For Immediate Release

COVID-19 Emergency Loans available for Marine Industry Small Businesses

The Corona Virus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act recently passed by Congress allocates $350 billion in 100% federally guaranteed loans to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn.

These loans are being offered and administered now through the SBA and local banks. Loans can be up to 2.5X the borrower's monthly payroll costs, not to exceed $10 million, and are available to small businesses (less than 500 employees) and self-employed individuals during the ensuing 12 week period.

• Interest rate on these loans is capped at .5%
• Terms are 2 years with payments deferred for up to 6 months

Loan Forgiveness . . . Borrowers are eligible for loan forgiveness, not to exceed the principle, equal to the amount spent on the following business expenses:

• Payroll, up to a maximum annual salary proration of $100,000 per employee, including wages, tips, commissions, net self-employment income, group health care benefits and premiums, vacation pay, sick pay, family leave pay, retirement benefit payments, and state & local taxes
• Interest on mortgage obligations incurred in the normal course of business
• Rent on a business lease agreement
• Utility payments, including electricity, gas, water, transportation, telephone and internet

Loan forgiveness may be reduced if there is a reduction in the number of employees or a reduction in the wages paid to employees greater than 25%.

Lender Evaluation . . . Loans will be processed through local lenders per SBA / CARES guidelines. Lenders will consider whether borrower was in operation before February 15, 2020 and had employees for whom they paid salaries and payroll taxes and/or paid independent contractors.

Lenders will also ask for good faith certification that:

• The uncertainty of current economic conditions makes the loan request necessary to support ongoing operations
• The borrower will use the loan proceeds to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage, lease, and utility payments
• Borrower does not have any other duplicative loan applications pending
• From February 15, 2020 to December 31, 2020, the borrower has not received a loan duplicative of the purposes and amounts applied for here

If applicant is an independent contractor, sole proprietor, or self-employed   individual, lenders will also look for certain documents such as payroll tax filings, form 1099-Misc, and income / expense statements or tax returns.

Lenders will NOT consider whether the borrower sought and was not approved for credit elsewhere.

Personal guarantees and collateral are not required for these loans.

For more information about the Corona Virus Emergency Loan Program contact your local lending institution and go online at www.sba.gov and www.uschamber.com/co

The COVID 19 situation and economic impact is constantly evolving, and we will continue to notify our members and the marine industry of future developments.

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 49 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, contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661, email at mra@marina.org or go online at http://www.marina.org.

California Boating Congress Convenes Ad Hoc Legislative Review Phone Conference

With the cancellation of the 2020 California Boating Congress due to the ensuing COVID-19 crisis, the Marine Recreation Association called together other marine industry partners for an ad hoc phone conference with Platinum Advisors, the MRA legislative lobbyists, to review pending legislation in the California Congress on March 30th.

Representatives from the MRA Board of Directors, NMMA, CAHMPC, CYBA, RBOC and other marine industry interests participated in the phone conference that was led by Beau Biller, Lobbyist at Platinum Advisers, and reviewed four pending Measures.

AB 2809 was introduced February 20, 2020, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources March 12, 2020. This bill is aimed at controlling some of the regulatory excesses that BCDC has exercised in the past, and would require that the San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission create and implement procedures to provide managerial review of staff decisions in enforcement, timelines for resolving enforcement cases, and a penalty matrix for assessing fines and civil penalties. A general consensus of agreement and support for this measure was expressed by the group.

SB 883 was introduced January 23, 2020, and would revise the definition of a for-hire vessel to include a vessel propelled by machinery carrying one or more passengers for hire to be operated by an operator with a valid license. Current law defines a for-hire vessel to include those carrying 3 passengers or more. Some ambiguities exist in the wording of this measure and it was recommended that these be clarified by Platinum Advisers before any support or opposition is expressed. Hearings for this bill have been postponed for the time being.

SB 904 supplements current law generally requiring all undocumented vessels using the waterways of the state to be currently registered in California and properly numbered. This bill would additionally require law enforcement citing a person for various violations, including the failure to properly number the vessel as specified, to prepare a notice to the violator to correct the violation and deliver proof of the correction to the issuing agency in lieu of arrest, unless a disqualifying condition exists. This bill was introduced February 3, 2020 and referred to the Transportation Committee on February 12, 2020, and generally supported in the meeting.

SB 1080 This bill supplants current law, allowing a properly licensed person to bring ashore a fish taken in California inland waters in a condition such that its size or weight cannot be determined if the fish is cleaned at the end of a fishing trip while still on the water and temporarily berthed or landed on a dock or other permanent structure. Current law makes it unlawful to possess or bring ashore any fish in a condition that its weight or size cannot be determined. Introduced February 19, 2020, hearings have been postponed for the time being. This Measure was generally supported in the meeting.

Additional information on these and other pending legislation in California can be accessed at www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov 

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 49 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, contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661, email at mra@marina.org or go online at http://www.marina.org.

 5th annual 'California Boating Congress' . . . Your Opportunity to make a Difference! 

This year's annual California Boating Congress is set for March 30th and 31st at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Sacramento. The Marine Recreation Association is again sponsoring this important event and has posted the CBC Agenda and registration information at www.calboatingcongress.com 

For the fifth year in a row, the CBC will bring the marine industry and boating community together at the California State Capital to meet with state legislators and regulators to remind them of the importance and economic impact of the marine industry and recreational boating in California.

This year's CBC will kick off Monday evening, March 30th at 5:30 PM, with the Opening Night Legislative Reception for attendees at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1209 L. Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, giving attendees an opportunity to meet and mingle before the main event on Tuesday.

MRA President, Scott Robertson, will welcome attendees to the CBC at 8:30 AM on Tuesday morning at the Hyatt Regency Conference Center, and review the day's activities and objectives with attendees.

Robert Newsome, Senior Vice President, Operations for the National Marine Manufacturers Association, will be the Keynote Speaker, and will provide an important overview of the Economic Impact of the Marine Industry and Boating in California. As one of the top boating states in the nation, the recreational boating and fishing industry in California delivers more than $13 billion in economic impact, accounting for 40,000 jobs in the state each year. Mr. Newsome will be discussing boating participation, boat sales statistics and other important trends in the industry resulting from Californian's passion for boating and fishing.

Three other morning presentations will follow, including discussions about reforming recreational fishing license programs, the impact of California income, sales & use taxes on the industry, and the potential for creation of a new state department for boating and outdoor recreation. Beau Biller from Platinum Advisors will also provide a summary of legislative and regulatory issues affecting recreational boating in the state, and will review the schedule, along with guidelines and instructions, for the afternoon meetings with legislators.

Lunch will be served at the Hyatt Conference Center, and then attendees will proceed to the State Capital for scheduled meetings with individual legislative representatives throughout the afternoon.

This year's Congress is being co-hosted by the MRA and eleven other boating related groups, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association, California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference, Boat U.S., Personal Watercraft Industry Association, California Sportfishing League, California Delta Chambers & Visitors Bureau, Recreational Boaters of California, Sacramento Valley Marine Association, California Association of Harbor Masters & Port Captains, California Yacht Brokers Associations, and the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association.

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 49 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, contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661, email at mra@marina.org or go online at  http://www.marina.org.

Optimize Your Capital Improvement Project Planning and Results . . .

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) in the marine industry are rarely the same in scope and/or desired results, and cookie-cutter solutions rarely produce the best project improvements and economic benefits. One common factor that all CIPs do share however, is that they all cost a LOT of money.

Return on Investment is a critical element of all successful capital improvement projects, and asking the right questions is key. How much will it cost? Will it pay back over time, and how much? And how soon will it pay a return? Answering these questions will help answer the biggest question of all; "How do we pay for this?" But understanding and maximizing the potential ROI on a capital expenditure is not always an intuitive and easy process, and getting good answers requires some analysis and planning.

James "J" Mills, Western Regional Sales Manager, RME, Meeco Sullivan, LLC, will present a seminar session on Tuesday, October 22nd, at 2:15 PM, at this year's MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show, covering "Planning, Designing, and Paying-For your next Capital Improvement Project". J. has been involved in the commercial and recreational marine industry for more than twenty years as a manager, consultant, and contractor, and has directed the operations, planning, and capital improvements for numerous coastal and inland marine facilities.

This presentation will provide examples of the planning and design process along with some of the key analysis and planning tools used to develop critical information leading to the optimum capital improvement project and ROI. The presentation will also provide examples of several marine facility renovation projects illustrating some potential pitfalls to be avoided.

The 2019, 48th Annual MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show will run for three days (October 21 - 23) with more than thirty educational seminars and special presentations focused on meeting the new challenges and potential facing the industry today. Strategies for enhancing guest services and customer satisfaction, improving operations and regulatory compliance, and optimizing fiscal results, will be featured in Conference seminars, and an expansive Trade Show featuring more than fifty industry vendors and services will provide additional information focused on innovation, growth, and profitability . . . all taking place at the beautiful Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Hotel Conference Center in sunny San Diego.

Register Today

At www.marina.org/2019conference

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 48 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, email at mra@marina.org or go online at http://www.marina.org. 

Are You Safe or Sunk?

Verifying and Interpreting Insurance Coverage

Protecting your marina and boatyard, and avoiding potential lawsuits, from uninsured or underinsured boaters, vendors and contractors is a critical risk management issue.

The Marine Recreation Association has scheduled the first in their series of Regional Training Seminars for marina operators and management staff, focused on the importance of verifying and interpreting various insurance coverages that should be required.
Does that Certificate of Insurance truly cover the contractors and others you let work on your marina premises? Are you exposed and liable in the event of property damage, injury or death caused by others, even though you may be named “Additional Insured” on their policy?
This training session will guide you through steps to ensure that your marina or boatyard is protected from uninsured or underinsured boaters, vendors and contractors, and will teach you how to read and interpret Certificates of Insurance and policy Declaration Pages correctly.
The three-hour course is designed to be interactive and will be led by Jim Oberg, Property Casualty Insurance Agent with Douglas K. Smith Marine Insurance Services, Inc., and Shelley Griffin, Director of Marina Operations at The Bay Club Hotel & Marina. Jim has been in the Marine Insurance business for seventeen years, and has worked as a shipwright, deckhand, and boat delivery hand on both coasts and Mexico. Shelley has managed the premier marina operations at The Bay Club since 2005, and been actively involved in marine industry regulatory, legislative, and environmental issues.
Their presentation will explore the different business and ownership structures (sole proprietor, corporation, LLC, etc.) and what type of coverage you should require from each to protect your marina or boatyard from unexpected but inevitable events. The course will also touch on the new AB-5 legislation and how it affects insurance coverage based on worker classifications, and the importance of MGL / SRLL Insurance so you can be confident that you took all the necessary steps to protect your business and others within your marina and boatyard environment.
The upcoming Are You Safe or Sunk? seminar locations and schedule are as follow:

 

Registration

If postmarked before 5 business day prior to the event	MRA Member Price	Non - MRA Member Price
First Attendee	$139.00	$169.00
Additional Attendees	$119.00	$149.00
If postmarked after 5 business day prior to the event	MRA Member Price	Non MRA Member Price
First Attendee	$159.00	$189.00
Additional Attendees	$139.00	$159.00

For additional information and to register, contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661, or email at mra@marina.org 

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 49 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.

Optimize Your Capital Improvement Project Planning and Results . . .

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) in the marine industry are rarely the same in scope and/or desired results, and cookie-cutter solutions rarely produce the best project improvements and economic benefits. One common factor that all CIPs do share however, is that they all cost a LOT of money.

Return on Investment is a critical element of all successful capital improvement projects, and asking the right questions is key. How much will it cost? Will it pay back over time, and how much? And how soon will it pay a return? Answering these questions will help answer the biggest question of all; "How do we pay for this?" But understanding and maximizing the potential ROI on a capital expenditure is not always an intuitive and easy process, and getting good answers requires some analysis and planning.

James "J" Mills, Western Regional Sales Manager, RME, Meeco Sullivan, LLC, will present a seminar session on Tuesday, October 22nd, at 2:15 PM, at this year's MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show, covering "Planning, Designing, and Paying-For your next Capital Improvement Project". J. has been involved in the commercial and recreational marine industry for more than twenty years as a manager, consultant, and contractor, and has directed the operations, planning, and capital improvements for numerous coastal and inland marine facilities.

This presentation will provide examples of the planning and design process along with some of the key analysis and planning tools used to develop critical information leading to the optimum capital improvement project and ROI. The presentation will also provide examples of several marine facility renovation projects illustrating some potential pitfalls to be avoided.

The 2019, 48th Annual MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show will run for three days (October 21 - 23) with more than thirty educational seminars and special presentations focused on meeting the new challenges and potential facing the industry today. Strategies for enhancing guest services and customer satisfaction, improving operations and regulatory compliance, and optimizing fiscal results, will be featured in Conference seminars, and an expansive Trade Show featuring more than fifty industry vendors and services will provide additional information focused on innovation, growth, and profitability . . . all taking place at the beautiful Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Hotel Conference Center in sunny San Diego.

Register Today

At www.marina.org/2019conference

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 48 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, email at mra@marina.org or go online at http://www.marina.org. 

Early Registration for MRA's 48th Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show ends tomorrow!

The 48th Annual Marine Recreation Association Educational Conference & Trade Show is scheduled for October 21 - 23, 2019 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort in San Diego, CA. overlooking Torrey Pine's spectacular, golf courses, beaches, and the blue Pacific Ocean.

Information and registration for the Conference, and special hotel rates, are now available on the MRA website at www.marina.org/2019conference with special Early Registration for attendees ends tomorrow, July 31, 2019.

Imagine the possibilities and potential for your marine operations and business as the marine industry continues to evolve in today's rapidly changing world.

The three day Conference will focus on meeting the new challenges and potential facing the industry today. Strategies for enhancing guest services and customer satisfaction, improving operations and regulatory compliance, and optimizing fiscal results, will be featured in Conference seminars and roundtable discussions covering key marine industry management, operations, and marketing concerns. An extensive Trade Show exhibiting the latest technology, products, and services from industry vendors and contractors will provide additional information focused on innovation, growth, and profitability.

The Conference will kick off on Monday morning, October 21st, with three special events:

• The "Introduction to Marina Operations" seminar, designed to enhance industry skills and knowledge for both new and seasoned marina and boatyard managers and employees, with a broad perspective of marine operations and best management practices.
• The 7th Annual MRA Marina & Boatyard Tour will visit a number of San Diego marina and boatyard facilities, providing an in-depth view of some world-class marine operations.
• The 25rd Annual MRA Golf Tournament will tee-off at the Torrey Pines North Golf Course, recently renovated by Tom Weiskopf, and renowned for its sweeping beauty and enjoyable play.

A Welcome Reception for all attendees and guests will be held Monday evening in the Conference Trade Show pavilion at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Conference Center. Regular Conference seminars, Trade Show exhibits, and other events will continue Tuesday through Wednesday.

The MRA Annual Educational Conference & Trade Show is the perfect opportunity for all marine industry professionals to meet and share experiences and effective strategies to better manage an ever-evolving business environment.

Attendees are encouraged to register early. Special hotel rates, in particular, are expected to sell out, and conference Early Registration rates for attendees will end July 31, 2019.

The Marine Recreation Association is a professional organization that represents marina owners, operators, and other marine industry professionals located throughout the western United States, with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Created more than 46 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, email at mra@marina.org or go online at http://www.marina.org. 

Marine Shock Hazards Code Compliance, and Corrosion in the Marina

The Marine Recreation Association is sponsoring the first of their Regional Training Seminars for marina operators and employees covering the complications and potential hazards of electrical systems in a marine environment

This first series titled Shock Hazards, Code Compliance, and Corrosion in the Marina will be presented at four California marina locations during May by Malcolm Morgan, Marine Electrician, Malcolm Morgan Marine / M3. The four hour seminars will provide in-depth information covering the often-misunderstood dynamics of electrolysis, corrosion, and shock hazards at marina and port facilities, and the potential liability posed for Harbormasters, marina owners, managers, and others.

Malcolm is an ABYC Certified Marine Electrician with over 40 years of experience in marine electrical and corrosion control systems.  His long career in the marine industry, includes affiliations with ABYC, NFPA, NAMS, and SAMS, and experience working with many Bay Area marine facilities, and state and federal agencies. "Understanding the building codes and regulations governing the operation, inspection, and maintenance of marine electrical systems is critical in today's business environment," says Malcolm.

The seminars will cover existing NFPA 303 electrical codes and regulations requiring waterfront facilities to do annual electrical inspections, and appropriate testing procedures and record keeping protocol. Attendees will participate in classroom and hands-on training of basic inspection and testing methods utilizing appropriate testing tools to monitor electrical systems and troubleshoot hazardous conditions. Malcolm will also discuss how electrolysis and corrosion may affect dock systems, vessel drives, and other marine components, and how to respond to boat owner complaints regarding zinc consumption, corrosion damage, electrical surges, and potential threats of litigation.

Other topics will include the proper use of shore power connections, electrical cords and adaptors, and methods of mitigating associated shock and fire risks. Handouts and reference materials will be provided to all attendees.

The upcoming Shock Hazards, Code Compliance, and Corrosion in the Marina seminar locations and schedule are as follows:

• Alameda - Tuesday, May 7, 2019 (8:30 am - 12:30 pm) at Safe Harbor Ballena Isle Marina,1150 Ballena Blvd., Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 523-5528

• Sacramento - Wednesday, May 8, 2019 (10am - 2 pm) at City of Sacramento Marina, 2710 Ramp Way, Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 808-5712

• San Diego - Wednesday, May 29, 2019 (8:30 am - 12:30 pm) at The Bay Club Marina, 2131 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106 (619) 224-8888

• Los Angeles - Thursday, May 30, 2019 (8:30 am - 12:30 pm) at California Yacht Marina - Cabrillo Marina, 224 Whalers Walk, San Pedro, CA 90731 (310)732-2252

Pricing for MRA members and others does not include lunch, and early reservations are recommended as these training sessions do fill up quickly.

Early registration, postmarked 5 days prior to seminar: 

                               MRA Member             Non-Member

First Attendee                 $139                           $169

Additional Attendees    $119                           $149

Registration, postmarked 4 days or less prior to seminar:

MRA Member        Non-Member

First Attendee                 $159                          $189

Additional Attendees      $139                        $159

For additional information and to register, contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661, email at mra@marina.org or go online at http://www.marina.org.

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 47 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.

'California Boating Congress' Registration - Reservation DEADLINES Approaching . . .

The 2019 California Boating Congress will kick off on Wednesday March 6th for the fourth year in a row bringing the marine industry and recreational boating to the State Capital to chart the future of boating policy in California.

With growing participation and enthusiasm, this CBC promises to be both informative and effective, giving recreational boating a strong collective voice advocating for issues affecting this important part of our state economy and culture.

A special evening cocktail reception will be held for early attendees at the Hilton Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade Hotel on Tuesday, March 5th at 5:30 PM giving everyone an opportunity to meet and mingle before Wednesday's main event.

A limited number of special hotel rates are still available for Tuesday night at the Embassy Suites, if booked NO Later Than February 12th . . . to book your room at the CBC go online to www.sacramento.embassysuites.com or phone 916-326-5000. Be sure to mention the "CBC Discount Rate" or enter the Group Code: "CBC" when making reservations.

This year's CBC main event will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade Hotel, 100 Capital Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814, starting Wednesday at 8:30 AM

Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference!

The deadline for the EARLY Registration Rate of $179 will be February 15th . . . For more information, and to register NOW visit www.marina.org/2019BoatingCongress or contact Mariann Timms at 209-334-0661.

Following the morning meetings and lunch, attendees will proceed to the State Capital for meetings with individual legislative representatives throughout the afternoon. Opportunities to meet with state representatives are being scheduled NOW, and attendees must register and schedule their meeting NO LATER THAN Friday, February 8th. Early registrants will get priority for scheduling with their State Legislators.

This year's Congress is being co-hosted by the MRA and twelve other boating related groups, including the California Yacht Brokers Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference, Boat U.S., Personal Watercraft Industry Association, California Sportfishing League, California Delta Chambers & Visitors Bureau, Recreational Boaters of California, Bay Planning Coalition, Sacramento Valley Marine Association, California Association of Harbor Masters & Port Captains, and the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association . . . dedicated to focusing our state legislators on issues affecting recreational boating and the marine industry.

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 47 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.

Updated Hotel Registration Information for California Boating Congress

We recently sent out flyers for the 4th Annual California Boating Congress with the wrong information for booking hotel rooms at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade. Please use the information below for reservations:

Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade |
100 Capitol Mall Sacramento CA 95814 

There are rooms nights available for Tuesday, March 5, 2019 available for those of you who will be arriving early or plan to stay after the Welcome Reception. PLEASE make your reservations no later than Friday, February 12, 2019 as there are many events going on in Sacramento at this time. There will be no additional rooms available for our block. Reservations can be made atwww.sacramento.embassysuites.com using the group/convention code: CBC or calling 916.326.5000 and ask for the discount rate California Boating Congress.

Room rates are $239 plus tax for
single or double occupancy

4th Annual ‘California Boating Congress’ will feature Two Prominent Keynote Speakers

This year’s annual California Boating Congress will kick off on Wednesday March 6th with two Keynote Speakers focusing on recreational boating and the impact of this industry on the state economy.

For the fourth year in a row, the CBC will bring the marine industry and boating community together at the California State Capital to advocate for issues affecting this important part of our state’s economy and culture, and chart the future of boating policy in California.

Assemblymember Jim Wood will start the day’s events with a morning welcome at 8:30 AM. Mr. Wood has represented District 2, encompassing Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte, and Mendocino counties, and northern costal Sonoma County, since his election in 2014. He is actively involved in legislative actions focused on environmental protection, economic development, and health care, and has been Chair of the Assembly Health Committee since 2016.

Robert Newsome, Sr. Vice President of Strategy, Engineering Standards, & Membership for the National Marine Manufacturers Association will be the second keynote speaker, and will provide an important overview of Recreational Boating Trends and the Economy in California. Mr. Newsome has authored and presented on numerous marine industry economic, boating safety, and industry technical topics, and serves as a spokesperson for the Discover Boating program. He has also been a life-long and avid power boater, sailor, and fisherman on Lake Michigan and other lakes of the Midwest, and has a distinct understanding of the issues affecting recreational boating across the country.

This year’s CBC will hold a Welcome Reception on Tuesday evening, March 5th at 5:30 PM, giving attendees an opportunity to meet and mingle before the main event on Wednesday. Both events will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade Hotel, 100 Capital Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814. Special hotel rates are also available for Tuesday night and may be booked no later than February 12th at www.sacramento.embassysuites.com or by calling (916) 326-5000. Be sure to mention the CBC discount rate or enter the Group Code: CBC, when making reservations..

Breakout sessions focused on specific boating issues will follow the keynote speeches, providing updates and information about critical legislative and regulatory concerns. These morning sessions will cover a variety of topics, including the flood of current and pending regulations, the State Lands Commission’s programs to remove abandoned vessels, the current audit of BCDC, and an opportunity to meet with Regulators from the primary state regulatory agencies.

Following lunch, attendees will proceed to the State Capital for meetings with individual legislative representatives throughout the afternoon. Opportunities to meet with state representatives are being scheduled NOW, and attendees must register and schedule their meeting NO LATER THAN Friday, February 8th. Early registrants will get priority for scheduling with their State Legislators, so mark your calendar for March 5th & 6th and register EARLY!

This year’s Congress is being co-hosted by the MRA and twelve other boating related groups, including the California Yacht Brokers Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference, Boat U.S., Personal Watercraft Industry Association, California Sportfishing League, California Delta Chambers & Visitors Bureau, Recreational Boaters of California, Bay Planning Coalition, Sacramento Valley Marine Association, California Association of Harbor Masters & Port Captains, and the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association.

For more information and to register, visit www.calboatingcongress.com or contact Mariann Timms at 209-334-0061.

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 46 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.