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.