Kick Off the 2023 MRA Conference and Trade Show at Safe Harbor Cabrillo Isle 

for Sea Trials of all Electric Vessels and Hosted Lunch!

Monday, October 16th,

will feature sea trials beginning

at 12:30pm – running on the

half-hour through 3pm.

Lunch hosted by the

San Pedro Fish Market!

Join our president Kate Pearson at Safe Harbor Cabrillo Isle to experience pure electric sea power. Join local elected officials and leaders of the San Diego Harbor working group to kick off the Sea Trials on the opening day of our annual Conference. 

New member San Pedro Fish Market will host lunch for the event complete with a signature Michelada mixing demonstration.

This year’s MRA Conference is themed Acknowledgment and Appreciation, will focus on the future, looking forward to new challenges and achievements in the marine industry with a broad prospectus of industry experts and information covering key industry operations, management, and marketing concerns.

The Marine Trade Show will present the latest technology, products, and services from leading industry vendors and contractors focused on innovation, growth, and profitability as the marine industry evolves in today’s changing world.

Monday, October 16, 2023 

Trial times: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM

The Electric Boat Sea Trials will be held at Safe Harbor Cabrillo Isle, 1450 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego 92101 offering attendees an opportunity to experience first-hand the emerging electric boat technology and learn more about the myriad of opportunities and potential challenges facing the marine industry as this technology evolves. Each trial time will be approximately 30 minutes. Reservations are required and transportation to the marina is NOT provide, but car-pooling is always an option.

Don’t miss the Sea Trials, critical presentations and more!

>>> Sign up TODAY! <<<

Registration and event information for the

2023 MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show,

October 16 - 18 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort,

is posted now on the MRA website at www.marina.org or

go directly to the Conference website at https://marina.swoogo.com/2023conf/begin

Special hotel rates are also being offered at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort from October 14th to the 18th, and attendees are invited to come early and stay late to enjoy the wonderful Southern California weather and amenities overlooking the white sand beaches and blue Pacific Ocean.

The Marine Recreation Association is a professional organization that represents marina owners, operators, and industry professionals located throughout the western United States with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Created more than 51 years ago, the MRA actively promotes and represents recreational boating interests while providing educational management and operations seminars, and information for marine industry owners, operators, and staff.

For additional information about the MRA and all its activities and interests, please contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661 or email at mra@marina.org.

KICK OFF!

...the 2023 MRA Conference and Trade Show

at Safe Harbor Sunroad for Sea Trials of

all Electric Vessels and Hosted Lunch.

 Monday, October 16th,

will feature sea trials

beginning at 12:30pm,

running on the half-hour

through 3pm.

Lunch hosted by the

San Pedro Fish Market!

Join our president Kate Pearson at Safe Harbor Sunroad to experience pure electric sea power. Join local elected officials and leaders of the San Diego Harbor working group to kick off the Sea Trials on the opening day of our annual Conference. 

New member San Pedro Fish Market will host lunch for the event complete with a signature Michelada mixing demonstration.

This year’s MRA Conference is themed Acknowledgment and Appreciation, and will focus on the future, looking forward to new challenges and achievements in the marine industry with a broad prospectus of industry experts and information covering key industry operations, management, and marketing concerns.

The Marine Trade Show will present the latest technology, products, and services from leading industry vendors and contractors focused on innovation, growth, and profitability as the marine industry evolves in today’s changing world.

Monday, October 16, 2023 

Trial times: 12:30pm to 3:00pm

The Electric Boat Sea Trials will be held at Safe Harbor Sunroad Marina offering attendees an opportunity to experience first-hand the emerging electric boat technology and learn more about the myriad of opportunities and potential challenges facing the marine industry as this technology evolves. Each trial time will be approximately 30 minutes. Reservations are required and transportation to the marina is NOT provide, but car-pooling is always an option.

Don’t miss the Sea Trials, critical presentations and more!

>>> Sign up TODAY! <<<

Registration and event information for the

2023 MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show,

October 16 - 18 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort,

is posted now on the MRA website at www.marina.org or

go directly to the Conference website at https://marina.swoogo.com/2023conf/begin

Special hotel rates are also being offered at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort from October 14th to the 18th, and attendees are invited to come early and stay late to enjoy the wonderful Southern California weather and amenities overlooking the white sand beaches and blue Pacific Ocean.

The Marine Recreation Association is a professional organization that represents marina owners, operators, and industry professionals located throughout the western United States with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Created more than 51 years ago, the MRA actively promotes and represents recreational boating interests while providing educational management and operations seminars, and information for marine industry owners, operators, and staff.

For additional information about the MRA and all its activities and interests, please contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661 oremail at mra@marina.org.

MRA Conference Classroom Seminars Focus on:

Future of Marina Operations, Electric Boat Infrastructure, and Economic Impacts

The afternoon break-out classroom seminar sessions during

the 51st Annual MRA Educational Conference and Trade Show

will provide attendees with a broad prospectus of industry experts and

information covering key industry operations, management, and marketing concerns

with a focus on optimizing customer satisfaction, business growth,

regulatory compliance, and fiscal results.

On Day-2 of the Conference, Tuesday, October 17th, at 4:00 PM, Session 3 – Topic #1; Issues Changing the Marina Landscape, will provide an open forum discussion lead by the panel of Kate Pearson, Safe Harbor Marinas, VP of Business Development / Gary Jones, LA County Beaches & Harbors Director / and Jim Hayes, Almar Marinas COO, addressing critical issues effecting current and future marina operations. All attendees will be encouraged to discuss their marina operations and approaches they have utilized to handle new challenges in todays evolving marina environment.

At the same time, Session 3 – Topic #2; How to Embrace Electric Boating Without Spending Millions on Infrastructure, will feature a panel discussion lead by the dynamic trio of

Paul Blank, City of Newport Beach Harbormaster / Scott Canning, Aqua superPower, VP Business Development North America / and Leonora Valvo, Vita Power, CEO North America. The City of Newport Beach is leading the way in adoption of electric boat technology at their marinas, and Vita Power and Aqua superPower are in the forefront of electric boat technology development. This should prove to be a very enlightening session.

Session 3 – Topic #3; California Boating & Economic Impact, presented by Mark Smith, NMMA California Lobbyist, will take an in-depth look at the influence that recreational boating has had on the California economy and outdoor recreation. The presentation will also focus on current boating activity statistics and trends with forecasts of future boating activity. Mark has been working with the NMMA for five years and been a driving force in the creation of legislation favoring the boating industry.

Don’t miss these critical presentations and more!

Registration and event information for the 

2023 MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show, October 16 – 18 at the

Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort,

is posted now on the MRA website at www.marina.org or

go directly to the Conference website at

https://marina.swoogo.com/2023conf/begin

Special hotel rates are also being offered at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort from October 14th to the 18th, and attendees are invited to come early and stay late to enjoy the wonderful Southern California weather and amenities overlooking the white sand beaches and blue Pacific Ocean.

The Marine Recreation Association is a professional organization that represents marina owners, operators, and industry professionals located throughout the western United States with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Created more than 51 years ago, the MRA actively promotes and represents recreational boating interests while providing educational management and operations seminars, and information for marine industry owners, operators, and staff.

For additional information about the MRA and all its activities and interests, please contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661 or email at mra@marina.org.

How will 

Offshore Windmill Farms 

affect the 

Coastal Marine Industry?

The 2023 MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show

will provide insight into many marine industry issues,

but none may be more controversial than that broached by California AB 525 (2021)

and the creation of offshore windmill farms along the coast.

Following the General Session and Keynote Speech on Tuesday, October 17th, at 9:45am, Mike Conroy, West Coast Director, Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, will discuss the current state-of-affairs regarding offshore wind energy facilities off the California coast. 



Mike will review the potential impacts of California AB525 (2021), which tasked the California Energy Commission with developing a strategic plan for offshore wind energy developments installed off the California coast in federal waters. Intended to produce more than 25,000 gigawatts of wind generated power by 2045, the initiative would result in roughly 3,000 square miles of California coastal ocean to be designated for wind farm development.

What will the potential impacts of this development be on the marine environment, fishing activities, recreational boating, and whale migrations along the coast? How will the state’s ports, harbors, and marinas be affected? Environmental and other studies are still on-going, and Mr. Conroy will review some findings from these and provide further insight into applicable state and federal legislative efforts focused on this nascent industry.

This year’s MRA Conference theme, 
Acknowledgment and Appreciation, will focus
on the future, looking forward to new challenges and achievements in the marine industry.

The Conference will feature
a broad prospectus of industry experts and information covering key industry operations, management,
and marketing concerns.

The Marine Trade Show will present the latest technology, products, and services from leading industry vendors and contractors focused on innovation, growth, and profitability as the marine industry evolves in today’s changing world.

Registration and event information for the2023 MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show, 

scheduled for October 16 – 18 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort,

is posted now on the MRA website at www.marina.org or

go directly to the Conference website at https://marina.swoogo.com/2023conf/begin

Special hotel rates are also being offered at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort from October 14th to the 18th, and attendees are invited to come early and stay late to enjoy the wonderful Southern California weather and amenities overlooking the white sand beaches and blue Pacific Ocean.

The Marine Recreation Association is a professional organization that represents marina owners, operators, and industry professionals located throughout the western United States with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Created more than 51 years ago, the MRA actively promotes and represents recreational boating interests while providing educational management and operations seminars, and information for marine industry owners, operators, and staff.

For additional information about the MRA and all its activities and interests, please contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661 or email at mra@marina.org.

KEY MARINA OPERATIONS 

CHALLENGES 

HIGHLIGHT DAY-2 SEMINAR SESSIONS AT 

ANNUAL MRA CONFERENCE

A trio of marina operations topics will lead-off the afternoon breakout seminar sessions

after the morning Conference General Session and luncheon on Tuesday, October 17th.

Beginning at 1:30 PM, Session 1 – Topic #1; State of the Coastal Marina, will take an in-depth look at the statistics, market trends, and transformative potential within the coastal marina industry segment. Presented by Kevin Ketchum, Principal at California Yacht Marina, and Kate Pearson, Vice President of Business Development at Safe Harbor Marinas, with their extensive experience operating coastal marinas, this session will provide critical information for marina owners, developers, and investors to stay ahead of the curve and shape the future of coastal marina operations.

At the same time, Session 1 – Topic #2; Employment Challenges, will feature a round-table discussion and comprehensive review of a recent marine industry Wage Survey focused on both public and private marine operations. This session, lead by Jim Hayes, Almar Marinas COO, and Jeremy Grewal, Safe Harbor Marinas West Coast Regional VP, will provide a detailed analysis of wage levels across various roles ranging from maintenance to administrative positions, and explore effective strategies aimed at minimizing staff turnover. This promises to be a highly engaging interactive session with a dedicated Q & A segment at the end.

Session 1 – Topic #3; Design & Cost Considerations for Marina Dredging, presented by Dr. Joshua Burnam, Partner & Principal at Anchor QEA, will focus on design, cost considerations, project bidding, and project management for marina dredging. Josh has extensive experience with west coast dredging projects, including serving as a Senior Regulatory Project Manager and Regional SME for Dredging with the US Armer Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program. Specific topics will include planning and budgeting; permitting and compliance; sediment testing; and project design, bid, and construction management to help marina owners and operators better understand the many challenges associated with marina dredging projects

This year’s MRA Conference theme, Acknowledgment and Appreciation, will focus on the future, looking forward to new challenges and achievements in the marine industry. The Conference will feature a broad prospectus of industry experts and information covering key industry operations, management, and marketing concerns. The Marine Trade Show will present the latest technology, products, and services from leading industry vendors and contractors focused on innovation, growth, and profitability as the marine industry evolves in today’s changing world.

Registration and event information for the

2023 MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show, scheduled for October 16 – 18 at the

Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort, is posted now on the MRA website at www.marina.org or

go directly to the Conference website at https://marina.swoogo.com/2023conf/begin

Special hotel rates are also being offered at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort from October 14th to the 18th, and attendees are invited to come early and stay late to enjoy the wonderful Southern California weather and amenities overlooking the white sand beaches and blue Pacific Ocean.

The Marine Recreation Association is a professional organization that represents marina owners, operators, and industry professionals located throughout the western United States with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Created more than 51 years ago, the MRA actively promotes and represents recreational boating interests while providing educational management and operations seminars, and information for marine industry owners, operators, and staff.

For additional information about the MRA and all its activities and interests, please contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661 or email at mra@marina.org.

 MRA Educational Conference will feature special ELECTRIC BOAT SEA TRIALS for Attendees

Day-1 of the 51st Annual Marine Recreation Association (MRA) Educational Conference & Trade Show, set for October 16 - 18, will provide Conference attendees with an opportunity to experience first-hand emerging electric boat technology as it is poised to transform recreational boating.

The Electric Boat Sea Trials will start at 12:30 pm on October 16th at the Safe Harbor Sunroad Marina,
955 Harbor Island Drive in San Diego.

Participants will be able to choose from four boat models from Vita Electric Boats and the Safe Harbor Electric Boat Fleet.
Each 20-to-30-minute trial run will accommodate six persons per boat with the last trial scheduled for 2:30 PM.

> There will be no charge for this special pre-conference event, but attendees must make a reservation when registering for the conference.

> Snacks and drinks will also be provided for everyone at the marina, and boat-friendly footwear is required.

> Transportation to the marina will NOT be provided and carpooling is encouraged.

Registration and event information for the

2023 MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show is

posted now on the MRA website at www.marina.org or

go directly to the Conference website at

https://marina.swoogo.com/2023conf/begin

>>> Register early to take advantage of the savings today! <<<



This year’s Conference theme, Acknowledgment and Appreciation, will focus on the future, looking forward to new challenges and achievements in the marine industry. The Conference will feature a broad prospectus of industry experts and information covering key industry operations, management, and marketing concerns. The Marine Trade Show will present the latest technology, products, and services from leading industry vendors and contractors focused on innovation, growth, and profitability as the marine industry evolves in today’s changing world.

Special hotel rates are also being offered at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort from October 14th to the 18th, and attendees are invited to come early and stay late to enjoy the wonderful Southern California weather and amenities overlooking the white sand beaches and blue Pacific Ocean.

The Marine Recreation Association is a professional organization that represents marina owners, operators, and industry professionals located throughout the western United States with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Created more than 51 years ago, the MRA actively promotes and represents recreational boating interests while providing educational management and operations seminars, and information for marine industry owners, operators, and staff.

For additional information about the MRA and all of its activities and interests, please contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661 or email at mra@marina.org.