Apr 23, 2018

Credit: Macha de Bonneville

The Quebec Maritime Association (QMA) held its 2018 Gala on April 7th in Montreal. Some 200 guests attended this QMA ceremony with a presentation of Nautique d’Or (Gold Awards) to various boating industry’s recipients in recognition for best practises and services rendered in the province.

The long awaited event was attended for an evening of celebration by representatives from marinas, boat dealers, training schools and other parties involved in the industry from all over Quebec. An active promoter of boating and boaters interests in the province, the QMA wanted to reward individuals and organisations who distinguished themselves through their initiatives and their level of excellence in their business practises.

Nautique d’Or Awards were presented to six winners in their respective categories as well as Nautiqued’Argent (Silver Awards) to twelve finalists.

“I am impressed by the quality of all entries that were submitted for the Nautique d’Or Awards ceremony”, stated Alain Roy, the QMA’s general manager. “Having assisted the awards committee in their task, I can confirm that we were faced with quite a challenge!” adds Mr. Roy. “I also wish to express my congratulations to all the contenders for their involvement in our industry, along with my sincere thanks to our many partners and service providers as well as our wonderful sponsors for having made possible such a successful event”, concluded Mr. Roy.

Award Winners are:

* Groupe Thomas Marine, Nautique d’Or, Excellence in the Marine Retailer or Boat Dealer Category

* Drummondville Marine and Sports Marine, Nautiqued’Argent, Excellence in the Marine Retailer or Boat Dealer Category

* École de navigation de la Société de sauvetage, Nautique d’Or, Excellence in the Service Business Category

* Marine Daniel Masson &Fils and Sport Marine, Nautiqued’Argent, Excellence in the Service Business Category

* Baie de Beauport, Gestev, Nautique d’Or, Excellence in the Business in Tourism Category

* EnviroKayak and Voile Mercator, Nautiqued’Argent, Excellence in the Business in Tourism Category

* Marina Port de Québec, Nautique d’Or, Excellence in the Marina/Yacht Club/Pleasure Harbour Category

* Club de voile Deux-Montagnes and Marina de Tadoussac, Nautiqued’Argent, Excellence in the Marina/Yacht Club/Pleasure Harbour Category

* Coupe Fémina, Nautique d’Or, Excellence in the Nautical Event Category

* Défi kayak Desgagnés and Festival nautique de Saint-Paul-de-l’Île-aux-Noix, Nautiqued’Argent, Excellence in the Nautical Event Category

* Compagnie canadienne des bateaux électriques (CEBC), Nautique d’Or, New Business Category

* Do Sport and Voile Atlas, Nautiqued’argent, New Business Category

An additional Special Honours Award was presented by Mr. Walter Timmerman, chair of the QMA, to Mr. Ken King for his contribution to the growth of the boating industry in Quebec.

The Quebec Maritime Association wishes to extend its thanks to its partners:
Aviva, BRP, Desjardins, DEE Global, Marine Daniel Masson, Agence
Masse, Québec Yachting, Bateaux Legend, Brunswick, Desjardins Marine
Ste-Adèle, Drummondville Marine, Groupe Thomas Marine, MD Marine, Mathias Marine Sport, Marina Fortin, Place Bonaventure, Princecraft and Yamaha Motors.

About the Quebec Maritime Association
Created in 1996, the QMA’s mission is the advancement of pleasure boating in Quebec. Though innovative programs such as Quebec Nautical Stations, Eco-Marina and Marina Classification, the association has become a key player in all matters of nautical tourism, sustainable growth in boating and support of a quality oriented network of marinas in the province. The QMA is also involved in the annual Nautical Feast event and is the owner and promoter of the Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show and the On-the-Water Boat Shows which are annual mainstays for the industry and the boating public. The QMA provides an array of services to some 9,000 pleasure boaters and corporate members.