Minneapolis Innovation Awards Announced

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) announced the winners of the 2026 Minneapolis Innovation Awards during the new Breakfast Briefing and Awards Presentation on January 22 at the Discover Boating® Minneapolis Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive® Insurance.

The Minneapolis Innovation Awards honor manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products in the boating industry to market. This year’s program honored six Innovation Award winners across four categories – one in the aluminum and non-fiberglass fishing boats category, one in the fiberglass category, two in the pontoon category and two in the furnishings category.

In the aluminum and non-fiberglass fishing boat category, Princecraft received the Innovation Award for the Platinum 190.

In the fiberglass fishing boat category, Vexus received the Innovation Award for the DVX23s.

In the furnishings category, dual winners Barletta Boats received the Innovation Award for the 2026 Lusso 25UA Seakeeper Collaboration, and Premier Marine received the Innovation Award for their Command Anchor.

In the pontoon boat category, dual winners, Godfrey was honored with the Innovation Award for the Sanpan, and Viaggio received the Innovation Award for their Lago Z24B.

Judges for the 2026 Minneapolis Innovation Awards were: Brady Kay (Chair), executive editor of Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine; Robert Beringer, a Florida-based freelance marine journalist and photographer; and Bill Gius, owner of “Country Consulting,” a marine industry consulting firm, and recent retiree from Great Lakes Marine Marketing.