Webinar: 3Ts Summit: Trade, Tariffs and Taxes by Firecrown Events

3Ts Summit: Trade, Tariffs and Taxes

About

Soundings Trade Only, the marine industry's leading trade publication, today announced the return of the 3Ts Summit: Trade, Tariffs and Taxes, a free virtual event scheduled for July 15, 2026, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. EST. Sponsored by Brunswick Corporation, the event brings together a distinguished global panel of marine industry leaders to examine the sweeping changes in international trade policy, tariffs, and tax regulations that have unfolded over the past twelve months, and the impact of those changes for businesses across the marine industry.

What the Summit Will Cover

The 3Ts Summit 2026 will provide an in-depth examination of the forces currently shaping global trade for the marine industry, including:

A 12-month retrospective: What has changed in trade, tariffs, and taxes since the inaugural summit.

Current impacts: How geopolitical developments, including changing perspectives and tensions between major trading economies, are affecting the marine sector's supply chains, pricing, and market access.

The election factor: How the upcoming U.S. election could reshape trade and tax policy, and what scenarios industry leaders should be preparing for.

Regulatory changes: When and how key regulations are changing, including updates to import/export rules, safety standards, and environmental compliance requirements.

Actionable strategies: Practical steps marine business leaders can take today to manage risk, protect margins, and position their companies for success in an ever-changing trade environment.

A Global Panel of Industry Leaders

The 2026 summit features several panelists who participated in the inaugural event, joined by new voices from across the global marine community. The panel includes:

Philip Easthill, Secretary General, European Boating Industry (EBI)

Marie France McKinnon, Executive Director, NMMA Canada

Clay Crabtree, Acting Vice President, Public Policy and Government Relations, NMMA

Lee Gordon, Chief Communications and Government Affairs Officer, Brunswick Corporation

The 3Ts Summit 2026 is sponsored by Brunswick Corporation.

When

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 · 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada) (GMT -4:00)

Presenters

Ryan Davidson

Michele Goldsmith

Vice President & General Manager, The Sounding Trade Only Group

Michele J. Goldsmith is Vice President and General Manager of the Soundings Trade Only
Group, a leading B2B media brand serving the marine industry. With more than 30 years of experience spanning manufacturing, marketing and sales management in both OEM and
aftermarket markets, Michele brings deep expertise and insight to many facets of the industry.

Her influence extends well beyond her role in media. Michele has served on several key
industry boards, including the NMMA, Grow Boating, PAC, and ABYC’s technical board of
directors. A champion of innovation and inclusion, she is the founder of the Women in the
Industry series of programs and events, has spearheaded initiatives such as “Pitch the Pros,”
“Women in the Industry,” and the “1+1 Mentoring Program.”

She has been recognized and honored with the 2023 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award and the 2024 Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award for her impact and leadership. A lifelong creative and former professional athlete, Michele brings energy, artistry, and a global perspective to everything she does—on land or water.

Philip Easthill

Secretary-General of European Boating Industry (EBI)

Philip Easthill is the Secretary-General of European Boating Industry (EBI), which represents the
European recreational boating and nautical tourism industry with 32 members across 21 countries. The mission of EBI is to advance and represent a sustainable boating and nautical tourism industry #MadeInEurope. Key topics that EBI is working on are sustainability, circular economy, tourism, taxation, qualifications, access to finance, and international trade.

He has been in the position since September 2019 and previously worked in Public Affairs and
Regulatory Affairs at EU level. With an academic background in Politics and Business Management, he is also an avid sailor and worked as a skipper and sailing instructor.

Lee Gordon

Chief Communications and Government Affairs Officer at Brunswick Corporation

Lee Gordon is the Chief Communications and Government Affairs Officer at Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), the largest recreational marine technology company in the world.

Lee is responsible for all global communications, government affairs, public affairs, public relations, executive communications, internal communications and media relations for Brunswick and its more than 60 brands. In addition, Lee has accountability for corporate shows and events such as CES and enterprise internal communications.

Lee joined Brunswick’s Mercury Marine division in 2014 as Director of Global Public Relations. Prior to working at Brunswick, Lee had a 20-year career as an Emmy-nominated television and radio anchor for CBS and FOX as well as a sideline reporter for the NFL on FOX and SportsCenter host at ESPN Radio. During his career, Lee won 25 Associated Press Awards while covering some of the world’s biggest events.

Lee is a member of the Advisory Board of Directors for Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago as well as a member of the Executive Board for the Consumer Technology Association. Lee has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Illinois State University and an MBA from Florida State University.

Clay Crabtree

Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)

Clay Crabtree is the Interim Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). He helps lead the NMMA's government relations teams and co-leads the public policy and regulatory affairs team. He coordinates advocacy on issues central to the recreational marine industry, including access, infrastructure, boating safety, innovation, international trade and tariffs, tax, and environmental protection.

With nearly 15 years of policymaking experience across Congress, federal agencies, and industry, he works closely with the industry to maintain a forward-looking advocacy strategy, ensuring consistency between federal, state, and global policies. He represents NMMA in Washington, D.C., California, and internationally on trade and environmental policy.

Marie-France Mackinnon

Executive Director of NMMA Canada

Marie-France MacKinnon is the Executive Director of NMMA Canada, the national voice of Canada's recreational boating industry, where she leads government relations, public affairs, and strategic direction with a focus on trade policy, market access, and industry competitiveness.

With over 30 years of experience in public affairs and advocacy, her career is defined by delivering landmark policy results for the industries she represents. Most recently, she led the multi-stakeholder campaign that secured the repeal of the federal luxury tax on boats in Budget 2025. On the trade file, she has been actively engaged on CUSMA and North American market dynamics, representing the industry internationally at METSTRADE and IBEX and working closely with Global Affairs Canada and trade commissioners in key markets.

Fluent bilingual in English and French and based in Ottawa, Marie-France is recognized for her coalition-building approach and her track record of turning complex policy challenges into concrete results.

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