Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/459238
8 | Boating Industry | January 2015 LAUNCH Analysis, data, solutions, news and perspectives to move your business forward. www.BoatingIndustry.com BY BRIANNA LIESTMAN Margaret Podlich, president of BoatUS, was named the 2014 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year award winner at the Ma- rine Dealer Conference and Expo, held on November 16-19, 2014. Podlich is the 29th recipient of the award, which is presented annually to an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the marine industry. Podlich was named president of Boat US in 2011. She began her career in the marine industry with BoatUS in 1994 as the director for the former BoatUS Clean Water Trust and was promoted to vice president of government affairs in 2005. Prior to 1994, Podlich worked on boating issues from an environmental capacity, developing many of the fi rst clean marina and clean boating initiatives throughout the country. The award fl atters Podlich, particularly because of the Margaret Podlich of BoatUS named 2014 Darlene Briggs winner HOT SPOTS PWC growth continues to show its strength in Florida, with other coastal states following closely behind. Florida continues PWC growth momentum Personal watercraft are up 23.4 percent, continuing momentum as the hottest prod- uct in the marine fi le, according to SSI. Florida cities lead the pack with PWC sales, up 60.8 percent in Tampa-St. Peters- burg-Clearwater, 48.9 percent in Miami-Fort Lauderdale and 46.4 percent in Orlando. Not far behind are Los Angeles, up 42.3 percent, and Charlotte-Gastonia, up 33.1 percent. The strongest growth presence among inland states is in Detroit, up 21.7 percent, which is likely attributed to quick access to two of the fi ve Great Lakes. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL 48.9% Podlich has competed in a number of racing events with her Laser boat Los Angeles, CA 42.3% Houston, TX 18.6% Orlando, FL 46.4% Charlotte-Gastonia, NC 33.1% Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 60.8% New York, NY 21.3% Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX 1.0% Detroit, MI 21.7% Minneapolis, MN 8.1%