EBI Consulting | Burlington, MA | (800) 786-2346
Environmental Management & Engineering Services
The experts at EBI Consulting bring innovative approaches to assisting with the requirements of the US EPA and various state and local agencies. Our services include:
- Pressure Wash Management Alternatives
- Storm Water Permitting & Planning (SWPP)
- Oil Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures (SPCC) Planning
- Emergency Planning & Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) Reporting
- OSHA Training
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LOCAL AND NATIONAL MARINE TRADES INDUSTRY LEADERS
ADVANCE THE BUSINESS OF BOATING IN MASSACHUSETTS
Conference Ambassadors Welcomed 200 Industry Professionals
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On Tuesday, January 17 at the Quincy Marriott, the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) and the Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust (MMTET) proudly hosted The Business of Boating in Massachusetts: A Professional Development Conference. The sold-out event brought together nearly 200 national and local leaders of the marine trades to contemplate the critical issues facing the industry, including diminishing public access, increasing regulatory hurdles and workforce shortages. On Wednesday at the same location, MA Marine Trades Association Hosted 75 individuals from 27 dealerships across New England for the one of the first and the largest ever groups enrolled for a Marine Dealer Certification Workshop.
Tuesday's Business of Boating in Massachusetts featured educational sessions relevant to marinas and boatyards, boat dealers and retailers, and service and repair outlets. Conference participants enjoyed an informative and entertaining luncheon presentation by New England Cable News meteorologist, Tim Kelley, as well as the opportunity to honor individuals of note for their commitment to advancing the Massachusetts marine trades industry.
Colleagues enjoyed time to network and visit sponsor displays at several breaks throughout the day
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Luncheon presentation award recipients included State Representative Anthony Verga of Gloucester as the 2005 Legislator of the Year for his founding of the Massachusetts Legislative Boating Caucus and for his commitment to workforce development and broader public access. The 2005 Education Advocate of the Year Award was bestowed upon Colleen Price, a recently retired member of the South Coastal Workforce Investment Board, for her staunch support of the marine trades and advocacy on behalf of marine trades' workforce development in the Commonwealth. A surprise, special recognition award was given to Edwin R. Lofgren, Jr. for his dedication and commitment to the recreational marine trades as Past President, Director and Education Chairman of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association and Trustee of the Educational Trust.
Hosted by the volunteers and staff of MMTA and MMTET, The Business of Boating in Massachusetts conference was made possible through the generosity of its sponsors including: Bombardier, Boston Herald, Cape Cod Marine Trades Association, Commodore Uniform, Donovan Marine Supply, EBI Consulting, Edson International, Fuss & O'Neill, GE Distribution Finance, John Alden Insurance, Kellogg Marine Supply, Lewis Marine Supply, North American Expo-New England Boat Show, Port O Call TV Series, Sampson Insurance, Volvo Penta, Watch Captain, Yamaha Marine Group and 3A Marine Service.
NECN Meteorologist Tim Kelley Unraveled Weather Mysteries
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Tuesday's event concluded with National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) President Thom Dammrich's preview of the Discover Boating campaign. Later a Panel discussion moderated by MMTA President Greg Glavin and MMTA Director Larry Russo which included distinguished marine industry leaders: Skip Burdon of the American Boat and Yacht Council, Thom Dammrich of the National Marine Manufacturer's Association, James Frye of the Association of Marina Industries, and Phil Keeter of the Marine Retailers Association of America.
"The conference provided a venue for diverse participants to collectively address our common goal of maintaining and growing the marine industry, which is critical to our national and local economies. The record breaking attendance at the conference reinforced the professionalism of the marine trades industry in Massachusetts and the dedication of our membership by coming together to develop solutions and strategies to the address the challenges to the marine industry," stated Greg Glavin, President of MMTA.
For slide show of conference photos or to download speaker presentations, please visit: www.boatma.com/membersonly
20 Generous Conference Sponsors Were On Hand with Information, Free Samples and Good Conversation | 
Honored at the Conference were L to R: Ed Lofgren, Colleen Price and Rep. Anthony Verga of Gloucester | 
All the seminars were very well attended and generated considerable question and answer periods |
Many dealers returned for Wednesday's Dealer Certification Workshop, the first step towards becoming a certified and recognized marine dealer. MA Marine Trades members making the commitment to becoming a Certified Marine Dealer included: A to Z Boatworks, Allen Harbor Marine Service, Atlantic Boats, Baert Marine, Bayside Marine, Bosun's Marine, Cape Yachts, Crosby Yacht Yard, Eastern Yacht Sales, Edwards Boatyard, Nauset Marine and Oyster Harbors Marine.
L to R: Tina Giambro of Port O Call TV and NMMA President Thom Dammrich
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Workshop Leaders, Five Star Solutions, reported huge enrollment for the Boston area day long introductory meeting. "This is the first group of dealers, following the pilot dealers, to start their journey to certification," said Phil Keeter, MRAA President. "It's exciting to see how dealers are responding to this Grow Boating Initiative. MMTA served as the host association for this Dealership Certification launch meeting and has worked tirelessly on coordinating enrollment and site details: we thank them for their assistance," Keeter commented. Dealers are encouraged to contact MRAA's Marge Eckenroad at 708-763-9210 or mraa@mraa.com. Interested dealers may also visit www.growboating.org/service to enroll and reserve a slot.
With 186,000 boats registered in Massachusetts, the state's recreational boating industry contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the local economy and accounts for roughly fifteen percent of all such spending in the United States.
The Industry Leaders Panel Was Moderated by Greg Glavin and Larry Russo.
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The MMTA was established in 1964 to represent the 1,260 marine businesses in the Commonwealth that employ over 27,000 full and part-time individuals. The Association seeks to advance the interests of the marine trades and the boating public though the promotion of recreational boating, participation in legislation and expansion of professional improvement programs.
MMTET is a non-profit foundation that funds efforts to accomplish the educational goals of the Massachusetts marine trades. Current MMTET initiatives include the awarding of scholarships and tool grants to deserving individuals pursuing a career in the marine trades, training expense reimbursement grants for incumbent workers and assistance with the establishment and continuance of marine technology programs at the high school and college level throughout the Commonwealth. Ed Lofgren, MMTA Education Committee Chairman and a Trustee of MMTET states, "Stimulating interest in careers in the marine trades and facilitating entry into the marine industry is at the core of MMTET's mission. The future of the recreational marine industry and our collective ability to well serve our customers depends on our ability to attract and retain talented and skilled marine trades' employees."
Show Your Colors: Proudly Display the MMTA Logo
Start the New Year out right! Add the MMTA Logo to your website, letterhead and marketing materials. Electronic versions of the MMTA logo is available to Members in Good standing at www.boatma.com/membersonly/mmtalogos.html
WE WANT YOUR MARINE INDUSTRY PHOTOS!
MMTA is seeks your photographs of the Massachusetts Recreational Boating Industry to add to its library. We need photos of marinas, boatyards, retailers, service and repairers. Please send all photos in a high resolution version and indicate if a photo credit is applicable or not. Send to Leona.Roach@boatMA.com
UPCOMING MARINE INDUSTRY EVENTS
CLICK HERE: http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/memberscalendar.html
MMTA-STAPLES BUSINESS ADVANTAGE PROGRAM
How Do I Enroll?
It's easy. Click Here, or visit the MMTA Members Only Section at www.BoatMA.com and click on the STAPLES LOGO.
E-MAIL CHANGES?
Unlike the US Post Office, the cyberspace postmaster does not forward your e-mail. Has your e-mail address changed? If so, be sure to let us know so you won't miss an issue of MMTA ENews: Send a notice of any email address changes or requests to opt out of future mailings to: webmaster@boatMA.com
ADVERTISE ON BOATMA.COM
THE BEST PROMOTIONAL VALUE FOR YOUR MARINE BUSINESS!
If you do ANY advertising, this is THE place to be! Only for MMTA members, the BOATMA.com web site draws thousands of boaters every single day. There is no better place to get exposure for your marine trades business! Consider adding your BANNER AD to the site as the boat show season is just around the corner when the BoatMA.com site experiences a huge jump in viewers.
MMTA also invites you to sponsor an ENews Brief. We will feature an image and some text about your company right at the top of a ENews Brief, which is sent to all MMTA members. What a great business-to-business opportunity!
Email webmaster@boatma.com or call David Watson, the BoatMA.com webmaster, at 508-240-2533 to sign up today!
SHARE THE WEALTH!
Like what you have read? PLEASE share these ENews briefs with colleagues and staff of MMTA member firms. While emails are sent to one contact at a Member Firm, all employees of member firms can benefit from this information.
HAVE AN ITEM FOR ENEWS? Drop us a line at: Leona.Roach@BoatMA.com
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