
• Facebookfacebook.com/Michigan-Boating-Industries-Association-783879994962958
• Instagraminstagram.com/boatmichigan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michigan_boating_industries_association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MBIA