NMEA conference returns to Florida

The 2016 NMEA International Marine Electronics Conference and Expo begins its three-day run on Sept. 20, 2016, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Fla. The event will focus on education and training, a new products expo, demonstration boats, product awards, networking and social events.

“After listening to member feedback and suggestions, we have increased the training offerings and brought back business-related training tracks including a ‘QuickBooks Session’ and an ‘Open Moderated Business Forum’,” said Mark Reedenauer, NMEA president and executive director. “We also added member incentives and discounts to encourage dealer and trade members to attend. This definitely will be the place to be for networking and training on all aspects of marine electronics.”

Other new technical education tracks will include Autopilots, OneNet, and Wireless Networking. An updated preliminary training schedule will be posted on www.expo.nmea.org within the upcoming weeks.

Students can also take advantage of the all-day NMEA training at a 50 percent discounted price. The Basic Marine Electronics Installer course (MEI) will be held Tuesday, Sept. 20; The NMEA 200 Networking course will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21; and the Advanced Marine Electronics Installer course will be held Thursday, Sept. 22. Additionally, NMEA technical committees for both OneNet and NMEA 2000 will be meeting throughout the week.

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Task Force will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The GMDSS Task Force is a group dedicated to monitoring the success and shortcomings of the GMDSS. The Task Force is also active in current efforts to modernize the GMDSS and monitors related developments in maritime radio and electronic navigation. The Task Force makes recommendations to government authorities to improve safety at sea.

A highlight of the conference will be a panel of CEOs from major marine electronics manufacturers who will talk about the future of the market and respond to questions about a variety of issues impacting the industry. The discussion will take center stage on Sept. 20, just after lunch and immediately before exhibits open on the expo floor.

Attendees may see the latest products in action on demonstration boats that will operate all three days, including evenings when manufacturers show off underwater lights, night vision cameras and radar operation. The marina is just a short shuttle ride from the Naples Grande Beach Resort.

Thursday evening will feature the NMEA Awards Banquet. The NMEA Product of Excellence Awards and the NMEA Technology Award are highly prized by the manufacturers of marine electronics.

“I’m very excited to have the conference back in Florida this year,” says NMEA Chairman Johnny Lindstrom. “We are anticipating seeing many of the dealers from the region. We have been able to expand the training offerings and have partnered with ABYC for even more opportunities for our members. It is an event that no one in this industry can afford to miss.”

A preliminary schedule of events will be posted on www.expo.nmea.org in the upcoming weeks. For more information, contact the main office at 410-975-9425.