06/28/07 FROM: NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION 200 E. Randolph Dr., Suite 5100 Chicago, IL 60601-6528 312-946-6200 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lindsey Johnson ljohnson@nmma.org 312-946-6204 MATES to Host Pavilion During MAATS 2007 Members available to demonstrate real-world benefits of data exchange standards CHICAGO, June 28, 2007 - - The Marine Association for Technology Exchange Standards (MATES) will host a special MATES Pavilion at the upcoming Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS), taking place July 18-20 at the Las Vegas Hilton and Convention Center. The pavilion, located near the NMMA Resource Center on the show floor, will feature a subgroup of MATES members exhibiting products and services that employ MATES data exchange standards. These may include specifications for communicating sales leads, parts orders, locating a particular dealership or inventory re-marketing/boat listings. Leveraging industry standards helps companies gain competitive advantage by eliminating the time-consuming process of familiarizing oneself with individual data exchange methods each time a new trading partner is identified. “The pavilion is a gathering place for some of the industry’s leading marine software and internet service providers,” says MATES executive director John Warnik. “Attendees will find a cross section of products and solutions that automate key business tasks.” MATES staff and several board members will be stationed in the MATES Pavilion and available to answer association-related questions, including representatives from boats.com, Channel Blade Technologies, IDS and Watch Captain. “Not everyone understands the ‘nuts and bolts’ technologies we use to simplify marine industry businesses, as well as our own,” says Tony Pimentel, COO of Watch Captain and a member of the MATES Board of Directors. “The MATES Pavilion provides a perfect opportunity to demonstrate and highlight the real-world application of these technologies, developed through the hard work of MATES members within the past year.” 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 non-proprietary 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. 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.