"New Jersey's Voice On The Water"

Who We Are

Established in 1972, the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to advancing, promoting and protecting the recreational marine industry and waterways in New Jersey. The MTA/NJ is dedicated to promoting the interests of the industry as a whole for the benefit of its individual members and the consumers whom they serve.

The MTA/NJ maintains a year round fully staffed office representing the interests of the industry and providing assistance and information to members, marine businesses and the boating public. The MTA/NJ staff is available daily to assist marine businesses and boaters with questions and to provide guidance in solving boating and marine-related problems.

The MTA/NJ has a proactive and aggressive approach to legislative issues, lobbying and governmental relations through its lobbyist from State House Strategies in Trenton. The MTA/NJ is very active in the movement, opposition and/or consideration of many pieces of legislation involving the recreational boating industry. The MTA/NJ meets frequently with legislators from all districts and state agencies to raise awareness and support of the recreational boating industry. The MTA/NJ fights for the rights of its members and recreational marine businesses helping them to grow and prosper in the State of NJ.

The MTA/NJ spends a significant amount of time and resources promoting the boating industry and member businesses to ensure that boating continues to grow. This is done through strategic advertising, marketing, promotions, special events and annual campaigns designed to get more people out on the water and into boating. The MTA/NJ also launched a new campaign, Go Boating NJ, to promote boating in New Jersey by sharing the excitement of boating and all that it has to offer, highlighting NJ’s most popular boating areas, destinations, activities and much more. Boaters can visit GoBoatingNJ.org or facebook.com/GoBoatingNJ for a wealth of boating resources, links, news, photos, videos and more. The MTA/NJ also works hard to communicate the economic importance of the boating industry. Recreational boating in New Jersey has a $2 billion annual economic impact and provides close to 13,000 jobs.

The MTA/NJ owns and produces two boat shows, the Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo held at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood in September and the New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo held at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison in February. The MTA/NJ is committed to making sure that there are affordable and successful local boat shows to support New Jersey’s marine retailers. These shows are the result of that commitment and will not only help dealers and members sell their products and services but will help to strengthen the Association and the entire industry. More information about these events can be found at JerseyBoatExpo.com. The MTA/NJ also proudly endorses the Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show held in March.

The MTA/NJ offers a variety of educational seminars and workshops designed to help marine business owners meet the challenges and opportunities facing their business and the industry. Additional membership benefits include discount exhibit space on area boat shows, office supplies, shipping, and car rentals. Membership also includes advertising opportunities in Association publications, networking opportunities, internet links and referrals from other MTA/NJ members.

The MTA/NJ is a strong advocate for clean boating practices, providing education and outreach on the importance of protecting our natural resources, and is a lead partner in the successful New Jersey Clean Marina Program and a partner in the New Jersey Clean Vessel Act Program.