Conference Home

Welcome Reception:	Wednesday, June 11 Sunset Terrace, Newport Yachting Center
Industry Conference:	Thursday, June 12 International Yacht Restoration School
Gala Dinner:	Thursday, June 12 International Yacht Restoration School
Industry Regatta:	Friday, June 13 Sail Newport

Welcome Reception: Sponsored by:     Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Time: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm Place: The Sunset Terrace, Newport Yachting Center, Newport, RI

SAIL Magazine and the Newport Exhibition Group will be held at The Sunset Terrace, located at the Newport Yachting Center. Ken Read, Skipper PUMA Ocean Racing will give provide a fascinating insight into the VOLVO OCEAN RACE. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Industry Conference - “Growth Through Innovation” Sponsored by: Date: Thursday, June 12, 2008 Time: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Place: International Yacht Restoration School

Bill Goggins, Sail America president, kicks off the conference on Thursday, June 12th with an important message about Sail America’s future plans. The rest of the day will be dedicated to a series of general session presentations, workshops, and a panel discussion.

Keynote Speaker: Sponsored by:

Dan Coughlin – CEO, The Coughlin Company Innovate to Accelerate: Practical Processes to Propel Business Momentum Keynote speaker and best-selling business author, Dan Coughlin will deliver a lively opening session on developing strategies to create more customer value while improving profitability and revenue growth. Gleaning lessons from his consulting work with major brands such as Toyota, McDonald's, Marriott, and Coca-Cola as well as with hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses, Coughlin will give you take-home value you can use right away.

General Sessions:

Economic Trends - Mark Vitner, Senior Economic Analyst, Wachovia

In Pursuit of Excellence: Professional Lessons from the World of Olympic Sailing - Dean Brenner, US Olympic Sailing Chairman Sponsored by: In this presentation, US Olympic Sailing Chairman Dean Brenner will discuss several important business concepts that will help you lead, manage, and grow your business, especially if a change of course is needed. Dean will draw directly on his experiences leading the Olympic Sailing Program over the last three years. During that time, Dean has led a turnaround of the Olympic Sailing Program that includes a 300% increase in revenue, and more than 90 podium finishes since 2004 from the US Sailing Team.”

Future Trends and Opportunities in the Sailing Market - Panel Discussion moderated by Dean Brenner

Workshop Topics:

Accelerate Your Impact as a Business Leader – Dan Coughlin In this highly interactive workshop, Dan Coughlin explains the details of great leadership and guides the group through a series of discussions on how to effectively influence the way other people think. Topics include effective communication, the leadership toolbox, coaching to improve performance, and learning from leaders in your past. Success Through Product Innovation How to Generate Sales in a Soft Market Successful Export Strategies The Latest in E-Marketing Practices Effective Market Segmentation Successful PR Strategies

Gala Dinner Sponsored by: Date: Thursday, June 12, 2008 Time: 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm Place: International Yacht Restoration School

Enjoy a fun-packed evening of networking and socializing at The Sailing Company Sponsored Gala Dinner, featuring a live music, an auction, and a raffle. Click here for more.

2008 Sail America Sailing Industry Regatta Sponsored by: Date: Friday, June 13, 2008 Time: 8:30 pm to 3:00 pm Place: Sail Newport
Open exclusively to Sail America members, the inaugural Sail America Sailing Industry Regatta sets sail on Friday, June 13th from Sail Newport. Click here for the official Regatta announcement and entry forms. The regatta will be sailed in a fleet of identical J-22’s. The first 12 teams to sign up will compete for bragging rights, T-shirts, prizes, and a custom-designed Regatta trophy. The Regatta is presented by West Marine and North Sails and is supported by GE, Gill, and US Sailing.