State association to address industry hot topics

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) will address several industry hot topics at its 28th annual conference, Sept. 12, at the Kent Island Yacht Club in Chester, Md., it reported in a recent statement.

“This conference is an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues in the marine trades as well as to learn more about the industry,” stated Jay Dayton, MTAM president. “We encourage you to take this one day of the year to meet with others from the marine industry and to fortify your knowledge of various topics affecting the marine trades.”

This year’s event will feature Mike Pusateri of Vantage Strategy Consulting, who will site specific examples of how the internet can be used better by our industry. Steve Tadd, the NMMA Grow Boating Director, will fill us in on how other state’s are preserving access to our waters through comprehensive planning, development rights and other efforts by local jurisdictions. The conference will also include a presentation on some of the opportunities for training your employees by Barbara Jean Walsh, author of ProBoat E-training. A panel of MTAM member attorneys will discuss contracts; what are the must haves for marine contracts.

As always, the conference will include an update on the Economic Impact of Boating in Maryland, given by Doug Lipton, University of Maryland Sea Grant College, a review of the Maryland Legislature and issues that pertain to our business, given by MTAM’s Legislative Consultant John Stierhoff, and a MTAM year in review given by President Jay Dayton.

Also at the conference, the MTAM Outstanding Service Award will be presented to Senator John Astle for his contributions to the marine industry and specifically for his assistance with passing a Bill in 2007 that will form a Task Force to study the boating industry. The Admiral of the Chesapeake Award given by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be awarded to Bob Slaff.

The Maryland Marine Trades Conference is an effort to foster exchange and discussion of information of interest to the marine trades industry. Partners for the event are the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative and Maryland Sea Grant College. Cost for participation is $65 for the day. Your participation is cordially invited.

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