Mar 28, 2016

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: SEPT. 20 – 22, NAPLES, FLORIDA

Technical training, new products, expanded awards program, and demonstration boats highlight annual event

For marine electronics dealers, office personnel, installers and technicians who are looking for the best training opportunities this year, the 2016 NMEA International Marine Electronics Conference & Expo is the place to be.

Beginning its three-day run on Sept. 20, 2016, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida, the event will focus on education and training, a new products expo, demonstration boats, product awards, as well as networking and social events. The NMEA Conference & Expo is the only trade event specifically focused on marine electronics. All event information is posted on the NMEA Conference website www.expo.nmea.org.

“After listening to member feedback and suggestions, we have increased the training offerings and brought back business-related training tracks including a ‘QuickBooks Session’ and an ‘Open Moderated Business Forum’,” said Mark Reedenauer, NMEA President and Executive Director.

“We also added member incentives and discounts to encourage dealer and trade members to attend. This definitely will be the place to be for networking and training on all aspects of marine electronics.” he said. Other new technical education tracks will include Autopilots, OneNet, and Wireless Networking. An updated preliminary training schedule will be posted on www.expo.nmea.org within the upcoming weeks.

Students can also take advantage of the all-day NMEA training at a 50% discounted price—the lowest price that NMEA offers. The Basic Marine Electronics Installer course (MEI) will be held Tuesday, September 20. The NMEA 2000 Networking course will be held Wednesday, September 21, and the Advanced Marine Electronics Installer course will be held Thursday, September 22. Additionally, NMEA technical committees for both OneNet and NMEA 2000 will be meeting throughout the week.

The GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Task Force will meet on Wednesday, September 21. The GMDSS Task Force is a group dedicated to monitoring the success and shortcomings of the GMDSS. The Task Force is also active in current efforts to modernize the GMDSS and monitors related developments in maritime radio and electronic navigation. The Task Force makes recommendations to government authorities to improve safety at sea.

A highlight of the conference will be a panel of CEOs from major marine electronics manufacturers who will talk about the future of the market and respond to questions about a variety of issues impacting the industry. The discussion will take center stage on September 20, just after lunch and immediately before exhibits open on the Expo floor.

Attendees may see the latest products in action on demonstration boats that will operate all three days, including evenings when manufacturers show off underwater lights, night vision cameras, and radar operation. The marina is just a short shuttle ride from the Naples Grande Beach Resort.

Thursday evening will feature the NMEA Awards Banquet. The NMEA Product of Excellence Awards and the NMEA Technology Award are highly prized by the manufacturers of marine electronics.

“I’m very excited to have the conference back in Florida this year,” says NMEA Chairman Johnny Lindstrom. “We are anticipating seeing many of the dealers from the region. We have been able to expand the training offerings and have partnered with ABYC for even more opportunities for our members. It is an event that no one in this industry can afford to miss.”

A preliminary schedule of events will be posted on www.expo.nmea.org