Taking place on Wednesday 24 October 2012 from 8:00-10:00am in the Grande View Room at the Bahia Mar, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the International Superyacht Society (ISS) is delighted to present panelists for its featured presentation topic — World Adventures — for the Society’s Annual Membership Meeting & Breakfast.
The program is moderated by Diane M. Byrne, from MegayachtNews. Panelists include Jill Bobrow (Yachts International/Jill Bobrow Associates), Ken Hickling (AkzoNobel), Scott Lockman (Marsh), Billy Smith (Trinity Yachts) and Norma Trease (Salamanca Marine).
World Adventures: The Business of Fun!
– Brazil, China & Russia: Understanding the cultural challenges of each market
– What is Yachting—Knowledge versus Desire: How to educate a population about an in-demand luxury product and lifestyle that most have never seen nor experienced
– Brand Synergies/Collaboration: Collaborating with other luxury-sector companies to gain exposure; evaluating sponsorship opportunities that involve competitors so that “The good of all can be achieved.”
– Philanthropy & Safety: Aligning your company with charitable organizations and emergency assistance organizations, and encouraging your clients to do the same
The breakfast is sponsored by Marsh, the perpetual ISS Silver Supporter of the event. The Annual Meeting is open to ISS membership. There is a $25.00 entrance fee for those wishing to attend who are not ISS members; however, those wishing to become members may apply the ticket value toward annual membership dues.
World Adventures: The Business of Fun—Panelists
Moderator
Diane M. Byrne, MegayachtNews, Founder and Editor
PANELISTS
Jill Bobrow—Yachts International/Jill Bobrow Associates, LLC
Jill Bobrow is currently Editor-At-Large for Yachts International magazine. She also is the director of an independent consultancy company, Jill Bobrow Associates LLC. Jill has had a long career in yachting journalism and the marine industry, having being Editor- in- Chief of both Boat International USA and ShowBoats International respectively. She co-authored more than 15 books; her most recent books are S/Y Marie, The Bucket Book, 25 Years of Megayacht Racing, Classic Sailing Yachts, and Outrageous Yachts. She been on the ISS Board since February 2011, also serves on the Board of “Ports of Cause” and is on the Honorary Board of the 2012 Award Committee for International Seakeepers Society.
Ken Hickling—Akzo Nobel/ISS 2012 President
Ken started his career in the yacht industry with composites specialist SP Systems following graduation from Southampton Institute in Yacht Manufacturing & Management. After moving to International Paint as a product manager he worked on finishing systems before being seconded to the USA to concentrate on superyachts. After returning to the UK he took up the position of global manager of Awlgrip in 2004 once the company became part of AkzoNobel. From 2011 Ken has been working on introducing new products from the wider AkzoNobel portfolio into the Yacht Division. Having served as Vice President and Treasurer as well as Board Member for the ISS, Ken was elected by the board as President in 2012.
Scott Lockman—Marsh
Scott Lockman is head of the Marsh Private Client Services Luxury Yacht Practice. He directs the business that serves luxury yacht owners, providing asset-protection consulting and insurance services for megayachts around the world. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Yacht Practice designs and manages risk management programs for luxury yachts worldwide with values ranging from $1 million to more than $350 million. With 30 years in the insurance business, Scott spent the past 15 years on Marsh’s commercial risk management side, managing business risk solutions by performing risk analyses and strategic reviews, and then developing solutions matrices for companies in a consultative manner. He also brought to Marsh experience in handling USL&H, P&I and international marine cargo claims.
Billy Smith—Trinity Yachts
William (Billy) S. Smith III, one of the most recognizable leaders in the superyacht industry, has a long and remarkable career in yachting, dating to 1976. A shareholder and Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Trinity Yachts, LLC, Billy has held the position since the founding of Trinity Yachts in 1988 (and when the company was a division of renowned Halter Marine, Inc.). Trinity Yachts, LLC was formed in April 2000. By implementing fundamental marketing disciplines of research, analysis and development to create company-wide initiatives of innovation, diversification and blessed with a keen eye for detail, Billy’s impact has been one of exceptional growth and profitability for Trinity. The collaboration, teamwork, dedication and leadership between Billy Smith and Trinity Yachts President, John Dane, have resulted in firmly positioning Trinity as one of the world’s elite builders of custom superyachts. Trinity Yachts is the largest custom yacht builder in the United States.
Norma Trease—Salamanca Marine
Norma Trease, Director of Salamanca Marine, the yachting division of Salamanca Group, has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the yacht world. Beginning as an onboard crew member, her business career began with the founding and ownership of multi-national crew recruitment firm, The Crew Network. She then went on to a busy career as a yacht journalist, founding several titles of fame, including Dockwalk, Captains Log and Crew Report; currently holding the title Editor-At-Large for Yachting Matters. She is very active in many yachting organizations, including serving on the boards of ISS and PYA and is a supporting member of SeaKeepers and BWI. Regularly invited as a speaker and moderator for international conferences, she is also an avid racing sailor and opera fan.
