Boating Industry Association

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The Boating Industry Association (BIA) was the predecessor to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). A non-profit trade association, the BIA represented a variety of interests through subsidiary organizations such as the Outboard Motor Manufacturers Association, Outboard Boat Manufacturers Association, and the Boat Owners Council of America. The BIA was originally organized as the Outboard Boating Club of America (OBC); when the OBC grew into an assembly of industry and owner groups it was reorganized in the fall of 1964 to better represent these interests (see "A Pictorial History of Outboard Motors"). The subsidiary organizations similarly were reorganized, for example the Outboard Boat Manufacturers Association was rolled into the Boat Manufacturers Association (BMA)

Part of the BIA's mission was to produce informational materials and standards guides for its members. One example is the "BIA Engineering Manual of Recommended Practices for Pleasure Boats, Boat Trailers & Marine Products" published in 1966. This publication specified standards of construction in order to ensure product reliability, performance, and safety.

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