Rob McKenna featured speaker at NMTA Annual Meeting, December 8

The NMTA Annual Meeting, presented by the vendors of the NMTA Health Insurance Trust, is set for Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle.

Special guest speaker Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna will discuss the challenges facing businesses in today's economy, and what is on the horizon for a recovery in Washington. Plus, network with members while learning about the latest news and a Year-in-Review from NMTA President George Harris.

What: NMTA Annual Meeting
Where: Museum of History and Industry (Directions)
When: December 8, 2010 - 6-9 pm
Registration: $15 per person
Includes drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!

Want to win a contest?

West Marine has a terrific opportunity for those with a green product. Their Green Product of the Year Contest’s deadline has been extended through Dec 31, 2010 and offers a cash prize of $10,000. If you have or know anyone with a great green product, please submit it for the Green Product of the Year. All the information is at westmarine.com/green

NMTA members named in Top 100

Congratulations to NMTA members Seattle Boat Company and Lake Union Sea Ray for being named to Boating Industry magazine's Top 100 listing earlier this week!

Ranked #9 - Seattle Boat Company
Ranked #17 - Lake Union Sea Ray

The two dealerships were the highest ranked businesses on the West Coast.

For a complete recap of the program, and the entire 100 dealer ranking, click on http://www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=2692243

Steamship Virginia V Offers Holiday Cruises to Benefit Local Fund

If you are looking for that unique boating experience this holiday season, you don't have to look any further than Lake Union. More specifically, the Steamship Virginia V Foundation presents three Holiday Cruises, December 2, 18 and 23. These cruises depart from South Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Avenue North, aboard the 1922 vintage National Historic Landmark Steamship Virginia V.

For tickets and more info, visit can be purchased at www.virginiav.org/events.

Grow Boating on Bainbridge?

Bainbridge Island has a unique dilemma ahead of them. From the Bainbridge website:

The City of Bainbridge Island (COBI) has the opportunity to pursue two alternative types of projects for its waterfront. One alternative is the lease and re-development of approximately one acre of property on the Washington State Ferries Eagle Harbor maintenance yard (WSF Site). The other alternative is to accept money from the Washington State Ferries (WSF) in lieu of the property lease and use the money for a water-dependent or water-oriented use elsewhere within the City of Bainbridge Island. Per WSF requirement, the WSF funding cannot be used for a water-based project on the WSF Site.

Bainbridge is moving fast on this decision. If you would like to learn more about the situation, especially as it relates to redeveloping the one acre for a boating-related endeavor (e.g. a boatyard), please visit: http://www.ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us/washington_state_ferries_offers.aspx

NMTA Marina Conference PowerPoints now On-line

For those who missed any of the presentations at the NMTA Marina Conference, presented by Marine Floats, take a second to see what the buzz has been about since this two-day event concluded. Link: http://www.nmta.net/events/memberevents.asp

David Dicks resigns from Puget Sound Partnership (PSP)

Yesterday, Puget Sound Partnership’s head David Dicks resigned from PSP to accept a position at the University of Washington. For those who missed this, the Seattle Times has the story: Norm Dicks' son leaves Puget Sound clean-up agency for UW (http://tinyurl.com/2e23zpd)

NMTA has collaborated with PSP over the years, playing a leading role in their Action Agenda. We wish David good luck with his next venture and will be interested to see who replaces him.

Seattle Boat Show to offer boat buyer prize, seeking partners

Attention Seattle Boat Show boat dealers and/or manufacturers:

I am pleased to share with you news about an exciting and innovative promotion we are putting together to drive attendance and boat sales at this winter’s Seattle Boat Show, January 21-30, 2011.

Starting in December, the Seattle Boat Show Facebook account (www.facebook.com/SeattleBoatShow) will begin giving away a $500 weekly shopping spree to followers/fans of the page. Those weekly giveaway prizes can be used to purchase any products or services for sale at the show. In addition to the weekly giveaway, we are also awarding a $5,000 grand prize that can only be used as a credit toward the purchase of a boat at the show. This is where you have the opportunity to get involved. The $5,000 boat credit can be used to purchase any boat in the show. However, we are looking for any interested dealers/manufacturers to partner on this promotion to add to the prize incentive by providing additional boat buyer credits.

Click Here to Read More.

Election Night was a Great Night for NMTA

With just a few races still to be determined, it’s interesting to see the impact of NMTA’s Political Action Committee. Here’s a quick overview of the $22,000 and 48 races where we made financial contributions:

-Protecting our allies: NMTA is excited to have our friends re-elected to the Senate and House of Representatives, including (boater) Rep. Judy Clibborn (Mercer Island), Rep. Troy Kelley (Lakewood) and Sens. Tim Sheldon (Mason Country) and Derek Kilmer (Gig Harbor)

-Playing in open seats: We targeted several key open seats where the incumbents retired. In particular, we welcome Sens-elect Doug Ericksen (Blaine) and Rep.-elect Ann Rivers (Lewis County).

-Smiting our opponents: Thanks to your contributions, Election Day was very good to our industry. Specifically, we replaced foes with leaders who have an affinity to our issues. This partial list includes freshly-minted members Sens.-elect Joe Fain (Kent), Michael Baumgartner (Spokane) and Andy Hill (Kirkland).

If the current results hold, NMTA would have an 86% win-rate in the Senate and an 80%win-rate in the House. Additionally, the income tax initiative that would severely impact our members was soundly defeated.

The next leg of work here is in the hands of NMTA’s Government Affairs Committee, which meets on the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 am at NMTA’s office. As members, you are always welcome to attend.