Changing Scene

  • MEDIATION RESULTS IN POSITIVE NEWS FOR 2013 VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

    The show organizers are very happy to report there is no longer a threat to the Vancouver Boat Show as a result of the labour mediation process between BC Place and BCGEU.
     
    While an employment agreement has not yet been reached, it has been confirmed there will be no threat of job action during the Vancouver Boat Show, or the move-in and move-out.
     
    This positive news comes following five very long days of mediation, and a decision today to break from mediation until after the event.
     
    The parties have put in a tremendous effort and have been able to come to an agreement on the non-monetary changes to the collective agreement.

  • HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2013 – WELCOME TO THE WATER!

    Chart a Course For Huge Savings! Shop for your next adventure at the Halifax International Boat Show, running from February 21 to 24, 2013 at Exhibition Place in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  This year's show is presented by the Atlantic Marine Trades Association (AMTA).

    See the latest in: 

    • Boats from 6’ to 40’
    • Runabouts
    • Sailboats
    • Cruisers
    • Kayaks
    • Personal watercraft

  • WEST MARINE ANNOUNCES “GREEN PRODUCT OF THE YEAR” WINNER AND BREAKTHROUGH NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2013 AT MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

    West Marine, the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, is proud to announce the winner of its fourth annual Green Product of the Year Award on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the West Marine booth at the Miami International Boat Show. An important component of West Marine’s BlueFuture® initiative to help create a sustainable future, the award hopes to encourage green product development throughout the marine industry.
    In addition to the Green Product of the Year, West Marine will feature their top picks for the most innovative new products for 2013.  Plus, show attendees can enter to win a $1000 Gift Card at the West Marine booth at the Miami International Boat Show.

  • PATTI TRAPP NAMED DIRECTOR OF QUALITY AT MERCURY MARINE

    Mercury Marine announced that Patti Trapp has been promoted to the position of Director of Quality.
     
    In her new role, Trapp is responsible for setting quality system standards and implementing them across all Mercury Marine functions.
     
    “Patti’s in-depth process expertise and engineering background are crucial for this role,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine’s vice president of global operations.  “Plus, her passion for quality and building quality into the process used to make the product is key to continuous improvement in everything we do.”

  • BROWNELL TRAILERS, ROK BOAT STANDS AT VANCOUVER BOAT SHOW

    Brownell Trailers™, manufacturer of hydraulic boat trailers and ROK® Boat Stands, will be featured in booth 403 at the 2013 Vancouver International Show, February 7-11 at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

    Established in 1954, Brownell Trailers is the world’s premier manufacturer of fully submersible hydraulic trailers and the first choice of professionals for boat hauling equipment. Built for longevity, strength, safety, efficiency and reliability, a Brownell trailer produces labor savings and eliminates space problems by gunnel to gunnel storage.
    Unlike painted boat stands, ROK Boat Stands are rustproof, with fully galvanized bases and cast steel galvanized handles. Stackable and nestable with other major boat stand brands,

  • BOOT DÜSSELDORF GAVE WATER SPORTS INDUSTRY NEEDED BOOST

    Despite ice, snow and airport strikes, the recent staging of boot 2013 Düsseldorf, 44th International Boat Show Düsseldorf, in Germany attracted 226,300 visitors (45,000 came from 50 countries other than Germany). A total of 1,674 exhibitors from 63 nations showcased their yachting innovations and new water sports equipment and reported good business.
     
    “The existing circumstances could not have been less favorable for a trade fair event which is mostly targeted at end users. On more than half of the event days, the weather made it very difficult to get to the show. Many international guests who had booked flights had to cancel their visit to boot. But we still met the expectations of our exhibitors,” stated Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “The first days and the second weekend were extremely well attended. And the visitors who came had the economic potential to give the industry the boost it had been hoping for.”

  • WEST MARINE HOSTS NEW PRODUCT REVIEW DAY ON MARCH 8, 2013

    Event Invites Innovative Vendors to Pitch New Products to West Marine.  West Marine (Nasdaq:WMAR), the country’s largest retailer of boating supplies and accessories, today announced its New Product Review Day on Friday, March 8, 2013.  The event will be held at the Company’s Watsonville, California based Support Center located at 500 Westridge Drive.
    West Marine’s New Product Review Day allows prospective inventors and vendors to pitch new products to West Marine Category Managers for consideration and the chance to be sold in West Marine retail stores, and through its other channels of business includingwestmarine.com.  “West Marine is eager to meet innovators of new boating, fishing and sailing

  • TIDE TURNING FOR CANADIAN BOATING INDUSTRY

    Canadian recreational boating industry reports thirteen percent increase in new boats and engine sales totaling $2 billion
     
    The Canadian recreational boating industry began to see the tide turn for new boat and outboard engine sales with an estimated thirteen percent increase from October 2011 through September 2012 compared to the same period the previous year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) second annual 2012 Canadian Statistical Abstract. The Abstract reveals statistics on Canada’s recreational boating retail sales, participation and boater demographics, the overall retail market, imports/exports and economic factors which impact the industry.
     
    “An increasingly stable U.S. economy combined with a modest increase in Canadian consumer confidence helped contribute to healthy growth within the Canadian recreational

  • RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE 2013 EXPLORES NEW STORAGE CONCEPTS

    The Renewable Energy Conference 2013 (REC) explores several new storage concepts being designed to help renewable energy become a more competitive and sustainable supply for consumers. We know wind and solar energy developers are courting many of the latest technologies including pump storage utilizing underwater ballons or underground caverns, but what's next? What challenges will these new technologies face when aligning with existing infrastructure? Is storage truly the "missing link" to developing renewable energy projects?

    Back again for its 8th year the Renewable Energy Conference "STORAGE" April 16 & 17, 2013

  • UPDATE ON CHANCE OF A LABOUR DISRUPTION AT BC PLACE

    Late last week, the show managers sent out a message to all exhibitors saying there could be a possible labour disruption at BC Place, one of the venues for the Vancouver International Boat Show. Show organizers felt it was important that exhibitors hear information directly from Canadian Boat Shows or BCMTA related to communications on this topic.
     
    Members of the BC Government and Services Employees Union (BCGEU) have provided strike notice to BC Place, allowing their membership to be in a legal strike position on/after Monday, January 28, 2013.

  • MAJOR SHOWING BY MARLOW AS THEY RELAUNCH MAINSHIP AT MIAMI

    Mr. David E. Marlow, Chairman of Marlow Acquisitions, LLC has announced that the rebirth of “America’s Trawler” will take place at the Miami International Boat Show next month, February 14-18, with the unveiling of the NEW Marlow Mainship 32. “I am excited, filled with pride and enthusiasm to bring this fine brand back to the boating public with a new 32’ sedan trawler filled with features that exceed today’s boaters demands,” stated David. This followed the all NEW Marlow Hunter 40 introduced at the Annapolis Show in October setting the standard for quality and comfort in the 40’ sailboat range.

    Marlow Acquisitions, LLC purchased all the assets of Hunter Marine Corporation and selected assets including the molds, tooling, and branding rights to Mainship in August of 2012. The NEW Marlow Mainship 32 will be built by Marlow Hunter at its’ manufacturing facility in Florida, the Hunter sailboat brand has been built for 40 years without an interruption.

  • ABBRA AWARDS HONOURS BILL MUNGER WITH PRESIDENTS AWARD

    ABBRA Honours William “Bill” Munger, Founder/Owner of Rhode Island’s Conanicut Marine Services With Prestigious
    Dennis Snow President’s Award at the Association’s 2013 Boatyard Business Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL

    At the just concluded Boatyard Business Conference Awards Dinner & 70th Anniversary Celebration, the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) named William “Bill” Munger the 2013 recipient of the prestigious Dennis Snow President’s Award.  The Award is given for significant and lasting contributions to the boatyard and marine service/repair industry, and Bill Munger joins a distinguished group of industry leaders to have received this honour.

  • RAYMARINE RAYCONTROL AND RAYREMOTE APPS REMAIN FREE UNTIL APRIL 7TH

    Raymarine has announced that its apps for RayControl and RayRemote are to remain FREE for users to download until April 7th, 2013.
     
    The RayRemote and RayControl apps, which enable users to control e and c-Series multifunction displays wirelessly from any smartphone or tablet, are available for Apple iOS, Android and Kindle Fire, and can be located via the Apple iTunes App store, Google Play Store for Android, and through the Amazon Android Marketplace. The applications have been incredibly successful and popular both by users and the marine industry. The RayControl app was shortlisted at this year’s Dame Award, a worldwide award for design excellence in the marine industry.

  • WAVECRAFT USA WELCOMES NEW CEO

    Wavecraft USA, maker of the Waveblade handheld marine power tool, appointed Steve Smith as the company's new CEO.  Wendy Benge, Wavecraft USA's director of marketing and sales, made the announcement.  Smith's role will be global but will focus on the USA.
    Smith brings over 30 years of business background in sales and marketing to Wavecraft USA, including serving as Vice President, Europe for Polaroid Corporation, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He also offers a wealth of experience gained from living and working around the globe.  "Steve's expert direction and guidance will enable us to utilize our full resources as we plan for growth in additional markets," said Benge.

  • ABBRA/ABYC WEBINAR: MARINE INDUSTRY BUSINESSES AND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT


    There are many questions and concerns surrounding health care reform and the Affordable Care Act. Our next webinar will address its impacts on small, medium and large marine industry businesses with the aim of going beyond the –hype, hyperbole and misinformation. In a 90 minute session presented by Mark Abba, General Manager, Employee Benefits Division of MHG Insurance Brokers we will outline what the new law actually says, or does not say and offer useful tips on how to best capitalize or cope with the changes.

    This 90 minute webinar is scheduled for Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 1:00pm. Add this upcoming event to your calendar today. Webinar registration is $89 for members of either ABYC or ABBRA. Visit ABYC to sign up and use the promo code ABBRA.

  • COMPOSITES INNOVATION CENTRE TO ESTABLISH FIRERCITY

    Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal support for the Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) to establish a centre for the innovative use of agricultural products.

    "Our Government is helping ensure that Canada remains at the cutting edge of the composites industry," said MP Bruinooge. "Through this investment we are helping Canadian manufacturers gain a competitive advantage in this growing sector."

  • GRADY-WHITE-NAMES NEW VPS OF MARKETING AND SALES

    Grady-White boat’s president Kris Carroll has announced role changes in the company’s executive team. Shelley Tubaugh is named Vice President–Marketing and now adds responsibilities for media and all integrated communications to existing duties in market research and customer relations. Joey Weller, Vice President Sales will center
    his energies on sales support team for the Grady-White dealer network, including external network development plans and programs as well as internal sales support systems.

    Both Tubaugh and Weller have been with Grady White since 1988 and have extensive experience within the organization. Carroll states

  • CANADIAN SAFE BOATING COUNCIL PRESENTS CANADIAN SAFE BOATING AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING EFFORTS

    Across Canada, seven individuals and four organizations stand out for their efforts in 2012 in support of recreational boating safety and environmental stewardship. And now the Canadian Safe Boating Council has recognized these individuals and organizations with awards for their heroism and outstanding accomplishments.

    The Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs) are like the Golden Globe awards of safe boating. On January 13th the Canadian Safe Boating Council hosted the annual CASBA ceremony to recognize the efforts of the general public, volunteers, professionals, companies, agencies and organizations that have distinguished themselves in the fields of boating safety and environmental

  • STRONG UPWARD TREND CONTINUES FOR TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

    Barometer for Canadian industry sets positive tone for 2013.  The 55th annual Toronto International Boat Show closed on January 20 amid extremely positive feedback from exhibitors. With more than 550 manufacturers and dealers across the sold-out Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, many reported the ten day show exceeded their expectations, establishing the groundwork for what is shaping up to be a strong year for the boating industry in Canada. Overall attendance was 81,010 — up six percent from 2012, and more than nine percent above the average attendance of the last three years. “We continue to take a very focused approach with our marketing