MIASF prepares for Marine Summit

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Marine Industries Association of South Florida will host its Sixth Annual Marine Summit in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Oct. 18 to review the achievements of the MIASF Marine Master Plan identify new goals and focus the plan with a regional perspective, MIASF said in a press release today.

The MIASF Marine Master Plan was developed with the help of the Florida Atlantic University Catanese Center and University of Massachusetts Urban Harbors Institute. It is designed to analyze the vital areas of marine industry sustainability and growth, while making recommendations for retention and expansion of business in the $8.8 billion industry in Broward County, Fla.

MIASF Marine Master Plan Chair Susan Engle will open the Summit with a progress report on the group’s efforts. Broward County Mayor Ilene Lieberman and City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle are expected to attend, as are other local leaders, city planners and members from business and civic organizations, along with marine industry leaders.

“We have made significant progress with the Marine Master Plan, to the point where individual committee projects are beginning to overlap,” Engle said. “At this point we need to look at things from a regional perspective in order to unify our efforts and identify the best way to proceed.”

Engle’s report will be followed by a panel discussion with panelists and topics to include:

After a question and answer session with the panel, attendees will break into four groups to discuss the topics of Working Waterfront Legislation; Creative Funding Sources and Incentives; Assessment of Boating Community Needs and Sustaining and Rebuilding the Marine Industry after the 2004 Hurricane Season.

Each of the four groups will provide a report for the entire assembly.
The Summit will be held at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale.

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