10/13/2006 FROM: NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION 200 E. Randolph Dr., Suite 5100 Chicago, IL 60601-6528 312-946-6200 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lindsey Savin lsavin@nmma.org 312-946-6204 MATES to Host Open House During IBEX 2006 MATES Board members and staff will be on hand to discuss membership benefits CHICAGO, October 13, 2006 - - To help educate the industry regarding its strategic goals, the Marine Association for Technology Exchange Standards (MATES) will host an Open House at the upcoming International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), taking place November 1-3 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. MATES staff and several members of the MATES Board of Directors will be on hand during the event, which is scheduled for Thursday, November 2 from 9-10 a.m. in Room D-241 of the convention center. A short presentation will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a member meet-and-greet. “The Open House provides a wonderful opportunity for individuals and companies interested in learning more about MATES to network with current members and get a sense of how the group is working to improve communication efficiency throughout the industry,” says MATES executive director John Warnik. “We encourage anyone that wishes to satisfy his or her curiosity about how MATES can help improve their respective businesses to plan on attending the Thursday morning event.” Originally founded by a small group of industry leaders, MATES is working to unite the marine industry by developing, implementing and supporting a common set of communication and data exchange standards. MATES’ ultimate goal is to create an environment where people and companies in the industry can focus on value-added activity by reducing IT burdens and eliminating system incompatibility, making it easier for companies to transact business with one another. MATES founding and charter members include: boats.com; Channel Blade Technologies; Dockmaster Software; Integrated Dealer Systems (IDS); MarineMax; NMMA; and Watch Captain. For more information on MATES or the specific benefits of membership, visit firstmates.org or contact Warnik at (312) 946-6295; jwarnik@nmma.org. National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the United States. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.