Nominations Open for Distinguished Service Award

The nomination process for the 2017 Sailing Industry Distinguished Service Award is now open. Created by the Annapolis Boat Shows in 2014, the award is designed to recognize members of the sailing industry for their high standards of excellence, service, and commitment. It honors a recipient who has distinguished him or herself through continued and unselfish service to the overall advancement of the sailing industry.

2015 Sailing Industry Distinguished Service Award winner, John Arndt, hands over the award in 2016 to Margaret Podlich. Photo courtesy of Annapolis Boat Shows

Nominated by their peers in the sailing industry, the final selection for the Distinguished Service Award will be made by a panel of judges who also represent the industry.

"The Sailing Industry Distinguished Service Award and the Best in Show exhibitor awards are meant to encourage creativity and professionalism in our industry.  Each year we look forward to recognizing excellence," said Paul Jacobs, president of the Annapolis Boat Shows.

The Sailing Industry Distinguished Service Award comes with an inscribed Anniversary 8-Day Ship Bell Clock on a mahogany base that is a limited edition precision timepiece donated by Weems & Plath. The annual award will be announced at the Sailing Industry breakfast at the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland on October 6, 2017.

Nominations are accepted through September 8, 2017.  The nomination form and more information is available on the company's website

Last year's winner was Margaret Podlich, former president of BoatUS and a lifelong advocate for boaters. The 2015 award was given to John Arndt, the associate publisher of Latitude 38 and the founder of the global sailing celebration Summer Sailstice. Alistair Murray was named the first awardee in 2014. He was recognized for his many contributions to the sailing industry and his ability to blend the sport of sailing with business.