FEB. 14, 2012

Visitors can learn about expanded online services

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Michigan Secretary of State's Office will be highlighting its new ExpressSOS.com online services at the 2012 Grand Rapids Boat Show through Feb. 19 at DeVos Place, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today.

"This is a perfect opportunity to learn about renewing your watercraft at ExpressSOS.com," Johnson said. "And that's not all you can do. Renew your license plate tabs, renew your driver's license or get duplicate titles and registration. It's easy. Stop by our booth and ask our friendly staff about the online, no-wait Secretary of State."

Watercraft registration renewal notices are mailed out in March by the Secretary of State's office. Currently Michigan has more than 907,000 boats registered in the state. The National Marine Manufacturers Association ranked Michigan third in the country in boat registrations in 2010, up from fourth in 2009.

"We are excited to have Michigan's Secretary of State Office involved in the Grand Rapids Boat Show once again," said show spokeswoman Dianna Stampfler. "Secretary Johnson's ongoing dedication to Michigan's boating industry reinforces our efforts to produce the largest and longest-running consumer boat show here in the Great Lakes State. We anticipate this year will be bigger and better than ever before!"

Besides displaying the latest in power boats, pontoons, kayaks and canoes, the show offers a boating safety certification course, courtesy of the Kent County Sheriff's Department, on Feb. 18. Throughout the show visitors can also learn basic sailing techniques and how to read a nautical chart.

The booth will be open during the show's public days, which run Feb. 15 through Feb. 19 at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. N.W. Show hours are as follows:

• Wednesday, Feb. 15 ? 3-9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 16 ? 3-9:30 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 17 ? 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 18 ? 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 19 ? 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about office locations and additional services, visit www.Michigan.gov/SOS. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/MichSOS and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/MichiganSOS.

Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

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For media questions, please call Gisgie Dávila Gendreau at 517-373-2520.