Nov 23, 2021

I think we are all going to need some career cartography to find our way through the fall and winter this year.

Through October and November, the stock market has gone way up, the Canadian elections came and went with no real impact and recently President Biden’s infrastructure bill has been advancing which I think, could result in positive economic momentum in the U.S., and that often benefits Canada. So far, so good. 

Then, last week a fresh wave of concern about rising COVID cases brought new restrictions and lockdowns in Europe (just as the METSTRADE show was opening) and oil started selling off in anticipation of rising cases and travel restrictions.

We were starting to hear about all sorts of fall product shortages and then the huge flooding hit British Columbia washing out highways and rail lines in a true disaster scenario that will certainly exacerbate transportation-driven shortages just ahead of Christmas.

I usually buy a Christmas Tree from the local supermarket and I noticed there were a few trees on display at the entrance. I asked the store manager when the next shipment of trees was coming and he said they weren’t – that was it. Is the Grinch stalking us?

My fiberglass and resin supplier sent me a form letter about rising costs. Glass from China and resins from the Gulf may be in short supply just as we are trying to catch up with the demand for new boats.

In this edition of News Week the NMMA has announced they are postponing some boat shows till 2023 due to lack of inventory.

I hope you are planning to attend one of the industry conferences. The Boating BC Conference starts today and the Boating Ontario Conference is next week. The many speakers and sessions and especially, the opportunities to talk to your peers can be the kind of career cartography that you need this year.

There may still be time to participate in these very valuable events and I’d suggest you register right now (if they are still taking more people). You won’t get a second chance before the Boat Show season arrives.

Hope to see you there!

Andy Adams – Editor