2025 Detailed Agenda
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Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Note All Times Listed are EST
Schedule and Speakers Subject to Change
Monday, JANUARY 27, 2025 |
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| 8:00 am- 5:00 pm | Clean Marina Course (Day 1) |
Tuesday, JANUARY 28, 2025Pre-Conference Workshops |
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| 8:00 am - 4:00 pm | Exhibitor move-in to Exhibit Hall |
| 8:00 am - 11:00 am | Clean Marina Course (Day 2) Sponsored by Booyah Clean |
| 8:00 am - 11:00 am | Marina 101 Sponsored by Cushman & Wakefield | Recreational Property Advisors Carl Wolf, CMM, CMI, Marina Operations, LLC Marina 101 is a three-hour, marina industry introduction course on Monday, January 28, 2025. It is geared toward those individuals with little or no marina experience who are looking to enter the industry by way of an advancement opportunity, career shift, or an interest in purchasing or developing a marina. The Marina 101 course includes six individual presentations, created and presented by Carl F. Wolf, CMM, CMI and former president of the International Marina Institute. The session offers an inside view of the various aspects of marina operations. Presentations cover the topics of day-to-day and seasonal operations, maintenance, emergency preparedness, long-term planning, financial reports, and the various roles of a marina manager. Session topics will include Challenges of Managing a Marina on a Day-to-Day Basis; A Marina Manager's Daily Assessment; Daily Challenges of Marina Maintenance; The Ugly Side of Deferred Maintenance; A Summary on Emergency Preparedness; and Seasonal Preparedness. |
| 8:00 am - 11:00 pm | Rising Waters: Coping with Extreme Weather Wayne Cobleigh, CPSM, Vice President, GZA; Margaret Boshek, PE, Senior Coastal Engineer, Moffatt & Nichol This presentation and workshop will assess marina industry trends and quantifying marina extreme storm vulnerabilities using a “risk-based” approach and incorporating “Resilient Marina” measures into the design of marinas including site design, buildings and accessory structures, marina systems, docks, and piers. We will review the benefit-cost relationships for investing in climate adaptation and resiliency for reducing property damages and losses from physical damage to buildings and structures, damage to building contents, boats, and marina systems and components. We will evaluate strategies to prevent environmental releases and penalties and business disruption, and the sustainability and affordability of insurance coverage will be examined. We will review the convergence of many environmental and business factors that are expected to result in both increased risks and transformational change within the marina industry, such as the need for more resilient marina design, increasing property casualty insurance premiums, improved emergency preparedness, changes to building codes to increase resiliency to flood and wind. |
| 8:00 am - 11:00 am | ABBRA Annual Conference |
| 11:30 am - 4:30 pm | Marina & Boatyard Tour- check-in begins at 11:00 am at registration outside Exhibit Hall A |
| 2:00 pm | Registration Opens |
| 4:30 pm- 5:45 pm | AMI Annual Meeting and 1st Time Attendee Reception |
| 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm |
Opening Reception, Exhibit Hall A, Sponsored by Marina Electrical Clean and Resilient Marina Awardees Reception, Exhibit Hall A , Booth 609 |
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 |
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| 7:15 am | Registration Opens |
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| 7:30 am - 8:00 am | CMM/CMO Awardees Breakfast |
| 8:00 am | Conference Welcome & Opening Keynote Chad E. Foster, Blind Ambition, Sponsored by Suntex Marinas In this signature keynote, Chad will entertain, inspire, and move your audience, while teaching them how to shift their mindset from victim to visionary™. Going blind at 21-years-old and facing a life with seemingly limited opportunities, Chad had to reinvent himself before even having a shot at success. Turning obstacles into opportunities, he became a Harvard-educated rainmaker, created countless jobs, and now he teaches teams how to cultivate resilient mindsets, adapt and thrive in change, and set ambitious goals with the right mindset to achieve them. This program gives your people the tools and inspiration to overcome difficult circumstances and create a promising positive future. More than just a motivational talk, this session connects inspiration to implementation. |
| 9:30 am | CMM and CMO Awards |
| 10:00 am | Exhibit Hall Opens |
| 10:00 am- 4:00 pm 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm |
Breakout Sessions, Breaks and Lunch Sponsored by Golden Boatlifts Second- day Reception BoatPAC Reception, Booth 609 |
BREAKOUT SESSIONS |
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| 10:30 am– 11:30 am | Victim to Visionary Resilience - Sponsored by MarineMax Chad E. Foster, Blind Ambition Chad will lead you through the steps to improve resilience. He teaches the practical tools to apply to any situation to move your mindset from victim to visionary. During this session, you will map out your resilience journey. After laying out your own personal vision of greatness, you will see your life more clearly. It can set you free to discover the amazing advantages offered by your disadvantages. You can then seek your own gifts that are disguised in bad wrapping paper and see how your unique perspectives gained from your disadvantages contribute to your vision of greatness. Nothing in life is permanent. Everybody and everything changes. Only change is certain. The key is figuring out how you will adapt. |
Wrapping It Up: Best Practices and Innovations in Shrink Wrap Applications Jesse Ray Mcardell, NMMA and Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Shrink wrap, a ubiquitous packaging material, faces scrutiny for its environmental impact. This session will explore groundbreaking advancements in sustainable shrink wrap solutions and effective recycling programs. Key Topics:
By attending this session, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest innovations in sustainable shrink wrap and recycling programs. You will learn how to reduce your environmental impact, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to a more circular economy. |
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Navigating the Marina Permitting Process in Environmentally Sensitive Coastal Areas Penny Cutt and Gina Chiello, Cummins Cederberg, Inc. Environmental permits are required from federal, state and, in some cases, local agencies. Environmental regulatory permitting in environmentally sensitive coastal areas can be lengthy, challenging, and costly. Understanding potential challenges early on can help streamline the process. This presentation will discuss key concerns of environmental regulatory agencies, including ecologically important marine resources, sovereign submerged lands and riparian rights, water quality, and resiliency and mitigation opportunities. Two former regulators who now have extensive experience working in the private sector will discuss the impact of these environmental regulatory programs on marina projects. In addition to providing a deeper understanding of the environmental permitting process, this presentation will provide strategies for avoiding and minimizing ecological impacts to reduce permitting timelines and costs. Project case studies will illustrate effective approaches to navigating the environmental regulatory permitting process while highlighting specific strategies used to navigate the various challenges. |
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Creating a Culture of Safety at Your Marina: Build a Culture of Safety, Not Fear, Tom Delotto, CMM, Suntex Marinas When is the time NOT right to create a culture of safety at your marina? The answer? The time is always right – at any moment, anywhere – to start or improve the safety culture embedded in your marina operations. Developing or improving a culture of safety targeted at preventing marina team and customer injuries shows everyone on your property that you care about their well-being —a true “WIN-WIN” at any time. The strength of your culture directly impacts the overall health of your organization. Culture is an integral part of your success, so as Step 1, you must develop the strategy and tactics you will use to measure progress and impact. |
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| Access Denied, Upland Construction and Active Marina Operations Megan Lagasse, Pier Sixty-Six and Andrea Riba, Tavistock In any marina, no matter how well-designed or expertly run, access is everything. But what happens when the land-side access—roads, walkways, parking, utilities—is in flux due to construction? In this session, you’ll dive into the complexities of managing active marina operations amid upland construction challenges. Drawing on firsthand experience with the latest Pier Sixty-Six redevelopment, you’ll explore strategies to address everything from unexpected utility disruptions to coordinating with contractors and navigating the needs of long-standing marina guests. We’ll discuss proactive communication methods to keep marina teams, construction crews, and customers in sync—fostering transparency and reducing friction as projects evolve. You’ll learn how to implement flexible plans, set realistic expectations and maintain a quality customer experience, even when the sounds and sights of construction are part of the environment. Here’s what you’ll explore:
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| 1:00 pm– 2:30 pm | Women’s Leadership Panel, Sponsored by Sea Land Insurance Moderator Michele Goldsmith, Soundings Trade Only Group; Heather Mess, MarineMax; Maria Nardi, Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces; Megan Lagasse, Pier Sixty Six; and Kim Sweers, FB Marine Group. Get life lessons from women who found their voice and propelled their careers in l leadership, marketing, operations, management, and media in the marine industry. Join Michele Goldsmith, vice president and general manager, Soundings Trade Only Group, in an inspiring discussion with four female leaders whose experiences illustrates how they advanced through their careers. The panel will answer previously submitted questions and share stories about how they built their personal brands, became leaders in the industry, and helped others rise to their potential. Join this dynamic group of industry leaders and learn what it takes to exude an executive presence while being authentic and true to your core self. |
| 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Marina Electrical Systems: Design and Code Compliance Updates Chris Dolan, Marina Electrical Equipment National electrical codes can be confusing to many marina owners and operators as standards change every few years. Understanding what codes apply and how to apply them is an important part of running a safe and effective marina. This presentation will review basic marina electrical design concepts and code requirements and provide a translated version of the code that all can understand. Special emphasis will be placed on:
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| Incorporating Nature into Your Marina to Save Money and Attract Customers Greg Weykamp, Edgewater Resources, LLC If you are planning to renovate or expand your marina or build a new facility, you will find the permitting process challenging. Opposition to marinas from local environmental organizations has increased scrutiny on marina permit applications. Fortunately, there are strategies for addressing these concerns while also improving the quality of your facility. This can be accomplished at a reasonable cost, or even lower cost than traditional approaches, while also qualifying your projects for grant funding. This session explores case studies where concepts such as soft, planted shorelines replaced vertical hardened walls, resulting in a calmer wave climate, a better-looking edge, cleaner water in the basin, a faster permitting process, and lower costs. Other cases explore how habitat structures built into breakwaters allowed for lower breakwater height and the same performance, or how habitat structures helped fund construction. |
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| Bridging the Generational Gap Zachary Commeau, Safe Harbor Marinas This session explores practical strategies for fostering understanding and collaboration among diverse generational groups in workplaces, communities, and social settings. Participants will gain insights into the unique perspectives, values, and communication styles of different generations and learn how to navigate potential challenges stemming from these differences. Through engaging discussions and actionable tips, attendees will leave equipped to build stronger, more inclusive relationships that leverage the strengths of all generations for shared success. |
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| Inspections, Condition Assessments, and Rehabilitation Plans for Your Marina- Sponsored by Simply Marinas Jack Cox and Nick Cortes, Edgewater Resources, LLC Regular inspection of marina infrastructure often gets set aside for more immediate, daily issues, such as taking care of our boaters. However, regular inspections can provide useful insights that can help you identify issues before they become critical safety concerns. Routine inspections may be simple, relatively quick, and easily documentable so that information can be passed from employee to employee. Catching weak links proactively will aid in long term maintenance planning for any marina. This presentation will focus on common issues observed in marinas, when to contact engineering and design professionals, recommended frequency of professional inspections, various types and levels of inspections, and standard reference manuals used throughout the port and marina industries (such as the American Society of Engineers Manual No. 130). This presentation will include a focus on repair, rehabilitation, and reconstruction methods and strategies. |
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| 3:00 pm– 4:00 pm | The New Marina Management Model: Preparing Leaders for Corporate Change- Sponsored by Cummins Cederberg Jim Frye, CMM, Suntex Marinas; Michelle Alexandrowicz, Engage In the wake of corporate influence on marina operations, a notable shift from family-run to corporate structures presents significant challenges for leaders navigating unfamiliar terrain. Our session is tailored to address these challenges by providing practical insights and strategies for success in this evolving landscape, where we explore both the tactical and psychological aspects of change. These include: Time Management and Capacity Building: Preventing burnout and managing demanding schedules effectively; Spreadsheet Management to Hosting the Experience: Facilitating the potential conflicts in meeting the expectations of investor owners and marina customers; Change Management Support: Providing insights on managing organizational change and equipping managers for implementation; and Hiring and Retaining Talent: Highlighting strategic hiring approaches and people strategies for talent retention. Join us an impactful discussion, empowering leaders to thrive amidst industry transformation. |
| Preparing Your Marina for Electric Powered Boats and Vehicles Greg Weykamp, Edgewater Resources, LLC; Tom Delotto, CMM, Suntex Marinas; Gary Loftis, Maffett & Loftis Engineering; and Tony Carli, Fire Boat Academy The transition, in years to come, from traditional fossil fuel powered boats to electric propulsion systems will have profound effects on our marinas. The time to prepare is now. While electric powertrains in boats are trailing electric cars by 10 years (the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2024 was the Tesla Model Y), bans on internal combustion engines will take effect around the world between 2025 and 2035. With the expected life of marina and utility infrastructure in the 30–50-year range, anything built in the next 10 years will be in place for decades in a world where new electric powertrains will become the norm. This session will bring together industry leaders, including marina designers, electrical engineers, and boat and equipment manufacturers, to discuss how to prepare your facility for the future at the lowest cost. |
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| Resilient Marinas: Marina Vulnerability Assessment and Resilient Design-Sponsored by MarineMax Daniel Stapleton, Matthew Page and Wayne Colbeigh, GZA Environmental. A summary of the Pre-conference Session takeaways including marina industry trends and quantifying marina extreme storm vulnerabilities using a “risk-based” approach and incorporating “Resilient Marina” measures into the design of marinas including site design, buildings and accessory structures, marina systems, docks, and piers. We will review the benefit-cost relationships for investing in climate adaptation and resiliency for reducing property damages and losses from physical damage to buildings and structures, damage to building contents, boats, and marina systems and components. We will review the convergence of many environmental and business factors that are expected to result in both increased risks and transformational change within the marina industry. |
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| Orchestrating High-Performance Teams: A Maestro's Guide for Leaders Javier Pena, Leading in Tune Feeling Like Your Team Is Out of Tune? Despite all the great work your organization is doing, is your team not sounding its best? In this 50-minute session, you’ll learn how to conduct your team like a wellsynchronized orchestra by integrating leadership and music principles to create a culture based on harmony. Through inspiring case studies, actionable strategies based on neuroscience research on music and the brain, and a unique and fresh approach, we will explore how to: • Transform team dynamics using the orchestra model, where every role is essential, and collaboration transcends hierarchy • Build psychological safety and team cohesion through evidence-based approaches that blend musical principles with workplace dynamics • Find your team's optimal tempo: Drive measurable financial ROI through increased productivity, reduced turnover, and enhanced collaboration This presentation is ideal for leaders seeking fresh, inspiring ideas to re-energize teams, dismantle silos, and cultivate a culture based on harmony. Through cuttingedge research and engaging musical examples, gain actionable insights that transform your leadership approach and create workplace harmony that drives results. |
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| ChatGPT 101 for Busy Marina Owners Costas Schuler, Envisionary Design Is AI the end of the world as we know it—or is it just a fascinating way to make life easier? Join Costas Schuler for a fun, no-nonsense look at artificial intelligence that is equal parts reality check and practical toolkit. In this lively talk, Costas will walk you through how AI can help with real, everyday tasks—like handling repetitive customer questions, brainstorming fresh ideas, and “yes”, even crafting great emails—all without the tech overwhelm. With live demonstrations, interactive problem-solving, and a chance to throw your own challenges at the tech, you will discover how AI can simplify your work today, hype-free. This is not about doomsday predictions; it is about getting practical tools that work for you. Expect laughs, surprises, and plenty of “aha” moments that make AI feel a little less weird and a lot more useful. You’ll leave with real ideas you can use right away—no tech experience required! |
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| 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm |
Reception on Exhibit Hall Floor BoatPAC reception, Exhibit Hall A, Booth 609 |
| 5:45 pm | CMM and CMO Dinner, Atlantic 1-4, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina (invite only) |
| 8:00 pm- 11:00 pm | Social Night, Intracoastal Room, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Sponsored by Golden Giant |
Thursday, January 30, 2025 |
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| 8:30 am | Registration Opens |
| 9:00 am | Daily Welcome and 2nd Day Keynote Fear(less): Navigating the Rising Waters of Change- Sponsored by RBFF Dr. Rebecca Heiss Leveraging decades of research into stress and human behavior, Dr. Rebecca Heiss will share an inspiring and interactive mix of stories and science-backed techniques for transforming fear and stress into the fuel that will propel us all forward. With her groundbreaking T-3 framework, rather than fight against stress, we can use it to our advantage—by learning how to lean into it and ride the wave of change rather than drown in the overwhelm. |
| 10:00 am | Exhibit Hall Opens |
| 10:00 am - 3:00 pm | Breakout Sessions and Lunch Sponsored by Eagle Floats |
BREAKOUT SESSIONS |
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| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Fear(less) Deep Dive Dr. Rebecca Heiss, Keynote Dive deeper into the T-3 technique to understand how being the non-expert and finding a common enemy can build psychological safety and deepen your team's connections to one another and their purpose. Rich with exercises and demonstrations, this breakout session will ensure you have the tools to implement a fear(less) mindset for yourself and your teams. |
| Grow Revenue, Reduce Risk, and Exceed Customer Expectations: Achieving the Impossible? Brent Wierson, Storable In today’s competitive marina and boat rental industry, providing friendly, efficient, and reliable service is no longer enough. The rise of e-commerce, self-service technologies, and heightened consumer expectations have transformed what clients demand. But how can you simultaneously grow revenue, reduce risk, and exceed these elevated expectations? This session will explore how leading marina, service, and boat rental operators are leveraging different tools and processes to enhance profitability while managing risks and delivering exceptional customer experiences. We’ll delve into the latest industry trends, share compelling statistics, and provide actionable insights into how technology is reshaping the industry. Whether you’re looking to boost your bottom line, safeguard your operations, or delight your customers, this session will provide the strategies and tools you need to achieve all three. |
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| Tell Me What You Want - Sponsored by Den Hartog Dan Natchez, Daniel S Natchez & Associates What do your customers think are the most important reasons for being at your facility? What do boaters really want, and how does that translate into higher earnings? The answers to these questions are relevant to your marina—regardless of its size and geographic location. Why? Because if you don’t know what your customers want, it is awfully hard to give it to them! |
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| Building Resilient and SMART Marinas of the Future- Sponsored by Leisure Investment Properties Group Elsa Nicole, Falco and Kelly Flood, Poralu Marine “Psychologists define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress. […] Resilience involves behaviors, thoughts and actions that anyone can learn and develop”. The main goal of a SMART city/marina is to optimize functions and promote economic growth while improving the quality of life for citizens/boaters by using SMART technologies and data analysis. The value lies in how this technology is used rather than simply how much technology is available. |
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| 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Attracting and Retaining Talent in the Marina Industry Sabrina Brigance and Troy Vermillion, Hylant Beginning with an overview of the current landscape, this session delves into the multi-faceted issues facing marinas, including the complexities of recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce that spans five generations. This includes the difficulties of engaging younger demographics, the repercussions of losing key personnel to industry competitors, and addressing these challenges to ensure sustained success in the long term. The session offers strategies tailored to marinas—from understanding the evolution of recruitment methods to leveraging social media for targeted outreach. It offers practical insights into revitalizing efforts at attracting talent and the importance of investing in employee development and career training—with a focus on establishing clear growth paths and implementing continuous learning initiatives. The session delves into the critical components of a competitive benefits package and compensation structure, underscoring the need to adapt to the changing needs and expectations of today’s workforce. There is also a deep dive into fostering a safety culture, post-crisis management strategies, and development of effective management and leadership skills. Attendees are invited to ask questions, the answers to which will provide invaluable insights to apply to their own marina operations. |
| Marinas Ain’t for Sissies – Part 2 – Now You Own It. How Do You Add Value to It? - Sponsored by Colliers|Leisure Property Advisors Robert Fowler, Fowler Construction and Development “Value-add opportunities” is a common buzz-phrase in many marina buying propositions. The question is, now that you bought it, how do you capitalize on these opportunities? Development, redevelopment, repositioning, expanding, diversifying, and even refreshing a marina is an intense, complicated, and often overwhelming job—even for the highly experienced. There may be dozens of authorities having Jurisdiction/ AHJs involved in permitting and many “professionals” needed to build your project. In this interactive session we will discuss the key factors in choosing your project leader including—do they understand marinas and the business: everything from docks, racks, utilities, seawalls, lifts, fueling, tech… to industry trends, markets, materials, industry players, restaurants, retail, and creating member experiences. Do they understand your big picture—i.e., your vision, needs, and more? You have your own, full-time role to fill. So don’t be a Sissy. Hire the right leader. |
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| Planning the Perfect Marina from Concept to Compliance- Sponsored by SVN Dan Williams, MSA Just because you have a piece of waterfront property does not mean it is the right location for a marina. Nor does a throwing-darts-at-a-board approach to dock location and slip size equate to a better return on investment. In the world of marina design, forethought matters. Owners must consider the surrounding environment and marina market, and current and future boater demands, They also must conduct due diligence to ensure the marina complies with design standards, accessibility best practices, and regulatory requirements. This presentation will explore the importance of planning in marina development, discuss standards defined by the Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors Manual 50, and provide examples of successful context-specific marina projects. |
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| What to Expect from Congress and the New Administration Eric Kretsch, Association of Marina Industries A new President and Congress have been elected. Come hear from AMI and LobbyIt, AMI’s legislative team, what's on tap in Congress and the newly formed Administration for 2025. |
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| 2:00 pm | Exhibit Hall Closes |
| 2:00 pm- 5:00 pm | Exhibitor move-out |
| 3:00 pm | AMI Conference & Expo Concludes |
