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 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 406 MARCH 2017 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: CONVENTION REVIEW T he PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2017, January 29 - February 1 in Seattle, was one for the record books. The con- vention’s educational focus was one for the record books and featured 98 sessions led by 119 speakers. MariTrends 2017’s trade show floor was filled to capacity with exhibitors offering a wide spectrum of products and services for the passenger vessel industry making it the largest trade show in MariTrends’ history. Spirits were high throughout the convention with a feeling of confidence about the direction that the passenger vessel industry is heading this year. With the number of new vessels recently delivered or now under construction and new service and routes being introduced, the passenger vessel industry is vibrant and growing. Substantive Educational Offerings The convention offered an array of educational offerings that allowed vessel operators to learn about virtually every aspect of marine operations. As expected, safety-related sessions were very well attended. Regulatory-related sessions attracted a wide audience. These sessions offered the latest informa- tion from experts from a number of agencies including personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Transportation Security Administration, as well as from industry experts. A large number of operations, propulsion, and vessel construction-related sessions were featured this year, and were a big hit with attendees. These sessions offered critical information that vessel operators can use to improve their operations on a daily and annual basis, as well as showcasing new technologies that will dramati- cally improve efficiencies and service opportunities in the very near future. Educational sessions that were aimed at sales, marketing and public information were intensely popular with attendees. The second PVA Sales and Marketing Conference offered a plethora of new tips and technologies to attract new Record Attendance at PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2017 Fueled by Optimism By Karen Rainbolt, FOGHORN Managing Editor ▲ Top Row: (l-r) Participants of the Flagship user group receive recog- nition (not pictured, Don Fromm); Kenneth Svendsen, CEO of Enter- tainment Cruises, spoke at the open- ing General Session about purpose- driven organizations. Bottom row: Ron Panzero, 2nd from right, receives the Roger Murphy Na- tional Maritime Safety Award; Drive- line Service of Portland, Inc. rep- resentatives speak to MariTrends 2017 attendees.