In Brief: Yacht Haven Grande, Bellingham Marine, Charleston Boat Show, Marine Marketers of America, Manitou Pontoon Boats, Nauticomp, Wickes Marine
On Sat., Jan. 23, Yacht Haven Grande, a Caribbean marina, shopping and nautical lifestyle destination, will host a special concert event to benefit the victims of the tragic earthquake in Haiti. The fundraiser will take place from 3:00 to 9:00 pm and will feature live music by Web from the Buzz, Barefoot Davis, the Becca Darling Band, Down the Line, and the Ahwee Band. In addition, a raffle will take place during the event with prizes including local hotel stays, boat trips, gift certificates, and many other prizes. The raffle is being organized in conjunction with the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association and will be offered at $5 per ticket. The concert is complimentary with monetary donations accepted throughout the event. Each band is donating their performances for this fundraiser, and all proceeds from this benefit will be donated to the relief efforts of the American Red Cross. For additional details on this Haitian Relief event or to make a donation, contact Josalyn Bitterman at 340-775-8901 or jbitterman@yachthavengrande.com.
Three additional Bellingham Marine plants have achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification, the company reported in a recent statement. The three newly certified plants include Bellingham’s NE plant in York, Pa.; Bellingham’s SE plant in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Bellingham’s Drystack operations in Callahan, Fla. The ISO 9001:2008 is an international standard for quality management, quality assurance, and continuous improvement. This standard refers to how an organization’s processes are designed and managed to transform inputs or services designed to meet the customer’s objectives, the company explained. Bellingham Marine produces Unifloat saltwater systems, Unideck freshwater systems and Unistack dry storage systems for marinas worldwide.
The Charleston Boat Show and Water Missions International have teamed up for Haiti relief this weekend. Water Missions International will be on site at the 30th annual Charleston Boat Show to answer questions about their current relief efforts in Haiti and demonstrate how their water purification units work. Water Missions International’s water treatment equipment provides safe drinking water after a disaster. A Living Water Treatment System can be transported easily by pick-up truck to remote communities that may be otherwise unreachable by other modes of transportation due to compromised roads and raging rivers, according to the company. Once in place, the system can be assembled and operating within a matter of a few hours. Boat show attendees may make donations toward Haiti disaster response and learn about opportunities to assist with the work of Water Missions International. The Charleston Boat Show opens this Fri., Jan. 22 at the North Charleston Convention Center.
Marine Marketers of America (MMA) will present a symposium, “The Great Media Debate: Where to Put Your Ad Dollars Now,” during its annual General Members meeting beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 during the Miami International Boat Show.
Headlining the professional development presentation are Peter Janssen, editorial director of MotorBoating magazine and former publisher of Motor Boating & Sailing, and James Causey, vice president of Dominion Media, a division of Dominion Enterprises, which includes Soundings, Yachtworld, Passagemaker and Boats.com. Moderated by MMA program producer and board member Michael Sciulla, the panel participants will tackle and debate the latest electronic, online and social media alternatives as well as whether – after a decade of digital hype – there is any life left in print. Also on the agenda is a 2009 association summary, including the official launch of the association’s pro bono “Marketing to Women” creative showcase. In addition, a new slate of officers and board members will be introduced and plans for the future announced. There is no charge for program attendance. The event will be held in Room B121-122 at the Miami Beach Convention Center and is co-sponsored by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). For information, visit www.marinemarketersofamerica.org.
Manitou Pontoon Boats has hired four new independent sales representatives. William Walters covers Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Rick and Jackie Axt are covering Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, George, and the panhandle of Florida. Jay Trotter will handle Florida. Bob Greenwood is covering the entire Northeast.
Marine displays manufacturer Nauticomp has appointed Wickes Marine to represent the company’s products on the U.S. east coast from Maine through the Carolinas. Headquartered in Tiverton, R.I., Wickes Marine has been representing marine equipment suppliers since 1985.
