The Southern California Marine Association was founded in October 1956, specifically to produce and promote the Southern California Boat Show in Los Angeles. Forty companies were charter members of SCMA in 1956.

Current membership hovers around 800 companies; business firms are the "members," not the individuals. Regular members include boat and equipment manufacturers and the retail dealers who sell the products. Ancillary firms, such as manufacturers' reps, distributors, boating publications, insurance and financial agencies, and hardware manufacturers and dealers also are eligible for membership.

Although SCMA considers the 10 southern counties of California as its primary market area, the membership is state wide and national, primarily because members are charged a discounted rate for boat show space. SCMA now produces five boat shows annually.

In addition to the Southern California Boat Show, SCMA also produces shows at the Anaheim and Long Beach Convention Centers (in April and October respectively) and at the Los Angeles Fairgrounds in Pomona ( in late May, early June). A site on the Long Beach waterfront is used for a July in-the-water show. SCMA also has developed a format called "Demo Days" which focuses on making boats available to the public for test rides (currently SCMA is using Irvine Lake near Orange, for this event in late Spring).

SCMA is governed by a 16-person Board of Directors elected by the regular members (there is a non-voting associate member category for non-marine firms). The Directors elect the officers. SCMA's professional, full-time staff is managed by an Executive Director. SCMA has a full-time office in the city of Orange.

Over the years, SCMA has a developed a strong legislative advocacy program, covering both federal and stat proposals as well as an occasional local issue. SCMA works with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) on federal issues. In California, SCMA has retained Aaron Read & Associates of Sacramento as its legislative advocate and works with other state boating groups within the Marine Advisory Council of California. The legislation program is supervised by the Executive Director with direction from the Board.

SCMA organizes various educational and social events for the membership and acts as an information source for the media and the general public

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