Marine Marketers of America forms Board of Directors

ORLANDO, Fla. – Marine Marketers of America has named its inaugural slate of officers and directors, it reported in a statement yesterday.

Officers include President Wanda Kenton Smith, Kenton Smith Advertising & Public Relations; Vice-President of Membership Mike Walker, The Walker Agency; and Vice-President of Programming Bill AuCoin, AuCoin & Associates.

Members appointed to the board of directors include Jim Rhodes, Rhodes Communications; Eduard Bravo, GE Capital Solutions/Commercial Distribution Finance; Cindy Pechous, NMMA; David Pilvelait, Home Port Marine Marketing; Greg Proteau, Boating Writers International; Tammi Anderson, Nordic Tugs; Sally Helme, Bonnier Corporation; Mike Sciulla, Boat US; Gregg Boersma, Sail Magazine; John Wisse, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft; Eric Macklin, Hunter Marine; John Kerr, Canadian Yachting Magazine and Rob May, Regal Marine Industries, Inc.

“We are very excited about the strength and diversity of the leadership team and look forward to working together to benefit marine marketers and the industry in which we serve,” said Kenton Smith.

Immediate plans include the formation of several working committees to be co-chaired by board members that will focus on the launch of an association website, national awards program, speakers bureau, professional development initiative and an industry marketing pro-bono project, according to the association.

An official meeting of the new Marine Marketers of America association will be held at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show on Wed., Oct. 24 from 3-5 pm at the Bahia Mar Conference Center. In addition to a networking mixer, attendees will hear plans and updates of the various association initiatives. One of the event highlights will be a presentation by keynote speaker Bob Burg, best selling author of several business books and by-lined writer whose articles have appeared in hundreds of trade and business publications, stated the association. Burg is an expert in referral building and persuasive negotiations, it added.

Seating is limited and available on an RSVP first-come, first serve basis. There is no cost for the event. Reservation can be made by email at rsvp@marinemarketersofamerica.org.

The association is now accepting membership applications, which can be downloaded at http://www.marinemarketersofamerica.org/application.htm.

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