Jan 21 is Seattle Boat Show Day

Get out your calendars as the opening of the Seattle Boat Show is fast approaching. To commemorate this special occassion, NMTA has declared Jan 21 as Seattle Boat Show day in Washington State. For more info on the Boat Show, please visit http://www.seattleboatshow.com/

Update on copper-bottom paint phase-out

To get the latest on NMTA's push to phase-out copper-bottom paint, take a look at today's Three Sheets Northwest (www.threesheetsnw.com).

The complete story is here: http://threesheetsnw.com/blog/archives/14538

Boatyard permit news

After chatting with Dept of Ecology, NMTA has learned that the boatyard permit is scheduled to be issued in "late winter/early spring." This is an update from the mid-January timeframe that we had been using.

WBA Annual Meeting is fast approaching

Our friends at the Washington Boating Alliance have recently announced the details for their second annual meeting. We are proud to help underwrite this event and are active participants in this organization.

January 21, 2011, 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Seattle Boat Show, Silver Cloud Hotel ~ Stadium (1046 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA (across the street to the West of the Qwest Field Event Center where opening day of the Seattle Boat Show will be in progress.))

“Boating in 2011 through Rough Economic and Legislative Waters”

Program:
12:00pm – 12:30pm
Gathering time / coffee

12:30pm – 12:55pm
“WBA: Where we are? How did we get here? The course ahead.”
Steve Greaves, WBA, Chair

12:55 – 1:20pm
“The Puget Sound Partnership: How boaters are involved and how boaters can help”
Gerry O’Keefe, Acting Executive Director, Puget Sound Partnership

1:20pm – 1:45pm
“Rising from the Recession: a Fragile Recovery for the Boating Industry”, BST Associates
Paul Sorensen, Principal, BST Associates

1:45pm – 2:10pm
“Non-Highway Fuel Tax Study”, Joint Transportation Committee
Mary Fleckenstein, Coordinator, Joint Transportation Committee

2:10pm - 2:25pm
Break

2:25pm – 2:50pm
“Activities Supporting Recreational Boating in Washington”, Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee
Fara Daun, Research Analyst, Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee

2:50pm – 3:15pm
“Directions in Natural Resource Agency Consolidation”, Recreation and Conservation Office
Kaleen Cottingham, Director, Recreation and Conservation Office

3:15pm – 3:45pm
Panel: “The 2011 Legislative Session: Bills, Budgets, and Boaters”
Doug Levy, RBAW Lobbyist;
Chuck Foster, NYBA Lobbyist;
Peter Schrappen, NMTA, Government Affairs

3:45pm – 3:55pm
Group discussion / Q & A: “Next Steps: What can you do?”
Attendees’ discussion with Panel moderated by Steve Greaves

3:55pm – 4:00pm
Meeting wrap-up, closing comments, Boat Show passes, thank you for attending.
Steve Greaves

Opening Ceremony of the Seattle Boat Show: Attendees of the WBA Annual Meeting will receive complementary passes to enter the Seattle Boat Show. Attendees are invited to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Seattle Boat Show at 6:00pm in the West Hall of the Qwest Field Event Center.

Parking: Pay parking is available at both the Silver Cloud Hotel ~ Stadium and the Qwest Field Event Center.

RSVP: All attendees at the WBA Annual Meeting are asked to RSVP before January 18th by email to Steve Greaves at sgreaves@portagebaysystems.com or by phone at 206-371-0486.

Support: The WBA appreciates the support Northwest Marine Trade Association and the Recreational Boating Association of Washington in hosting this Annual Meeting.
WBA Mission Statement: The mission of the Washington Boating Alliance, an all-inclusive alliance of boating-related organizations, is to develop, advance, and implement consensus positions and proposals to enhance the recreational boating experience in Washington.

Seattle Boat Show, Seahawks playoff schedule

With the Seattle Seahawks win last night, the team will host a play-off game at Qwest Field this weekend. This means there is still a potential for conflict with the boat show. The only scenario where the Seahawks could host a game at Qwest Field during the show is if they win their next two games AND the Green Bay Packers win their next two games. If that occurs, the Seahawks would host Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 23. If Green Bay loses its game against Philadelphia this weekend (or the following weekend against Atlanta), then there is no chance for a conflict regardless if the Seahawks win all of their games.

If the Seahawks do host the game on 1/23, NMTA has a plan in place to adopt an alternative layout that involves moving exhibitors out of the North Hall and re-organizing the East Hall and moving some exhibitors to the expanded concourse located on the 2nd floor of the Qwest Field garage. The show would also likely need to be closed for some or all of the day of the game. All other show dates and hours would likely remain the same.

If you have questions about this plan, please contact the NMTA office at 206-634-0911.