GE Capital Solutions and Sail America Announce Inaugural “Growth Through Innovation” Sailing Industry Conference and Regatta in Newport, RI at the International Yacht Restoration School in June of 2008.

GE Capital Solutions and Sail America will present the inaugural “Growth Through Innovation” Sailing Industry Conference and Regatta this June 11-13, in Newport, RI, at the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS). Sail America members are invited to join leaders from business and the sailing industry for a compelling conference especially designed to help companies that provide sailing-related products and services achieve business success in today’s tough market environment.

The “Growth Through Innovation” business-oriented conference will bring together over 100 industry owners, sales and marketing managers, and other sailing-industry professionals for a full day of educational seminars, keynote speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions, workshops and networking events. Proven leaders from the worlds of business, economics, technology, marketing and sailing will mix and mingle with conference participants to discuss future trends and best industry practices.  

The Sail America Sailing Industry Conference and Regatta opens on Wednesday, June 11th with an evening Welcome Reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and a special presentation on the 2008 summer Olympics by U.S. Sailing Olympic Chair, Dean Brenner.

Bill Goggins, Sail America president, will kick 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 keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and panel discussions. Keynote presentations will focus on economic trends, new product development, managing your business in a down market, and key sailing demographics. Breakout sessions will focus on three major areas: Sales and Dealer Management, Best Marketing Practices, and General Business Management. The conference will finish with an interesting panel discussion on the trends and opportunities in sailing.

On Thursday evening, conference attendees will enjoy networking and socializing at a Gala Dinner with live music, an auction and after-dinner speaker.

GE Capital Solutions, the conference’s new title sponsor, says backing this conference is part of the company’s overall vision to support new sailing industry progress and advances. “The time is right for the entire membership of Sail America to come together as an industry and reach for the next level of expertise,” said GE Capital Solutions Vice President-Marine Manufacturing Relations Jerry Clark.

“The Sailing Industry Conference will focus on business-building strategies for achieving greater success through creative and innovative business practices and techniques,” said Sail America Executive Director Jonathan Banks. “We believe our conference attendees will go home, renewed, re-energized and equipped with an array of ideas they can implement to advance their businesses.”

Open exclusively to Sail America members, the inaugural Sail America Regatta will take place on Friday, June 13th at Sail Newport. An official Regatta announcement and entry form will be distributed to members shortly. The number of boats are limited, so be sure to sign up early. 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.

In addition to title sponsor, GE Capital Solutions, Gill North America recently came on board as a presenting sponsor. There are several opportunities for companies to become Presenting Sponsors, General Sponsors, or to sponsor the Welcome Reception or Gala Dinner. Any company or person also may donate items valued at $100 or higher to be raffled at the Gala auction.  

Registration forms will soon be sent to Sail America members for the GE Capital Solutions and Sail America “Growth Through Innovation” Sailing Industry Conference.  For further information please contact Kimberly Tuchon or Jonathan Banks at 401-841-0900 or visit  www.sailamerica.com.

 

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