ISS program is finalized

swadminSeptember 9, 2005

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Details of the 7th International Sailing Summit have recently been finalized and are now available, event organizers reported in a recent release.

This year’s ISS, which is expected to draw about 200 attendees, will be held Nov. 14 and be hosted by Amsterdam RAI in conjunction with METS. Numerous topics will be covered and an inaugural selection of a $5,000 recipient for the best presentation on how to promote sailing, will be made.

ISS historically brings together a mix of sales, marketing, administrative, media and industry executives, as well as major association leaders, to share views on how to promote participation in sailing by sharing tips, techniques and best in class case studies.

“Winning Sailing Sponsorships” will be first in a series of all-day programs and will feature a crew of panelists who will share what sponsors seek in partnership promotions. The corporate panelists include marketing representatives from Skandia, Louis Vuitton, Fast Track and BMW Oracle Racing Team, and will be moderated by Paul Strzelecki of Henri-Lloyd.

Senior representatives from the International Sailing Association Federation and the Royal Yachting Association will report on their “Connect to Sailing” and “Onboard” programs, while one of Brazil’s industry executives will address how sailboats are used as part of their education network.

Additional topics include strategic discussion about community sailing and the Olympics; the fast-growing international SailTime fractional sailing initiative; a statistical review of worldwide sailboat production; a timely report from the NMMA’s Thom Dammrich about the Grow Boating campaign.

ICOMIA’s Tony Rice will also host and moderate an additional panel that will address specific sailing participation initiatives.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, official patron of the 7th ISS, will serve as master of ceremonies for the dinner festivities, which includes two keynote speakers. Bruno Trouble of Louis Vuitton and Mark Turner of Offshore Challenges.

“We are very keen and enthusiastic about this year’s ISS agenda and anticipate both an outstanding attendance and a lively interchange of ideas and concepts,” said ISS founder Alistair Murray of Ronstan. “Holding the event in collaboration with METS should help drive positive attendance and continue to build the quality momentum ISS generates to support the growth of sailing.”