Marine Trades Association of New Jersey Conference & Expo 2013 "Your Beacon for Success"

Manasquan, NJ - The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) will be holding their 2013 Conference & Expo on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood, NJ. The MTA/NJ Conference & Expo is a one day educational event that is held every other year and organized specifically for marine business owners, operators, employees and anyone involved in recreational boating in New Jersey. The conference will cover a wide range of subjects with informative presentations and interactive sessions designed to help participants manage their businesses more effectively and provide them with the tools needed for success.

The MTA/NJ Conference & Expo will provide participants with a wealth of information that is presented to help businesses learn, grow and succeed. The conference provides an opportunity to network with fellow participants, meet with state agencies, talk directly with speakers and walk away with information and tools that can be immediately applied to everyday business matters.

Conference topics include: A State of Industry Panel Presentation with leaders from three national associations representing different aspects of the boating industry sharing their thoughts on the State of the Industry and its Outlook for the future. Panel Speakers include: Thom Dammrich, President, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA); Jim Frye, President and Chair, Association of Marina Industries (AMI), Westrec Marinas; and Matt Gruhn, President, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA).

There will be a Technology Today Segment covering Social Media Marketing and Email Marketing, and an Insurance Panel with experts representing different areas of insurance that will provide important information for marine businesses on topics ranging from Hurricane Sandy issues and lessons learned to insurance considerations, insurance claims and how to prepare and plan for the future.

The conference will also address many of the new issues and challenges that businesses are dealing with as a result of Hurricane Sandy and will provide important information on recovery and rebuilding. These presentations include: What Can We Learn from Sandy, presented by Beth Leonard, Director of Technical Services for BoatUS; NJ Waterways Update: An update on what is being done to ensure New Jersey's waterways are navigable including an update on debris removal and dredging, presented by Jane Kozinski, DEP Assistant Commissioner & Genevieve Boehm Clifton, DOT Office of Maritime Resources; Update on the State's Rebuilding Efforts, Coastal Rule Changes Impacting Marinas and Overview of Final Public Access Rules, presented by Ray Cantor, DEP Chief Advisor; Update on Financial Resources Available for Small Businesses, presented by Presented by Lori Matheus, NJ Economic Development Authority.

There will also be a Q & A Open Session where participants will have the opportunity to discuss and exchange information and ideas on the most pressing issues facing their businesses today.

The MTA/NJ has also arranged a number of "Help Desks" to be open during the conference. Representatives from state agencies and industry programs, including the Department of Environmental Protection, NJ Clean Marina Program and NJ Clean Vessel Act Program will be available to assist attendees and answer any questions they may have about their permits, applications, grant funding and marine industry programs. Representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers and SBA have also been invited.

"The conference provides a great opportunity for New Jersey marine businesses to hear from a diverse array of speakers all providing helpful tips and important information that can be taken away and immediately applied to their businesses operations," stated Melissa Danko, MTA/NJ Executive Director. "In light of all of the new issues and challenges we are dealing with from Hurricane Sandy, we made sure to cover these important topics and invite key representatives from state agencies to update our attendees and provide critical information for recovery and rebuilding."

Registration is still open and the cost to attend is $115 for MTA/NJ members and $195 for Non-Members. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

For more information about the conference or to register to attend, contact the MTA/NJ Office at (732) 292-1051; info@mtanj.org or visit mtanj.org for more information.
About the MTA/NJ
The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ), established in 1972, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, advancing and protecting the recreational marine industry and waterways in the State of New Jersey. The MTA/NJ is dedicated to the interests of the industry as a whole for the benefit of its individual members and the consumers whom they serve. The MTA/NJ produces two boat shows, the Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo held in September at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood and the New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo held in February at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center in Edison. The MTA/NJ proudly endorses the Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show held in February.