During the 2011 Boating Ontario Conference and Trade Show, there were several awards presented and some important business advances were made as well.

At the President’s Dinner and Awards Presentation on the final day, the President’s Award was presented to Judy Semple of Hutchings Marine Products for her long-standing support of the OMOA / Boating Ontario organization as a member. Judy has been a great supporter of the industry generally, as a partner in Hutchings Marine Products.

Photo 1: Boating Ontario President Dick Peever presents the President’s Award to Judy Semple of Hutchings Marine Products Ltd.

Ralph and Eleanor Hutchings, the founders of Hutchings Marine Products Ltd. began business in 1972 making mooring lines in their basement located in Port Carling, Ontario. Later they moved operations to Armstrong Street, in Bracebridge and hired Scott Crichton. Later Scott became a partner with Ralph.

Ralph retired in 1995, offering an opportunity for Judy Semple, who came on board in 1991, to become a partner with Scott.

The Environment Award was presented by Clean Marine program founder Bob Eaton to Jeff Papiez of Harbour West in Hamilton, Ontario for their great environmental progress.

Boating Ontario Vice-President Graham Lacey presented the W.J. Robertson Award to Boating Ontario Past President Jeff Stovold for his years of service to the association.

The Boating Ontario Dealers Association held their Annual General meeting at the Boating Ontario Conference. The new board of directors was elected as Frank Farnsworth, Jason Crate and Rob MacLachlan have completed their service to the board and Allan Mestel, Mike Burns, Wendy Ramsey and Ben Hatherly assume their new roles on the board.

The Boating Ontario Dealers Association has reached 60 members with the goal of expanding to 100 members in the future. In total 12 people attended the training session during this year’s Conference and a total of 16 people wrote the exam. All Boating Ontario Dealers Association members are trained and certified.

The group plans to introduce a $5.00 per boat levy on each sale as a means of both raising some operating funds and to support data collection for teh benefit of the members.

The Boating Ontario Dealer 2012 Boating Ontario Dealer Board of Governors from left to right are; Wendy Ramsey, Sean Horsfall, Allan Mestel, Mike Burns, Pat Sturgeon, Carly Poole, Jack Pady, Ben Hatherley and Jeff Wilcox.