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MMTA ENews: January 26, 2007
MMTA Conference 2007 - A Success!
THE BUSINESS OF BOATING IN MASSACHUSETTS
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MARINE TRADES INDUSTRY LEADERS ADVANCE
THE BUSINESS OF BOATING IN MASSACHUSETTS
On Tuesday, January 16 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. Back by popular demand following its 2006 debut, this year's event sold-out to nearly 250 marine trades professionals. Throughout the day conference participants contemplated the critical issues that confront the marine industry, including diminishing public access, increasing regulatory hurdles, maximizing boat show opportunities and grasping the "how-to's" of business management. The Business of Boating in Massachusetts offered three "tracks" of educational sessions relevant to marinas and boatyards, boat dealers and retailers, and service and repair outlets.
During a luncheon presentation, Conference participants honored champions within and for the Massachusetts marine trades, including recipients of the 2006 Legislator of the Year awards. Presented by the 2005 award recipient and Legislative Boating Caucus Chairman Representative Anthony J. Verga of Gloucester (right), Representative Paul Kujawski of Webster (left) and Senator Michael Morrissey of Quincy were recognized for their commitment to maintaining and growing the Massachusetts marine trades industry. Representative Kujawski overcame long odds in 2006 to secure passage of the "Gate Show Bill" that has propelled the 51st annual New England Boat Show into the state of the art Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Senator Morrissey was a vocal advocate on the Senate side and continued to work tirelessly on broadening public access and streamlining regulatory hurdles that hinder expansion.
Ed Lofgren, Conference Chairman, MMTA Past President and MMTET Trustee presented the 2006 Marine Education Advocate of the Year award to Dean Elaine Stewart of Massasoit Community College (MCC) as cofounder of the MCC marine technology program. Receiving the 2006 Marine Educator of the Year award was John Bernier of Watch Captain, a dedicated instructor for the MCC marine technology program.
Ed Lofgren presents awards to Craig LeBlanc (l)
and Patrick Desmond | 
(From far right) Dan Vigneau, Larry Russo
and Greg Glavin |
Several "firsts" were awarded as well with Patrick Desmond of 3A Marine and Craig LeBlanc of Allen Harbor Marina both receiving recognition as a 2006 Marine Industry Employee of the Year. Pat and Craig were nominated and selected by their marine industry colleagues. Equally noteworthy were the awards bestowed on MMTA Directors and Past Presidents Larry Russo, Sr. of Russo Marine, Daniel Vigneau of Green Harbor Marina and Greg Glavin of Onset Bay Marina as 2006 Marine Industry Advocates of the Year for their extraordinary volunteerism to secure passage of the Gate Show Bill.
With the assistance of (or at the expense of!) several MMTA staff members, during lunch conference participants enjoyed light comedy led by Paul O'Donnell. Following a full afternoon packed with information, Norm Schultz, President Emeritus, Lake Erie Marine Trades Association geared up the crowd with "swim or sink" advice on making the most of every boat show. The Conference concluded with a leisurely late afternoon reception to recap the day's success.
MMTA's Leona Roach & Mary Horan join Paul O'Donnell | 
Norm Schultz of LEMTA gears up the crowd! |
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: Admiralty Insurance, Alkota, Atlantech Corporation, Bombardier, Boston International In-Water Boat Show, C&E Distribution, Cape Cod Marine Trades Association, Clean Quest, MA Office of Coastal Zone Management, Commodore Uniform, Donovan Marine, EBI Consulting, Edson, US Environmental Protection Agency, John Furrh Associates, GE Distribution Finance, DJ Gustafson & Co., Kellogg Marine Supply, New England Marine Documentation, North American Exposition, Northeast Marine Power, OilTrap Environmental, Port O' Call Productions, Spader Business Management, Volvo Penta, and Watch Captain.
"The Business of Boating in Massachusetts is fast becoming a hallmark tradition of MMTA and MMTET. Its success is a tribute to the professionalism of the Massachusetts marine industry. We share common goals of maintaining and growing the marine trades, which is critical to our national and local economies," stated Kurt Saunders, President of MMTA and owner of Saunders Boat Livery.
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 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 awarding scholarships and tool grants to individuals pursuing careers in the marine trades and establishment and growth of marine technology programs at the high school and college levels throughout the Commonwealth. MMTA Committee Chairman and MMTET Trustee Ed Lofgren stated, "The future of the recreational marine industry in Massachusetts depends on our ability to attract and retain talented and skilled marine trades' employees. The Business of Boating in Massachusetts provides a venue for colleagues to learn about and get involved in new marine educational opportunities."
To download speaker presentations visit: http://boatma.com/conference07/
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ONGOING REMINDERS TO MEMBERS AND LINKS OF INTEREST
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MA Legislation That MMTA Tracks:
http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/legal/2006/
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BOATER INFORMATION PIPELINE SIGNUP:
http://www.boatma.com/boatersenewssignupform.html
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MAKE THE MMTA JOBS BULLETIN BOARD WORK FOR YOU!
http://www.boatma.com/jobs/bbs.pl
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MARINE TRADES EDUCATORS WISH LIST
http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/news/bbs.pl
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