Anyone from OSO plan on attending?
National marina expo this fall
The marina industry is joining the post-IMTEC trend toward trade show segmentation, with plans for the first National Marina and Boatyard Conference and Exposition this fall.
The event will run Oct. 27 to 30 at the Radisson Bahia Mar Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale — just prior to the start of the Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. It is being jointly presented by the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association, International Marina Institute and Marina Operators Association of America.
Organizers say they are planning a full schedule of networking opportunities and educational seminars. In addition, there will be a “marina and boatyard marketplace” at which participants can inspect and purchase “the newest [marina/boatyard] products and services available,” according to the announcement.
“In the spirit of better serving the marina and boatyard industry, ABBRA, IMI and MOAA have pooled their resources to create this new national conference and exposition,” said the leaders of the three organizations in a statement. ABBRA managing director Mark Amaral, IMI executive director Tim Timpson and MOAA executive director James L. Frye say the decision comes in response to a long-standing industry need.
“For years marina and boatyard operators and owners have sought a single national meeting devoted solely to the discussion of marina and boatyard issues, and the exposition of marina and boatyard products and services,” the three leaders said in their statement. “Together, ABBRA, IMI and MOAA are dedicated to working cooperatively to produce a national event that fulfills that demand.”
More information is available from Timpson at (561) 741-0626;
info@imimarina.org . Anyone interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the event should contact MOAA manager of communications and education Stephen Wakefield at (202) 721-1622;
swakefield@nmma.org .
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