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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Friends:
If you don’t take action your business could be in trouble. The infamous “luxury tax” of the early 90’s nearly killed our industry and if we are not careful we could be faced with another equally disastrous piece of legislation.
It has been a long cold winter and spring. I hope your summer goes well and you prosper. However, if you don’t get involved we could be in trouble as an industry in Massachusetts.
The Mass. Marine Trades Association has worked long and hard over the past months to promote the recreational boating industry and will continue to do so in the months ahead. Many dedicated individuals have volunteered hundreds of hours in an effort to make our industry stronger.
Our Boat Show continues to be the economic engine that provides the means for us to serve our needs.
Our Public Relations Committee is sponsoring events across the state this summer to promote recreational boating, and this past May produced a very powerful television campaign to reach out to those poor souls who have not been exposed to the joys of boating.
Our Internet Committee has completely revamped our Web page, is reaching thousands on BoatMa.com, and recently received an award for the best new web page.
Our Education Committee has been working diligently to bring more education programs and schooling to our current employees and to train and provide new recruits into the industry. They recently formed a non-profit 501 c 3 foundation to further the interests of the industry.
Our Government Relations Committee has reached out to the Governor’s office to obtain a Proclamation extolling the benefits of recreational boating and marinas and has been instrumental in educating many of the decision makers on Beacon Hill as to the economic, environmental, and recreational benefits that our industry provides to the Commonwealth.
My challenge to you is to make one phone call, and set up one appointment with your local state representative to provide them with the information to make informed decisions concerning our industry. If you don’t help, no one else will! We have materials for distribution that will help you. If you like, I, or someone from the board, or our staff, would be happy to accompany you.
Can you imagine the impact we would have if we all were to make that one appointment. Maybe we won’t get another luxury tax—but are you willing to take that risk? It only takes a few minutes, but can make a great difference. Pick up that phone!
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