This year's annual NMEA convention is in Ft. Meyers, FL.  The convention is an "insider's" show for manufacturers, dealers, and others and provides an opportunity to get together and discuss many of the issues and topics that effect the Marine Electronics industry and, consequently, you the customer.  This includes input from organizations such as the FCC, the US Coast Guard, and numerous smaller working groups.
One of the highlights of the convention is the Exhibitors Hall, where manufacturers set up displays of their latest products, often prototypes, in an effort to woo dealers and installers.  Essentially, it is not unlike a boatshow environment, but everything is Marine Electronics.  This year has over 50 manufacturers booths covering smaller markets like Software manufacturers, underwater lights, thermal cameras, and NMEA2000 products all the way to the "big players", like Raymarne, Garmin and Furuno.  It is a great way for Dealers, like myself, to see what is coming and to use that knowledge to help you find the best product for your needs.
Another unique opportunity is in the real time demostrations where numerous manufacturers rig out boats for true, on the water experiences with theri equipment.  Those of you who know me know that one of my big caveats with marine electronics is that "Everything looks good on the show  room floor".  In other words, we can be really drawn in  by the LOOKS of a product at boatshows or in show rooms.  But the true test is how it performs in real world environments.  These on the water demos provide a glimpse into that reality.  I am currently signed up for two such demos; one with Geonav, to look at their displays and highly praised Autopilot and another with FLIR, the thermal imaging company who now owns Raymarine.  FLIR also has close ties with Furuno as well as Nobeltec navigation software (more on that later).  A third trip is scheduled as a fishing trip, sponsored by various manufacturers.  Not sure how that will play out yet.  Either way, I intend to present feedback about each trip for you to hear about how products behaved in real, on the water use.
Stay tuned....