NMBA conference agenda finalized

CHICAGO – The National Marine Bankers Association has announced a finalized agenda for its 27th Marine Lending Conference, which is scheduled for Nov. 12–14 at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla.

The event features business sessions focused on lending issues and presents networking opportunities during planned events and with exhibitors.

The business sessions include:

Industry Outlook Mike Scruggs, President and CEO of Riviera Yachts of the Americas, is scheduled to share his company’s unique domestic and international perspective of boat building and marketing. With more than 30 years experience in marine manufacturing and distribution, he is credited with guiding some of the industry’s best-known names. Scruggs is expected to explain the benefits and challenges of selling imported boats and offer insight for lenders and others involved in these transactions as to buyers, tips for expediting sales and cautions.

Industry and Economic Forecast Economist Gina Martin is slated to offer insights to financial markets and the national economy, housing and inventories, and how these will affect the boating market.

Protections from Lender Liability Admiralty attorney John Glenn of the Florida law firm Anderson Glenn LLC, is scheduled to provide a short course in dealing with direct consumer claims arising out of breach of warranty and handling out-of-trust dealers and their counterclaims. The impact these issues have on marine lenders is expected to be discussed, as well as how to prepare for such situations.

Hurricane Insurance Panel Moderated by NMBA Director and insurance executive Mike Smith, this panel will look at the challenges of obtaining marine and marina insurance in Florida and other storm-ravaged markets, how underwriters, agents and dealer/brokers are facing it, the impact it has on lending, and prospects for improvements.

Hurricane Outlook Steve Letro, Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, Fla., a specialist in tropical meteorology and hurricanes, will provide background on how the Weather Service tracks and forecasts hurricanes and offer a look at the seasons ahead and factors expected to make them less or more severe. He’ll also offer views on damage prevention and the relationship between storms and insurance availability.

Water Access Dylan Jones, NMMA’s Water Access Counsel, will outline what the industry, local and regional groups are working on in permitting, policy reform, land use issues (mixing access and development), compiling data and outreach efforts to turn a positive tide on access issues.

Industry Issues & Updates Moderated by NMBA Director Peggy Bodenreider, the smorgasbord of topics include:

The NMBA Conference is the annual meeting place for those involved in the marine finance and related service industries and attracted nearly 180 participants last year. A traditional golf tourney is scheduled for the second day of the event. Conference registration forms are posted at www.marinebankers.org.

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