Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 324 OCTOBER 2016 • FOGHORN Seattle Convention Planning Is Shaping Up to Be Best Meeting Ever In my first letter to appear in this space as PVA President earlier this year, I wrote about how the success of the PVA Annual Convention and MariTrends comes from a team effort of the Convention Committee, the PVA staff, the guidance of the Board of Directors, and, of course, the attendees and exhibitors: PVA Vessel and Associate members. Beaver Island Boat Company has been a member of PVA since 1990, and I have attended many PVA Conventions and Region Meetings, and have always found the information that I learned at each one to be valuable, relevant, and important. But it wasn’t until just recently that I came to truly understand what it takes to create an event of this caliber. After each PVA Convention, the staff asks attendees and exhibitors to complete a survey to rate the event and provide feedback for future events. This information is carefully evaluated and decisions are made based on the input received by survey respondents. Then, there is the feedback from the PVA Associate Council and their thoughts and suggestions for making MariTrends, the only trade show dedicated solely to the domestic passenger vessel industry, even better and more beneficial than it already is. The goal is to present a forum that brings together vessel operators and suppliers to offer innovative products, services, and solutions for every type of vessel operation in the U.S. Finally, the collaboration of the PVA Convention Committee, comprising PVA members—both Vessel and Associate—and the PVA staff form the basis of the Convention using all the input from the attendee surveys and the Associate Council to develop the programming and networking components that make up the premier meeting for our industry. Hundreds of hours are poured into identifying session topics and speakers that offer the information that vessel operators need to be successful. New ideas are added to the mix to generate energy, enthusiasm and interest in attendees, particularly those who may not have attended a PVAconvention in the past. Even the lodging options have been given a fresh review. For the upcoming meeting, which will be held January 29-February 1, 2017 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, WA, I believe that attendees will be wowed by the high level educational sessions, the profes- sionalism of the presenters, the spectrum of products and services on hand at MariTrends, and the engaging networking opportunities that will abound throughout this event. What’s New and What Cannot Be Missed in 2017 Starts on Sunday This year, the convention officially opens on Sunday, January 29 and runs through Wednesday, February 1. Welcome Reception All PVA Convention attendees are invited to an opening Welcome Reception on the evening of January 28 in advance of the official opening of the meeting bright and early on Sunday morning. PVA Ticketing and Reservation Software Roundtable Join the discussion on the latest in reservation and ticketing software products and services. Sales and Marketing Conference This wildly success- ful conference returns this year with a line-up of up-to- date marketing topics and joins the Ferry Conference, New Technologies Conference, and Green WATERS Conference with information tailored to specific areas of interest. Two Hotels Options PVA attendees have the choice of staying in one of two hotel properties located close to the Washington State Convention Center in Downtown Seattle: the traditional Grand Hyatt and the Hyatt at Olive 8, which offers eco-friendly lodging in a LEED-certified environment. Safety Awards Presentations of the Roger Murphy National Marine Safety Award and the Captain Elizabeth Gedney Passenger Vessel Safety Award Region Competition Passenger Vessel Foundation Region Tug-of-War Competition More information on PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2017 will be forthcoming soon. I look forward to seeing you in Seattle this winter. Sincerely, Sincerely, Margo Marks President n LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Margo Marks 2017