There are a wealth of PVA safety materials, crew training tools, and management programs that members regularly use to help improve their business operations and enhance the performance of employees and crew. These valuable resources have steadily expanded in volume and variety over the years as PVA member demands increased. The interesting fact about these PVA member programs is that the majority of what is currently available was created by PVA member volunteers. Over the years, dedicated PVA members volunteered their time to develop these training tools and programs to address a variety of ever-evolving industry needs.
Volunteering not only serves to produce useful member products such as these, but it also advances a wealth of professional benefits and personal rewards for those who donate their time and effort to a project. One of the most significant professional benefits is expanded networking opportunities. Volunteers engage with a diverse community of passenger vessel operators, suppliers, and even government regulators. They often build close personal and professional relationships with the individuals with which they volunteer. These relationships are extremely valuable and connections often extend beyond the association, enriching one’s professional circle across the broader maritime sector.
By contributing to a PVA committee for example, an individual can offer their expertise and energy to any number of important industry issues. This involvement can position volunteers as thought leaders and trusted voices, opening doors to speaking engagements, advisory roles, and recognition within the field.
Another key incentive is access to insider knowledge and trends. Volunteers are often the first to learn about regulatory changes, safety innovations, and market developments, for example. This access allows them to stay ahead of the information curve, adapt quickly, and shape decision making within their company.
Beyond professional growth, volunteering with PVA offers personal fulfillment. Working with your peers contributes directly to the safety, sustainability, and success of the passenger vessel industry.
I encourage you to get involved in PVA in some way, shape, or form. There are many ways in which you can volunteer, and we are here to help you find a volunteer opportunity that fits your personality and skill sets. Please contact me at jgroundwater@passengervessel.com or pvainfo@passengervessel.com to express your interest in volunteering.
Attending PVA Meetings and Events Delivers Impressive Benefits
It is hard to put a finger on one single impression that a new member has of PVA when they attend their first region meeting or MariTrends convention. Whether they are a vessel member or an associate member, their response is often that they are overwhelmed by the wealth of information, resources, and industry contacts that are available to them professionally. In most cases, they comment that they were unaware that there was a place like PVA where they could interact with their passenger vessel industry peers and learn, contribute, and participate in such an open and sharing environment.
Fall PVA Region Meetings a Success
We have just turned the corner on fall having conducted four very successful PVA Region Meetings. PVA members gathered in Monterey, Calif., for the PVA Western Region Meeting; in Buffalo, N.Y., for a combined Great Lakes and Original Colonies Region Meeting; and in Chattanooga, Tenn., for the PVA Rivers Region Meeting.
Each region meeting included programming that explored timely topics covering firefighting reviews, marketing tips and tactics, maritime insurance overviews, mariner licensing updates, U.S. Coast Guard inspection appeals, general operations roundtable discussions, and much more.
Many thanks to those loyal PVA members who sponsored this year’s PVA region meetings. We sincerely appreciate your support.
PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2026
A Must Attend Event If you thought that the PVA Region Meetings were great you need to buckle up, because they were a warmup for what awaits you at MariTrends 2026 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center February 22-25 in Covington, Ky. The PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2026 is an event that you will not want to miss. The opportunities for you to learn and network are endless.
Sessions and Exhibitions Targeting Passenger Vessel Business There will be more than 90 speakers in more than 60 educational sessions and events that are specifically tailored to the interests of the passenger vessel industry. Attendees will have a variety of chances to network and interact with industry peers in numerous roundtable discussions about marine operations, food service, marketing, career development, and other timely topics.
The MariTrends 2026 exhibit floor will feature approximately 100 PVA member exhibitors who will showcase products and service providers from every corner of the maritime industry. On the MariTrends 2026 exhibit floor, attendees will come face-to-face with an amazing array of technologies, products, and services available industry wide.
Check out the MariTrends 2026 early bird registration deals and first timer registration specials by clicking below.
Have You Considered Speaking at MariTrends 2026?
There is a tremendous range of diverse talent and expertise among PVA’s membership. Have you considered sharing your unique expertise and knowledge by speaking at a convention session? As an example, your PVA member peers are interested in hearing your thoughts about how your company operates and succeeds and how you deal with the operational challenges facing that many passenger vessel operators. Do you have a marketing success or another topic that you would like to share? We would like to hear from you. Many PVA convention sessions turn into valuable give-and-takes where speakers and attendees alike share insights, tips, and tactics that prove to be valuable to their industry peers.
If you have an idea for a convention presentation or seminar topic, click on the button below:
We are enthusiastic about all that is being planned for the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2026 in Covington, Ky., Feb. 22-25 and we hope that you will make plans today to join us.
In the meantime, let me know whenever we can be of assistance to you.
Sincerely,
John R. Groundwater
Executive Director
John Groundwater is the Executive Director of the Passenger Vessel Association.