Registration Opens for Sailing Industry Conference

 
Registration Opens for Sailing Industry Conference, Top Speakers, Events Finalized

May 13, 2010, Middletown, RI – Sail America has officially launched the registration for its 2010 Sailing Industry Conference and announced the confirmed series of speakers and events slated for the June 14 – June 16 program entitled, “Adjusting to the New Economy.”

The two-day industry conference will be held in Annapolis Maryland at St. John’s College and features a jam-packed schedule featuring expert speakers, breakout sessions and interactive peer discussions, plus a mix of fun social activities including a BBQ at Port Annapolis and a hotly-contested Sailing Industry Regatta at J World Annapolis.

“We’ve designed this event to maximize the learning time and return on investment for members of our industry,” said Committee Chair George Day of Blue Water Sailing magazine. “Attendees will gain fresh new perspectives on our sailing marketplace, plus acquire new leadership skills needed for today’s challenging economic times. We’re also presenting a great mix of programs to highlight the latest in web and e-marketing tools, personal communication skills and innovative new sales ideas and tactics, all of which work together to positively impact the bottom line. Everything on the agenda is expressly designed to help our sailing businesses improve and build for the future.”

Headlining the panel of guest speakers is Chairman of the U.S. Olympic sailing program and President of the Latimer Group Dean Brenner who will give the keynote address, “Leadership Communication for the 21st Century.”

Motivational speaker and world champion sailor Vince Morvillo is also on the slate with his topic, “It’s Not Just a Recession,” which identifies key strategies to bring inspiration and leadership to teams in order to impact sales and profits. Don Cooper, “The Sales Heretic,” dispels myths and misconceptions that are holding back sales in his compelling and unorthodox address, “The Future of Selling.”

General session segments include a roundtable discussion featuring industry leaders on “Changes in the Behavior of the Sailing Consumer,” and a riveting update on “Sailing Participation Trends,” presented by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.

Optional break-out sessions include topics on social networking, changes in banking and finance, the latest internet trends, sustainability in the sailing industry, improving personal communication, and how to harness the power of the unimagined.

Highlighting the social agenda is the Industry Regatta sponsored by West Marine, on June 14 from 3 – 8 pm at J/World Annapolis where industry teams compete for bragging rights and the coveted Sailing Industry Regatta Trophy.

Conference sponsors include Title Sponsor Yanmar; Presenting Sponsors Blue Water Sailing, SAIL Magazine, The Sailing Company, Harken, GE Financial, and YachtWorld.com, Jeanneau Yachts; Regatta Sponsors West Marine, US SAILING, J World Annapolis and A.G. A Correa; Partner Sponsors Soundings Trade Only, Caffeine Interactive, Kenton Smith Marketing, and Insight Marketing & Media; and General Sponsors Sabre Yachts, Imtra Corporation, Yacht.Com, Hunter Marine, Forespar, Edson Corp., Ronstan, and Newport International Boat Show.

“We couldn’t be more pleased by the outstanding support provided by our sponsors and their willingness to step up and help us build such a solid foundation for this year’s event,” said Day. “Based on the sponsorships and the feedback to date, we’re expecting a strong response to the event and look forward to working together with our members and industry to strengthen our collective mindshare as we work together to secure a solid future for sailing.”

As a special incentive for early bird registration, Gill North America is offering a free $75 Gill bag to the first 100 registrants. For complete information on the 2010 Sailing Industry Conference and Regatta and to register online, visit www.sailamerica.com/conference or call Kimberly Tuchon or Jonathan Banks at (401) 841-0900.

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