MDRA conference to focus on all-industry campaign

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – The Marine Design Resource Alliance plans to discuss the creation of an all-industry PR and advertising campaign at its 8th Annual MDRA Creative Conference, the group reported in a recent statement.

In addition to this discussion, the conference offers boat builder CEOs an opportunity to meet one-on-one with marine parts and accessories suppliers,

The event runs April 19-20 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., and more than 60 CEO’s and senior executives from boat builders and marine suppliers are expected to be in attendance.

It kicks off with a dinner cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway aboard the Mariner III yacht. The next morning, the conference commences with a half day of meetings and presentations, capped off by a discussion of the merits of implementing an industry-wide national public relations and advertising program to attract more consumers to boating, MDRA reported.

Present for the session will be leaders from the recreational vehicle industry who were instrumental in developing and implementing the RV industry’s GO-RVing PR and advertising program, according to MDRA. The group is scheduled to debate not only the merits of developing a similar program for the recreational marine industry, but also how best to implement and fund it.

“We hope to come away with a concrete formula to present to the industry at-large for pushing forward a national marketing program,” MDRA stated.

Following the discussion session, attendees will have the option of heading to the links for an afternoon round of golf, complete with prizes in a variety of categories, or an informal lunch with friends, wives and associates. The conference concludes that evening with an awards banquet.

The Marine Design Resource Alliance is a non-profit organization “committed to creating and promoting exciting programs and events to advance the future of boating.” Its programs are sponsored by both its Full and Associate Members.

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