The International Marina Institute (IMI), the training subsidiary of the Association of Marina Industries (AMI), has posted its annual Fall Events Brochure on its website, www.marinaassociation.org . The brochure details information on IMI’s Fall Conference “Increasing Marina Profits in the New Economy: From Surviving to Thriving” scheduled for October 23–25, 2011, and its annual Southeast Florida Marina Study Tour scheduled for October 26–27, 2011. All events will be based at the Sheraton Suites Cypress Creek in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Details can be found at www.marinaassociation.org .

IMI’s Fall Conference includes exhibits, seminars, and networking opportunities for marina industry professionals. Seminar topics for this year’s event focus on marina renovation, the status of financing for marina projects, the importance of having proper administrative infrastructure and staff training, how to use social media to improve your business, and how public private partnerships can lead to funding for marina projects. Each year, IMI’s Fall Conference is dedicated to updates in drystack technology on a biennial basis while focusing on current and timely topics of interest during the years in between.

At the close of the Fall Conference, IMI’s Southeast Florida Marina Study Tour embarks on October 26, 2011, as a mobile classroom that takes students on tours of seven leading marinas over the course of two days. Marinas this year include Harbour Towne Marina, Lighthouse Point Yacht Club, Marina Bay, Roscioli Yachting Center, Rybovich Superyacht Marina, and Sunset Harbour Yacht Club & Marina. At the end of each day, industry expert Tim Timpson, CMM, leads a facilitated discussion and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis prior to a networking dinner with all participants.

For the full agenda for each event, visit www.marinaassociation.org/training/conferences-meetings , and click on either “IMI Fall Conference 2011” or “5th Annual Southeast Florida Marina Study Tour.” Here, you’ll find a link to the Fall Events Brochure as well as a registration form and further information about the events. Please contact IMI at (401) 247-0314 with any questions.

The International Marina Institute (IMI) has been training and certifying marina personnel since 1986 and offers courses in Intermediate Marina Management and Advanced Marina Management. IMI also provides qualified members with the coveted Certified Marina Manager designation. The Association of Marina Industries (AMI) is a nonprofit membership organization providing management training, education, and information about research, legislation, and environmental issues affecting the marina industry.