SAIL AMERICA INDUSTRY BREAKFAST

It was standing room only at Sail America's Member Meeting Industry Breakfast in Annapolis, Maryland. Over 150 industry professionals were in attendance to hear presentations by board members on Sail America's leadership transition, strategic initiatives for 2013, highlights from the 2012 Sailing Industry Conference in late June, member benefits, updates to the Discover Sailing and Sail America websites, and finally to listen to a presentation from Lee Tawney of the National Sailing Center and Hall of Fame.

Sail America President Josh Adams outlined the leadership changes that SA has undertaken by introducing the concept of Lighthouse Consulting Group as an association management company and why the change was made. Overall, the upcoming year will focus on building relationships, focusing on Discover Sailing, supporting Strictly Sail boat shows, and creating better supporting members.

At the breakfast, Sail America also presented Best in Show awards to six separate companies exhibiting at the US Sailboat Show; Jeanneau boats won "Best in Show" overall.

Winners included:

Dubarry: Best Booth Display—200 square feet and under
Harken: Best Booth Display—Over 200 square feet
Alerion: Best Boat Display—Fewer than 5 boats
Tartan/C&C: Best Boat Display—Five or more boats
Zim Sailing: Honorable Mention
Jeanneau: Best in Show

Sail America judged the contest with the help of four independent judges who commended the companies for having well dressed, friendly, and professional personnel as well as inviting booths and informative displays.

Dubarry, a shoe manufacturer, received special mention for a live demonstration of its boots in water while Harken, a manufacturer of sailboat hardware, received accolades for its use of booth graphics. Both Alerion and Tarton/C&C boat manufacturers received praise for "classy" displays and "inviting" booths.

Honorable mention went to Zim Sailing, which provides one-design sailboats, for its knowledgeable and helpful staff. Overall Best in Show was reserved for world-renowned power- and sailboat manufacturer Jeanneau for excellent signage and branding with dock flags, sail flags, and boat graphics and a welcoming customer lounge with comfortable seating.

For more information about the Best in Show awards, please contact Mitch Perkins at mitchperkins@gmail.com.

The next industry meeting will take place at Strictly Sail Pacific in Oakland, CA.

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