HOST officially launched in Canada this year with great success at the Montreal In-Water Boat Show from September 5-7, 2014. Registration for HOST sessions reached capacity before the opening of the show. In addition, before opening day there was a wait list of 47 people who wanted to participate. The successful launch of HOST can be attributed to a range of marketing efforts including, but not limited to: public relations, consumer and industry newsletters, promotion through social media channels as well as on DiscoverBoating.ca, and a cross promotion with the boat show and training partner, the Aquanaute Training Centre (www.aquanaute.ca). 

The Aquanaute Training Centre participated in the HOST trainer orientation sessions held earlier this summer and provided HOST training at the Montreal In-Water Boat Show. The trainer received positive feedback from many HOST participants:

 “Whether new or experienced boaters, all participants greatly appreciated the HOST sessions at the Montreal In-Water 

Boat Show and found the training very useful. Many experienced boaters said that HOST taught them basic skills that they have never learned before,” said Marc Vassilian, Aquanaute Training Centre. “It was a fantastic weekend!” 

 Discover Boating’s HOST program provides both new and experienced boaters the opportunity to get behind the helm and receive on-water training on safe boat handling, helping them to become more confident boaters. This is important as on-water skills training is the most effective way to ensure that becoming a boater is fun, safe and accessible. Boaters also find on-water training very valuable, as a matter of fact, 80% of boaters who have participated in HOST in the U.S. have continued to take more training to improve their skills. Also, we know from the U.S. HOST program that there is a 41% greater likelihood of purchase if individuals get behind the wheel of the boat.

Discover Boating Canada sent a survey to all HOST participants at the Montreal In-Water Boat Show for feedback. Initial results reveal that participants score HOST 10 out of 10 on overall experience, and all participants that have responded to date said that they would recommend HOST to others. 

 Discover Boating Canada looks forward to working together with partners to offer HOST training at the upcoming Toronto International Boat Show and Vancouver International Boat Show in 2015.

 For more information about HOST, please contact Tracey Hart, Director of Discover Boating Canada at thart@nmma.org.