Newsletter March 2022

From the Captain's Chair: Building the Foundation for a Successful Future

The annual MIASF Board of Directors elections are underway. We’ve got a lot of great candidates to consider this year who together offer a robust blend of seasoned and emerging leadership in the marine industry. All are highly qualified and well-positioned to lead us into the future while respecting the past.

If you have not yet voted, please do so by the deadline – 12:00PM on April 19. If you are eligible to vote, you should have received an email with instructions for casting your vote for each of the five seats opening. Please be sure to respond on time so your voice can help chart the course of MIASF for the upcoming year.

The Palm Beach International Boat Show wrapped up at the end of March. Despite the rising global instabilities, the show was well attended and, even more encouraging to note, people are still buying boats. Of course, external global pressures – both economic and social – continue to impact all industries, and ours is no exception.

Since many of these factors are well beyond our collective control, our industry focus must turn inward. One goal we can directly impact is to ensure that the 35% of new boat buyers who joined our ranks in the past few years continue to enjoy boating. We want to minimize attrition while simultaneously focusing on continued growth momentum.

How can we do this? By providing these boaters with an exemplary ownership experience through great customer support and service. A happy boat owner stays on the water and tells and shows their friends about this amazing lifestyle. Word of mouth is our strongest ally in these times.

The MIASF also spent time in March hosting an educational cryptocurrency panel discussion that featured Chris Smith of Summit Global Strategies, Rob Petrosino of Peak Activity, Bob Denison of Denison Yachting, and Michael Fisch of TradeStation. We had a lively discussion about how as an industry we can integrate cryptocurrency safely into our businesses and what future regulations on this digital currency might look like.
With the U.S. government poised to provide $80 billion dollars for the expansion of the Internal Revenue Service, crypto regulation appears imminent. The time is now to understand the basics of the crypto market, so we are well-positioned to respond to future developments. This event was one step in that direction.

One upcoming event of note is the United States Coast Guard Foundation Dinner on April 22, 2022. This Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District will be held at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and will see sitting admirals from the Seventh District and Washington, D.C. in attendance, along with local dignitaries, and marine industry leaders.

While the Seventh District covers a wide swath of sea – over 1.7 million square miles stretching from South Carolina to Puerto Rico and much of the Caribbean basin – it also governs local interests like the New River and marine transportation throughout South Florida. This event gives us an opportunity to interact with key decision-makers in a relaxed setting. I encourage everyone to attend and consider sponsorship of this important event by buying a table or reaching out to us for individual seat.

And finally, with the bridge vs. tunnel debate still going strong, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind everyone that “no build” is simply not an option. All of Broward County wants to solve the transportation issue over the New River and Broward Boulevard, but few are taking concrete steps towards a solution.

While the math looks straightforward (we can build three bridges and still have hundreds of millions left over versus a tunnel option), let’s be aspirational about what a bridge could look like. The debate rages on with little regard to the concrete criteria FDOT has in place to neutrally evaluate options. If leaders recognized and followed FDOT’s fact-based data, we’d be years closer to a working solution for all residents.

The risk we run with inaction now is very real. Any one of the many Florida projects vying for FDOT’s funding and resources will step up and embrace FDOT’s methodology to receive both the money and manpower for their projects. When that happens, Broward County could lose out and be set back 20 years. This is a scenario none of us in the community want to see.

The time is now for fact-based action.

Regards,

Phil Purcell
CEO & President

Advocacy Report in March 2022

Redistricting is the hot topic this month. Based on the 2020 Census, boundaries are being adjusted to account for changes in population and demographics. Basically, it seems to have become a chess game between political parties. A special session has been called to address the federal districts, while the state districts have already been set. Locally, some cities, including Fort Lauderdale, are weighing the different recommended options. How this will all work out is anyone’s guess, but I encourage you to know who your representatives are when the boundaries have been solidified, and when given the opportunity, to meet them be sure to tell them you are in their district, and you work in the marine industry.

New River Crossing continues to be a topic of discussion as the Broward County Commission reviews the FDOT analysis of the alternatives on the table. Between a bridge or tunnel, the solution decided on must not impede access to our boatyards up the New River. Should navigation of the river become too challenging, the vessels could consider different service providers. An important fact to remember is a single vessel represents an annual economic impact of more than $500,000 and the mobility of the yachting community must always be factored into the decision process. The commissioners also need to take into consideration the cost per passenger ratio as this is factored into federal funding scenarios. Commuter rail will transport Florida into the future (literally), and how we get there is with a strongly supported locally preferred alternative.

The exciting news is Captain of the Port Jo-Ann Burdian will be promoted to Rear Admiral on the 29th of April and leave Sector Miami for her next assignment in Washington DC. She was a fair and thoughtful leader, and always had the importance of our industry at the forefront of her decision-making as we worked through bridge operation regulations. We wish her only good things as she ascends the career ladder.

YSTAP Report in March 2022

The Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program is a critically important program for our industry to continue to build and facilitate a talent pipeline to maintain our workforce for years and generations to come.

Currently in its third year, with one class having completed the program and earning their nationally-recognized credentials, the program is seeking a new instructor to take the helm of the program. This position as an instructor is ideal for someone with strong industry knowledge and/or experience that is passionate about developing apprentices and the next generation. As the instructor of the program, responsibilities include but are not limited to teaching class twice a week, at night, at Atlantic Technical College, creating lesson plans and helping to organize guest speakers about particular topics, and tracking grades and attendance of apprentices, while coordinating with program lead, Lori Wheeler. 

Interested applicants can see the complete job posting here and can reach out to Lori Wheeler at Lori@miasf.org with any questions.

Business Highlight: Global Marine Travel

This month’s member spotlight shines on a company whose work takes place behind the scenes but plays an integral role in keeping the marine industry moving forward. For more than two decades, GMT - Global Marine Travel has been a leader in marine travel management – helping 300,000 seafarers get from home to cruise ships, private yachts, and oil rigs and back again every year.

When the global pandemic hit in 2020, GMT immediately felt the impact. With countries closing borders and airlines halting many routes, GMT shifted their focus to advocating on behalf of the plight of the seafarer. They put their efforts into lobbying governments to designate seafarers as essential workers in the global supply chain, relying on the fact that more than 85 percent of global cargo is moved by sea. GMT was successful in helping to create this new global system of safe crew corridors for ship crew changes and it has become a blueprint ever since.

GMT has 243 team members working in locations around the world. With headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, you can also find a GMT presence in Glasgow, Monaco, Athens, Cyprus, Mumbai, Manila, and Vancouver, BC. They also leverage their marine travel expertise to function as private air charter management for luxury cruise lines like Atlas Ocean Voyages.

With access to commercial aircraft, private jets, helicopters and work boats, GMT can move crew and passengers to even the most remote locations at a moment’s notice. As Tim Davey, Managing Director, notes, “anything is possible with GMT.”

Find out more by visiting www.flygmt.com or contacting them at info@flygmt.com or 1-954-761-9595. They’re always open.

Faces in the Industry: Logan Moore

Logan Moore – General Manager, Harbour Towne Marina

Tell us where you are from, what brought you to Florida, and how long you’ve lived here.
 
Logan is originally from Mathews County, VA, a small town in the Tidewater Region on the Chesapeake Bay.  After graduating from Radford University, he relocated to Jacksonville Florida.  Following a short stent in Charlotte, North Carolina, he returned to Florida moving to Dania Beach.
 
Where do you work, what is your job title, and what does your job entail?
 
He has been the General Manager of Harbour Towne Marina since 2018.  Logan is ultimately responsible for all aspects of marina operations and financial performance. While most of his time is spent directing and overseeing said operations, he still enjoys jumping on the Wiggins Lift and moving boats or working the docks on a busy Saturday.
 
How did you initially become interested in the marine industry?
 
Growing up on the Chesapeake Bay, he has always had a passion for boating and being on the water.  In high school and throughout college Logan worked at a small dry storage marina in his hometown.  He would spend time in the spring detailing and rolling bottom paint, marine forklift operations through the summer, and winterizations in the fall. This experience offered the opportunity to start his management career and relocate to Florida.
 
What is your favorite or most valuable benefit of membership in MIASF?
 
The networking and ability to build relationships with the very passionate and intelligent members of our industry.
 
Describe any other community organizations or events with which you are involved?
 
Along with MIASF, Logan is involved with several marine organizations including Young Professionals in Yachting, US Super Yacht Association, and International Super Yacht Association.  He is also member of the board for The Dellenbach Foundation.
He also isn a member of the USSA golf classic committee which will be held April 8th at Jacaranda Golf Club. (Registration and sponsorships are still available!)

Tell us about your hobbies and the kinds of things you do for fun.

In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his girlfriend, Kaetlyn, playing ball with his Golden Retriever, Bocephus, spending time on the water and playing golf.

The 45th Annual Broward County Waterway Cleanup

For the 45th year, the Annual Broward County Waterway Cleanup, held on Saturday, March 5th, was a massive success! This year’s event returned to its traditional format, taking place on the first Saturday of March at more than 35 site locations across the county. In all, more than 1300 volunteers participated in the event and cleaned up more than 20 tons of trash from our waterways and community. The event, which is Broward’s largest and longest-running environmental event, invites participants to clean up by both land and boat. In all, more than 320 participants cleaned up via a personal watercraft including boats, paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks.

Each year, the event continues to grow while also welcoming back long-time volunteers (some who have even event been participating since the event was established in the 1970s). This year’s event grew to welcome 644 participants who were volunteering for the first-time. Unique items are always sure to be found by our volunteers and this year was no exception. At a cleanup site in Coral Springs, volunteers even found two submerged cars and a boat! The proper authorities were called by the site coordinators to report these finds and make sure all protocols were followed. Some other very cool items cleaned up include a guitar and a very large faux gold chain necklace.

To celebrate the success of our combined efforts and thank our volunteers for the continued dedication, we brought back our Trash Bash, the official Waterway Cleanup after-party. This year’s party was hosted at the Lauderdale Small Boat Club. With food, drinks, raffles, and live music, volunteers ranging in ages from 2 to 87 are invited to come out and celebrate together. The Trash Bash was sponsored by Clean Waterways, LLC. This organization is most well-known for recently working with the City of Fort Lauderdale to use their protein skimmer technology to clean the Himmarshee Canal. The team of Clean Waterways brought their skimmer to the event to provide demonstrations to the volunteers in attendance.

In addition to the Waterway Cleanup, MIASF hosts recycled-art, short story, and essay contests
that awards more than $1,000 in scholarship money to Broward County middle school and highschool students. This year’s scholarship recipients include:
• Essay Contest: $500 – Jonah Basi
• Short-Story Contest: $250 – Alexandra Greenberg
• Recycled-Art Contest: $300 (First Place) – Kyle Lafrance
• Recycled-Art Contest: $200 (Second Place) – Johnaya Genestant
• Recycled-Art Contest: $100 (Third Place) – Brooklyn Ung-Pineiro

Thank you to our volunteers, site coordinators, and sponsors, including our presenting sponsor of the event, the Florida Inland Navigation District, for helping to make this event a success. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event on Saturday, March 4th , 2023.

MIASF Participates in Deerfield Beach High Job Fair

Engaging with the next generation workforce is always a high priority for the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. In support of this mission, Megan Piggott, Director of Marketing and Workforce Development, participated in Deerfield Beach High School’s Job Fair. High schoolers of all grades attended this fair to learn about the wide variety of opportunities available to them as they make plans for post-graduation. Megan promoted the more than 149,000 career opportunities available in our industry to the students and captured their interest through the use of our Salty Jobs video series, giveaways, and stat cards.

Join Us at the U.S. Coast Guard Foundation Dinner

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District event will take place this upcoming month on April 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Marriot Harbor Beach Resort. Our association and our industry work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the entire year and support them in their efforts and mission. To show our support, MIASF is showing their support by having a few tables and attending the event. We invite our members to join us in supporting the U.S. Coast Guard Foundation by having a table of their own and inviting their team to attend this tremendous night honoring our service men and women or purchasing a ticket to join us at one of our tables. Anyone interested can contact Patience Cohn at patience@miasf.org for more information.

25th Annual Plywood Regatta

The 25th Annual Plywood Regatta committee is hard at work getting items crossed off the to-do list, students registered to participate, and final layouts of the event confirmed with Dania Beach before the event on April 30 – May 1. In addition to all of that, you and your company can still get involved and support this event in many different capacities. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and range from sponsoring a team for $500 to being the admiral sponsor for $5,000. All proceeds benefit the event and the Plywood Regatta Scholarship Fund that financially supports graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary education and careers in the marine industry. Additionally, we are also looking for mentors to help guide our 30+ teams of students as they build and race their boat during the weekend event. If you have a passion for getting involved with students and helping them learn, then this position is for you! Lead your team as they compete in this fun-filled weekend and see what they accomplish and the pride they feel seeing their boat come to life. Lastly, if you would like to volunteer for the event and or join the committee, we have some positions available that you can fill. If any of these opportunities interest you, check out the website at www.plywoodregatta.org and email us at info@miasf.org with any questions!

MIASF Membership Renewals

Your renewal payment with the Marine Industries Association of South Florida is due on April 1st for the 2022-2023 year. By now, all bundle administrators have been emailed reminders and their invoice to pay their dues. To make a payment with a credit card, companies can log in to their bundle administrator membership profile and click on the red ‘Renew’ button on the left-side menu. If you plan to pay your dues by check, please make all checks payable to the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and send to 221 SW 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.

You can also view your printable invoice for you company’s membership by logging in to your portal. If you have any questions, please reach out to MIASF be emailing info@miasf.org or calling 954-524-2733.

MIASF 2022 Board of Directors Elections

The official ballot for the five seats opening on the MIASF Board of Directors for the upcoming two-year term is officially set. To cast your vote for each of the five spots, all eligible voting members were emailed a ballot with instructions on how to vote. Eligible voters include all active regular MIASF members who have paid their renewal dues for the 2022-2023 year. Votes must be cast by the designated bundle administrator via their membership portal. When you log on to vote, you will be able to view each candidate’s headshot and bio. The ballot for this year’s MIASF Board of Directors election is as follows:

• Debora Radtke, American Yacht Agents
• Ben Koppenhoefer, Elite Marine AC
• Julie Berry, CBRE Marina Group
• Katie Hagan, FHG Marine Engineering, Inc.
• Michael Kelly, Bradford Marine
• Bill Walker, Water Taxi Fort Lauderdale
• Craig Gundry, Fassmer Technical Projects
• Tyler Chappell, The Chappell Group, Inc.
• Andrew Doole, Informa Markets
• Chris Coleman, Oversea Yacht Insurance

The newly elected board members will be announced at the MIASF Annual Luncheon and Meeting on May 18th at the Lauderdale Yacht Club. Their term serving on the board will begin on July 1, 2022.

Lori Appointed to CareerSource Broward Workforce Board

Vice President of MIASF, Lori Wheeler, has recently stepped into a new leadership role within our community. This past month, Lori was officially appointed to the CareerSource Broward Workforce Development Board of Directors. For CareerSource Broward, Lori joins the Workforce Development Board which provides a huge opportunity to create additional awareness of the workforce opportunities available in the marine industry in South Florida. Workforce development is one of MIASF’s core pillars that we support, and this new position will give Lori the opportunity to help our association, industry, and entire community to see strong job growth, employment opportunities and economic prosperity.  

Member News: Denison To Be Acquired by OneWater Marine

OneWater Marine announced it reached an agreement to acquire Denison Yachting.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bob Denison and his team into the OneWater family, which expands and strengthens our presence in the superyacht and yacht categories,” OneWater CEO Austin Singleton said in a statement. “As we move through the second fiscal quarter, we continue to capitalize on record demand and a growing backlog.
 
“Orders at the Miami boat show were off the charts for both OneWater and Denison, which underscores our combined position as the premier marine retailer of choice, from superyachts and yachts to traditional boat sales, parts and service,” Singleton added.
OneWater operates 75 retail locations, and 10 distribution centers and maintains an online marketplace.
Denison Yachting has 21 offices in the United States and in 2021 reported more than $80 million in sales. It is a dealer for such brands as Alpha Yachts, Beneteau Power (Monte Carlo, Gran Turismo, Swift Trawler), Beneteau Sail, Numarine, Dufour, Van der Valk Yachts and Excess Catamarans. The company also provides charter management services and has a substantial brokerage network with a focus on superyachts.

“Strong consumer demand continues to fuel our growth and strengthens our position as industry leaders throughout the United States, Europe and the Mediterranean,” Bob Denison said in a statement.

“Denison’s team of experienced yacht brokers is unparalleled in the world of yachting. Their commitment to take incredible care of clients will be accelerated thanks to OneWater’s tools, resources, and support.”
The transaction is expected to close in the fiscal third quarter.

Member News: Dometic Acquires Treeline Capital

Dometic announced that it acquired Treeline Capital, a company that provides aftermarket power solutions through its Balmar and CDI Electronics brands.
Dometic, a supplier of OEM and aftermarket components for the marine and outdoor markets, said in a statement that the acquisition strengthens its offerings and market presence in North America, particularly in the fast-growing mobile power segment.

Combined net sales in 2021 for CDI Electronics and Balmar were more than $16 million, and approximately 75 percent of net sales were derived from the marine service and aftermarket channels, according to Dometic.
Treeline has approximately 70 employees and is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama.

Junior Achievement - Sea the World

Junior Achievement is gearing up to launch its next 3-year school term for students in Broward County. Junior Achievement, including the Sea the World Marine Store Front, is a facility that fosters educational opportunities for Broward County students, specifically those 5th grade and 8th grade students who visit the facility for field trips every year. Contribution and support to the organization contributes to leasing the storefront for 3 years and adding wow factors to get students excited about joining the marine industry workforce. The real-world simulation this facility offers students can’t easily be replicated in the classroom.

To build support for the initiative, the organization, JA, is hosting a champagne reception on Wednesday, April 20th at 5 pm at their location in Coconut Creek. This event is open to all JA partners and those interested in learning more about the organization and opportunities to get involved and support this initiative. You’re invited to attend this event to see the facilities in person, meet the leaders of Sea the World, and learn about the impact your support can have on our youth. You can RSVP for this event by emailing Diana@JASouthFlorida.org.

Member News: FWC Announce Florida Surpasses 1 Million Boaters

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced this month that Florida continues to lead the nation and has passed the mark of 1 million registered recreational vessels across the state. Florida, with its great year-round weather and plenty of access to fresh and salt water, is the “Boating Capital of the World.” With more people calling Florida home and more vessels on the water, it’s important that residents and visitors practice safe boating.

The top five counties for vessel registration in Florida are Miami-Dade (74,622), Pinellas (53,867), Lee (50,304), Broward (47,741) and Hillsborough (41,495).

“Crossing the million mark just confirms what we always knew - Florida is the top state for boaters. And with more boats on the water, we want to spread the word about boating safety to both residents and visitors enjoying Florida’s year-round boating season,” said Maj. Rob Beaton, Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “A safe day while boating is a great day. Nothing can ruin a fun and memorable experience on the water faster than a boating accident.”

USSA Inspire Initiative Event

The US Superyacht Association (USSA) recently announced the Inspire Initiative, a cutting-edge event designed to showcase, support, and celebrate the women of the superyacht industry with a renewed sense of strength and confidence. This luncheon event was on March 25 featured keynote presentations and panel discussions with high-profile women in the marine industry who shared their experiences and pathways to the top.

A full list of keynote speakers and panelists at this luncheon include:

• Lesley Visser, Hall of Fame Sportscaster
• Katheryn Burchett, COO of Safe Harbor Marinas
• Captain Sandy Yawn, Bravo's Below Deck Mediterranean
• Carolyn Aronson, CEO of It's a 10 & Yacht Owner
• Captain Jo-Ann Burdian, Commander U.S. Coast Guard Miami Sector
• Susan Renneisen , VP of Community Affairs & Special Events at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL
• Alexandra Anagnostis-Irons, Owner of Total Marine Solutions
• Megan Washington, Marine Director at Hyatt Regency Pier 66

Upcoming Events in 2022

The RMK Merrill-Stevens Member Mingle has been cancelled. Scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 13th, there are currently no plans to reschedule this event, but we are looking at options for an alternative event in Miami for our members.

Marine Industry Night with the Florida Panthers returns again this year! On Thursday, April 21st join the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and the Young Professionals in Yachting as our industry takes over the Stanley Loft as the Florida Panthers take on the Detroit Redwings. The puck drops at 7, but the fun can begin before that hanging with our industry at the game. Tickets to this game are $64 and include: entry into the game, parking, food, and drink (including beer, wine, and soda). Tickets are limited and will more than likely sell out. To purchase tickets, please email Megan Piggott at megan@miasf.org.

The 25th Annual Plywood Regatta will take place on April 30th and May 1st at Dania Beach. This two-day event returns to its traditional event format with more than 30 teams of middle school and high school students teaming up to build boats out of just plywood, zip ties, 5200 caulk, and paint. Over the two-day competition, bonds will be formed, boats will be built, and races will be won, and scholarships will be awarded! This event is perfect for you to get involved with if you’re passionate about building boating’s future with us. You can get involved in this event through sponsorship opportunities, mentor positions, or volunteer positions. Details of the event can be found at www.plywoodregatta.org and you can reach out for additional information by contacting MIASF at info@miasf.org.

On May 18th, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida will host their Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon. Once again, this event will take place at the nautical venue of the Lauderdale Yacht Club. At the event, MIASF will recognize its recipients of its awards of excellence for this past year, award its 2022 Golden Anchor recipient, announce the 2022-2023 MIASF Board of Directors, and reflect on all that was accomplished this past year while looking forward to all that we will achieve in the upcoming year together. Additional details of the event, including how to purchase tickets, will be released as we get closer to the event.

Past Events in March 2022

The 45th Annual Broward County Waterway Cleanup took place on Saturday, March 5th, 2022, with more than 1,300 volunteers participating in this historic event across more than 35 sites in Broward County. This annual cleanup event returned to its traditional format and had participants ranging in ages from 2 to 87. This event continues to grow in popularity each year as more volunteers share the event with their friends and family to get involved. Students are given the opportunity to earn community service hours for volunteers, scout troops earn a unique patch for their involvement, and we all come together for a good cause. This event always concludes with its Trash Bash, the official post-event thank you party. Highlighting this party was Clean Waterways, LLC bringing their protein skimmer to the Lauderdale Small Boat Club to provide demonstrations of how their technology works and how it has been used to clean the Himmarshee Canal in Fort Lauderdale. Another highlight of the Trash Bash was Mayor of Broward County, Michael Udine, attending the event to thank all volunteers for their participation in the event and doing what they can to help our community.

On March 15th, MIASF invited its members of partner organizations to attend a panel discussion on the topic of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is a current hot topic that many are trying to navigate to understand how it impacts their personal lives, business lives, and more. The event began by moderator Chris Smith, former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Treasury Secretary, providing an overview about cryptocurrency with basic information to help create a foundation of understanding for the audience before the discussion began. On the panel was Bob Denison of Denison Yachting, Rob Petrosino of Peak Activity, and Michael Fisch of TradeStation. Each panelist brought a unique perspective to the panel with different tips and insights on integrating cryptocurrency into your business and making it a less intimidating topic for all. 

Featured Job: Informa Markets

Job Title: Special Events + Fulfillment Specialist (Coordinator), Informa Markets

Company Description:
There's no such thing as a typical Informa colleague…And that's how we like it. We're a diverse Group, with over 10,000 colleagues working in many different roles in one of six Divisions and in over 30 countries. Each of us brings something different, a unique set of abilities, experience and knowledge. It’s what makes us who we are.
All our businesses and offices share a culture based on respect and inclusiveness, and a working environment that is enjoyable, stimulating, rewarding and supportive for colleagues. One that enables everyone to fully participate in the life of the Group and its ongoing, sustainable growth.
As a division of Informa, a FTSE 100 company, Informa Markets provides customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through live, virtual and hybrid events, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions.
People are at the heart of Informa Markets. Our business thrives on the passion and entrepreneurship of our 4,000+ colleagues, who deliver over 500 international events and brands in more than 40 countries across the globe.
We organize over 500 large-scale branded and transaction-oriented events in 14 specialist markets. These are typically not-to-be-missed annual events where buyers and sellers build relationships, see and show products and do business.
We also provide year-round online platforms where companies showcase their businesses and products and buyers conduct research, generating valuable leads, and we provide data and digital content that supports the flow of knowledge and transactions in markets.

Job Description:
Do color coded binders bring you joy? Are you a positive personality that loves to collaborate? Can you juggle multiple projects? Do you love boating, Art and amazing weather all year round? If so, this is the opportunity for you!
We are seeking a meticulously detailed professional who can execute our exhibitor, high clientele sponsorship deliverables, and VIP special events. This role collaborates with many other departments ranging from marketing to sales and operations. This individual can work directly with customers, but also behind-the-scenes with a passion for executing flawlessly.

Must have the ability to work domestically in the US. This position requires experience in a trade show and event environment. This position is an in office position with flexibility to work from home when needed.

Role Accountability and Duties:
Help develop and organize seminar sessions onsite – confirming speakers, topics, titles, content and bios.
From inception through fulfillment delivery, help execute special events and sponsorship deliverables in conjunction with the Marketing, Ops, Warehouse and Sales Teams.
Work in conjunction with marketing team to ensure alignment in delivery of all-event marketing related strategies.
Assist in developing and managing production of on-site collateral and giveaways, e.g., directories/show maps, swag bags, show bags, and media publications.
Ability to lead all media publication barters including fulfillment on agreements, financial reporting, digital and social deliverables, and tracking/auditing ticket comps.
Liaise with Advertising/PR Teams to ensure content and show happenings are amplified via third party for all high-level sponsorship focused brands based on contract deliverables.
Ability to keep track of invoices and manage budgets for activations and experiences regarding all sponsorships and special events.
Coordinate pre-show service orders with ops and warehouse teams to manage all on-site activities, including temporary speaker coordination, fulfillment of a/v, on-site signage, third party vendors, coordinating sponsorship deliveries to show-site, catering orders, etc.
Performs additional duties as assigned

What Informa is Looking For:
0-3 years in business environment – preferably in Digital, Marketing, Marketing Services, Sales, Sales Operations, Sales Support or Web Marketing
Strong problem-solving skills
Demonstrates Personal Motivation
Experience with understanding strategic planning, special events, digital advertising, social media. 
Must be analytical with the ability to learn how to translate ideas into projects from concept into execution using hands-on capabilities.
Ability to communicate quantified results of sponsorship initiatives.  In addition, must have strong attention to detail, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
Proficiency in MS Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.

Other Preferred Attributes:
Self-motivated with the ability to work with multiple internal teams and outside partners.
Ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
Outstanding project management, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
Demonstrated creative talents as well as the ability to work with a wide variety of people.
Exceptional time management skills and the ability to handle multiple projects at one time with attention to detail.  
Ability to coordinate work with outside vendors. 
Experience in marketing for trade shows and in special events production.
Ability to travel, as needed.

What The Position Offers:
Competitive Compensation Package
Access to LinkedIn Learning and other development/training opportunities
Health and Wellness Benefits (medical, dental, eye)
401K and Matching
Employee Stock Purchase Program
Generous PTO policy
Work-life balance
Additional discounts through various partnerships

We know that sometimes the 'perfect candidate' doesn't exist, and that people can be put off applying for a job if they don't fit all the requirements. If you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, please go ahead and apply. You could be just what we need! We believe strongly in the value of diversity and creating supportive, inclusive environments where our colleagues can succeed.  As such, Informa is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics under federal, state or local law. 

Did You Know...?

Did you know… that your membership renewal payment with the Marine Industries Association of South Florida is due on April 1, 2022?

Welcome Aboard New Members in March 2022!

Willis Custom Yachts
Jennifer Casey

Email: Jennifer.casey@williscustomyachts.com

Website: www.williscustomyachts.com

Address: 6800 SW Jack James Drive, Stuart, FL 34997

Phone: 772-221-9100

Company Description: Willis Custom Yachts is working on becoming the premier custom sportfish builder and full-service repair facility in the United States, through innovation, technology, and exceptional leadership. As WCY continues to experience strategic growth in the next three to five years, our continued success is predicated on hiring well qualified people who will be successful within our current WCY culture. We are committed to the industry’s best customer experience through, Passion, Teamwork, and Unparalleled Quality.

Business Category:

• Advertising / Public Relations
• Boatyards / Shipyards
• Manufacturer - Custom Boats
• Associations