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Sail America General Members Meeting

 

MIDDLETOWN, RI – (Sept. 26, 2007) -- Sail America’s General Members Meeting on Oct. 5 in Annapolis, MD, will have a new meeting format with an in-depth interactive discussion about sailing’s current and future outlook, featuring viewpoints from industry leaders and an experienced economist. Gary Jobson, ESPN sailing analyst, author, lecturer and editor-at-large for Sailing World and Cruising World, will moderate the meeting and discussion at the Phillips Annapolis Harbor Restaurant on 12 Dock Street. Open to members and non-members alike, the Sail America General Members Meeting runs from 8:00 a.m.-10 a.m. and the free event includes a complimentary Continental Breakfast.

“Our goal is to encourage a far greater degree of involvement and participation by our audience by structuring the meeting as a discussion, rather than a series of formal presentations,” said Sail America Executive Director Jonathan Banks. “We expect that Gary Jobson will stimulate a lively discussion with the panel of speakers, who will answer questions about topics, ranging from new membership services to the global economy.” 

The speakers and topics that will be covered at the Sail America General Members meeting include:

  • Membership Services and Benefits – Sail America Executive Director Jonathan Banks
  • Boat Show Plans – Sail America National Show Manager Kevin Murphy
  • Boating Industry Initiatives – NMMA President Thom Dammrich 
  • Sailing Industry Trends – Beneteau USA President Wayne Burdick
  • International Opportunities – Ronstan International Managing Director Alistair Murray and Harken Commercial Manager Bill Goggins
  • Economic Trends – Investors Guaranty Fund, Ltd. Executive Vice President, CIO and Treasurer Dr. Douglas A. Love, also a member of the Executive Directorate.

Sail America Executive Director Jonathan Banks will review Sail America’s new initiative to add member benefits, such as cost-saving affinity programs and discounted space rates at Sail America-owned shows. The new member benefits are part of Sail America’s ongoing efforts to redefine the organization’s mission and offer greater value to its members.

Sail America National Show Manager Kevin Murphy will discuss future plans for Sail America’s Strictly Sail Shows, including results of a site search for a new location for the Strictly Sail Pacific show.

NMMA President Thom Dammrich will describe how the Grow Boating campaign is helping sailing and will present 2007 results and a preview of plans for 2008.

Beneteau USA President Wayne Burdick will outline the latest sailing retail activity, new boat trends, dealer management and global sourcing.

Ronstan International Managing Director Alistair Murray and Harken Commercial Manager Bill Goggins will both offer their insights about international opportunities, tips on exporting and   feedback from the International Sailing Summit.

Dr. Douglas A. Love of Investors Guaranty Fund, Ltd. will share his analysis on global economic trends and how certain economic factors may impact the sales of boats and sailing-related  products and services. Love is chairman of the Investment Subcommittee of the New Jersey Investment Council for the state’s public pension funds. He is president of Devonshire Capital Management, Inc., a private investment firm, president and CEO of Agincourt, Ltd., a Bermuda-based NASD registered broker dealer, and senior managing director and CIO of Ryan Labs, Inc., in New York, a fixed income research and asset management company.

Banks encourages everyone in the sailing industry to attend the Sail America General Members Meeting on Oct. 5 from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. at Phillips Annapolis Harbor Restaurant on 12 Dock Street.

“There is no RSVP and no cost– we