Additional details on the Grow Sailing Workshops, to be held by the national trade organization with focus on the growth of the sailing market Sail America during this year’s Sailing Industry Conference, were unveiled yesterday. An integral part of its From Survive — to Thrive theme, and modeled after the successful Grow Boating “Growth Summit,” the hands-on Grow Sailing Workshops will concentrate on identifying ways to grow the sailing market as well as define the Sailing Industry’s contribution to recreational boating.
At this year’s conference, Sail America will facilitate group discussions to determine how the sailing industry can most effectively and efficiently contribute to a larger boating industry growth initiative. Originally initiated by the NMMA, responsibility for this growth initiative is now shifting to an all-industry leadership group, of which Sail America is a member.
Results of the 2012 Sailing Industry Conference workshops will be compiled and presented to the Boating Industry leadership group as the unified voice of the sailing industry. Workshops lead by Mark Amaral of Lighthouse Consulting Group, Carl Blackwell of the NMMA, Ross Kilborn of Yachting Australia and Jack Gierhart of US SAILING will include topics such as attracting and retaining youth sailors, education, diversity in sailing, marketing sailing, affordability and more. Conclusions and recommendations from each of the workshops will be presented later in the program.
“The Grow Sailing Workshops at this year’s Sail America Industry Conference allow the members of the industry to join together and discuss the topics associated with, and provide answers to, propelling the sailing industry forward,” said Jonathan Banks, executive director, Sail America. “With attendees representing all aspects of our industry, the 2012 Sailing Industry Conference is a fantastic venue for participants to voice their opinions and help shape the future direction of the sailing market. I highly recommend that anyone who has not signed up for the Industry Conference seriously consider registering and attending.”
Sail America’s 2012 Sailing Industry Conference and Grow Sailing Workshops will take place Monday, June 25–Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at the Newport Harbor Hotel, 49 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport, RI. Conference registration begins at $325 and includes a day and a half of informational educational seminars, a welcome reception on June 25, two lunches, and transportation to offsite events.
