Join BWI. BWI welcomes anyone actively involved in the recreational boating industry as a member. Active members are generally writers, photographers, and broadcasters (dues are $35 a year). Associate members are generally Public Relations or Communication firms (dues are $40/year). Supporting members are usually manufacturers or advertising agencies (dues are $150/year). To join, simply download the appropriate application, fill in and send with a check. Questions? Email info@bwi.org, or call 847/736-4142. Thank you for your consideration! BWI Membership Benefit Highlights For Active and Associate members, benefits include: The BWI Journal newsletter, published "on-line" 11 times a year, keeps you advised of important "goings-on" with BWI and its members, the industry, and leading marine companies. "Writer's Marketplace" where you can post free classified ads to find writing assignments or to find a writer specializing in boating topics. New! BWI's Speaker's Bureau is open for business to help members find speaking engagements and boating groups and the trades find speakers. Promotion of BWI's "ethics guidelines" is continuing to help writers and publishers work better with each other, the manufacturing community and with consumers. Our annual Writing Contest, which takes place from November through January, recognizes the top writers with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in 14 categories and rewards them with $14,000. Members can enter four contest submissions for free. Winners named in February are automatically entered into "Phase II" which culminates with the presentation of the West Marine Writer's Award and $5,000! Listing in the annual BWI Directory detailing your work and specialties used by magazines, communication firms, manufacturers and others to find writers. Circulated throughout the marine industry. We hold two general networking meetings each year at the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale Shows with "Newsmaker" panels and events. Plan to join us. A personalized "press" card noting your affiliation with BWI. For Supporting members, benefits include: High priority to news from supporting members in the BWI Journal and on www.bwi.org. Your visibility among boating's primary writers and communicators is enhanced since BWI has at least one member at most major publications in addition to dozens of freelancers and outdoor writers who are active members. Listing in the annual BWI Directory detailing your products and/or services, who your primary media contact is, links to your websites. It makes it easy for writers to know you support them and how to find you. Advance opportunity to be sponsors of the BWI Writing Contest which reward journalists and serve to improve the entire marine communications process. Welcome reception at all BWI meetings and "Newsmaker" events … and we draw on our supporting members whenever appropriate to serve on panels or forums that make news. BWI MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES Membership in Boating Writers International is from January 1 through December 31. ACTIVE: Active status is available to any person whois engaged in writing, editing, broadcasting, telecasting, photography, art or lecturing,or who is employed full-time by a non-profit organization or agency and engaged incommunication, conservation or promoting the recreational aspects of the marine orassociated fields. Active members agree to assume all responsibilities of membership andwill be entitled to all privileges of active membership. ASSOCIATE: Associate membership is available to anyperson who does not meet the requirements for active membership but who works in themarine or an associated field in public relations; advertising or public information topromote specific products or services; who is paid to promote the use or sale of thoseproducts; and students of journalism who share an interest in the marine and/or associatedfields. Associate members agree to assume all responsibilities of membership and will beentitled to full voting privileges and may be elected to the board of directors, may beappointed to a committee and may act as committee chairperson, but may not be nominatedfor, or hold the office of vice-president(s) or president. Active & Associate Membership Application (PDF) SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP: Supporting membership isavailable to any individual, association or commercial firm engaged in manufacturing goodsor providing a service marketed in the marine industry, and who has a common interest inthe purposes of this organization and desires to contribute to the accomplishment of suchpurposes. Designated representatives (up to three) of supporting members agree to assumeall responsibilities of membership, may attend all meetings and functions, take part inactivities, may be appointed to a committee and may act as committee chairperson. They maynot vote in the general elections, they may be elected to the board of directors, but maynot be nominated for, or hold the office of vice-president(s) or president. Supporting Membership Application (PDF)