A Line Up of Experienced Business Leaders Focusing On the Most Current Issues Affecting the Boatyards, Builders, Repair, Refit and Service Sectors of the Marine Industry
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – December 12, 2012 – The American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) is proud to announce the line-up of topics and speakers for its Boatyard Business Conference. The event, which will focus strictly on issues important to boatyards, boat builders and marine service/repair businesses, will take place January 16 – 18, 2013 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and will offer conference participants a venue to hear updates on opportunities and challenges facing the boatyard/boatbuilding marine industry sector.
The program will combine interactive sessions with experienced industry leaders, industry partners and leading non-industry experts with several networking and business-to-business events. Speakers will offer national and global perspectives on changes seen in the recent marine industry business environment and what may be expected in the future.
The conference is entitled “Sustainability & Growth of the Traditional Boatyard in the New Global Marketplace” and speakers will offer presentations on the following:
- Ed Sherman, Curriculum Development Director, ABYC – “Get On the FastTrac – ABYC Rolls Out Their New FastTrac Program”
- J.B. Turner, Managing Partner Front Street Shipyard; Taylor Allen, Owner, Rockport Marine; Steve White, Owner, Brooklin Boat Yard; and Kenneth Priest, President, Kenway Corporation – “A Model for Success: The Connection Between the Traditional Boatyard of the Past and the Boatyard in the new Global Marketplace – What has Changed and What has Stayed the Same”
- Jim Bronstein, Owner, Marine Business Advisors; and Ron Helbig, General Manager, Noank Village Boatyard – “Professionalism has nothing to do with the size of the boat? What Large Megayacht Refit and Repair Yards Have in Common with Smaller Yards”
- Mole Telfer, Business Development Manager, Rob Price Services, Michael Keyworth, General Manager, Brewer Cove Haven Marina, Scott Miser, Yacht Services Representative, Rybovich – “How to Ensure Subcontractors are an Asset not a Liability”
- Kevin Hutchinson, President, My Villages.com; Joy McPeters, Publisher, MarinaLife – “Information, Communication, and Relationship Building In a New Global Marketplace”
- Susan Swanton, Executive Director, Maine Marine Trades Association – “Interactive Discussion: The Boatyard Business, Problems and Solutions”
- Kevin McLaughlin, Fairhaven Shipyard, Mario Garneau, Vice President Research, Development & Innovation at New Nautical Coatings; Kelly Crete Safety & Loss Control Manager, Gowrie Group, Mike Keyworth, General Manager, Brewer Cove Marina – “VOC’s and the Regulatory Challenge Facing the Boatyard Industry”
- Bill Yeargin, President/CEO, Correct Craft – “Teambuilding & Leadership for Productivity & Success”
- Kristina Hebert, COO, Wards Marine Electric/President , MIASF – “The Latest on Longshore Insurance Reform And Why You Still Need to Stay Engaged”
- Gerry Nessenson, President, ValveTec Petroleum Products – “The Latest on E-15”
- Susan Swanton and Rich Difede, President of Gold Coast Yachts (St. Croix, Virgin Islands) “Workforce Development… Now More Important Than Ever”
- Larry Keefe, Executive Vice President, Starkweather Shepley – “The Latest Updates on Boatyard Insurance”
The ABBRA Boatyard Business Conference is made possible through the support of Presenting Sponsors Starkweather & Shepley and Great American Insurance Company – Marine Division. Additional sponsors include American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), Soundings Trade Only, Marine Travel Lift, Interlux/AwlGrip, Brownell Boat Stands, My-Villages, Pier Vantage and Sea Hawk Paints.
For additional information on the conference or for registration please visit abbra.org or contact Gordon Connell or Nicole Hoekstra at 954-654-7821.
About American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA)
Founded in 1943, ABBRA is a national marine trade organization that represents, is dedicated to, and seeks to strengthen and encourage professionalism in the boat building, boat repair, and marine service industry.
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