1989 NAPVO ANNUAL CONVENTION

San Diego, California, January 7-11 The 17th annual convention of the National Association of Passenger Vessel Owners (NAPVO) will be held in San Diego, Calif., at the Catamaran Hotel from January 7-11, 1989. More than 200 NAPVO members, owners and operators of the nation's finest passenger vessels, dinner cruise boats and car ferries are expected to attend this year's convention.

One of the opening day events on Saturday, January 7, will be an ice breaker reception sponsored by boatbuilder Service Marine Industries, Ltd., of Morgan City, La. The reception, which will provide attendees with San Diego tour information, will be hosted by NAPVO board president Alan Bernstein.

Mr. Bernstein, owner of BB Riverboats, an excursion boat company located in Cincinnati, Ohio, was elected NAPVO board president at last year's annual convention, which was held in Washington, D.C., Janaury 10-14. He succeeded James Cross, owner and operator of Island Queen Excursions, Inc., Riviera Beach, Fla.

The morning plenary session on Sunday, January 8, at 10 a.m. to noon, will feature special guest speaker Phil Wexler. Mr. Wexler is an expert on sales and marketing techniques, and the author of the book, "Non Manipulative Selling." He will present "Marketing is a Philosophy— Not a Department." Additionally, he will hold a workshop called "How to Influence People Positively" at 1:30 p.m. Attendees will receive a special workbook for the session along with a copy of Mr.

Wexler's book.

Last year's annual conference attracted about 280 registrants and some 40 exhibitors.

One of the highlights of the convention will be a presentation by Rear Adm. Joel Sipes, Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection, on "U.S.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Office— What's New." Other plenary sessions will cover such important topics as Subchapter T-Boat Regulations, bareboat charters, and manning changes.

One dozen workshops will cover such topics as financing, marketing, safety and food service.

In addition, about 50 exhibitors will display their products and services.

On Sunday, January 8, at 8:30 a.m., Travel Agent Magazine will sponsor the "Captain's Welcoming Breakfast," a traditional NAPVO event, whereby attendees and new members are introduced to each other.

On the evening of January 8, convention attendees will be bused to the docks of a U.S. Naval aircraft carrier for a special guided tour.

From there, attendees will be bused to the location of two of San Diego's preeminent dinner cruise operations— San Diego Harbor Excursions and Invader Cruises. After a brief tour of the operators' vessels, attendees will enjoy a dinner cruise aboard either the Invader Cruisesoperated Showboat or the Monterey, operated by San Diego Harbor Cruises.

On Monday, January 9, at noon, convention participants will board the excursion boat William D.

Evans for a one and one half hour luncheon tour of Mission Bay.

On Tuesday, January 10, at 7 p.m., St. Louis insurance firm Marsh and McLennan will sponsor a banquet and dance. Several special awards will be presented, along with remarks from the outgoing and incoming NAPVO officers.

NAPVO is the largest independent trade association for the owners/ operators of dinner ships, sightseeing/ excursion boats, car ferries, windjammers and paddlewheelers in the U.S. Over 330 separate members operate within 40 states, including some of the country's largest metropolitan areas. An estimated 30 million vacationers, business executives, conventioners, restaurant goers and others, make use of NAPVO affiliated vessels throughout the year.

Some of the key benefits of NAPVO membership include qualification for discounted insurance programs, receipt of the organization's monthly newsletter, and an invitation to the annual convention.

As the organization's membership increases, so does is its impact on legislation that affects the passenger vessel industry.

For those interested in joining NAPVO, or learning more about its activities, contact: Eric Scharf, executive director, NAPVO National Headquarters, 1511 K Street, N.W., Suite 314, Washington, D.C. 20005; telephone: (202) 638-5310.

NAPVO ANNUAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE Saturday, January 7 9 a.m.-3 p.m.—Board of Directors Meeting 9 a.m.-noon—Exhibit Set-up 3-7 p.m.—General Registration/Exhibits 4-5 p.m.—New Member Orientation 5:30-7 p.m.—Ice Breaker Reception Sunday, January 8 8 a.m.-4 p.m.—Registration 9 a.m.-5 p.m.—Exhibitor Trade Show 8:30-9:45 a.m.—Breakfast (Introduction of New Members) 10 a.m.-noon—Plenary Session, "Marketing is a Philosophy—Not a Department," by Phil Wexler.

Noon-l:30 p.m.—Lunch/Visit Exhibits Noon-l:30 p.m.—Spouses' Luncheon 1:30-3 p.m.—Workshops •1-A "Implementation of Drug Testing Programs" •1-B "Preparing Food in Limited Spaces: Methods and Techniques" 1:30-4 p.m.

•1-C "How to Influence People Positively" 3-4 p.m.—Visit Exhibits 4-5 p.m.—Business Meeting 5:30-11 p.m.—Downtown Boat Event Monday, January 9 7:30-9 a.m.—Past President's Breakfast 8 a.m.-4 p.m.—Registration 9 a.m.-5 p.m.—Exhibitor Trade Show 9-10:30 a.m.—Plenary Session, "U.S Coast Guard Marine Safety Office: What's New," Rear Adm. Joel Sipes, Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection.

9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.—Spouse Tour to La Jolla (extra charge) 10:45 a.m.-noon—Workshops •2-A "Marketing in a Changing Economy" •2-B "What's New in the Ferryboat Indust r y" •2-C "The Joys and Headaches of Hosting World Events in Your Community 10:45 a.m.-noon—Associate Members Meeting Noon-l:30 p.m.—Lunch on the W.D. Evans 1:30-3 p.m.—Workshops •3-A "Making Safety Pay: Hints from the Insurance Industry" •3-B "How to Finance a New Boat Operation" •3-C "Buffet versus Served Meals: Pros and Cons" 3-4 p.m.—Regional Meetings 4-5 p.m.—Visit Exhibit Area Tuesday, January 10 7:30-9 a.m.—Regional Chairs Breakfast 8 a.m.-4 p.m.—Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.—Exhibit Area Open 9-10:30 a.m.—Plenary Session, "NAPVO Public Policy Report" •Subchapter-T Revisions •Manning Changes •Presentation of Safety Training Program 10:30-10:45 a.m.—Break 10:45 a.m.-noon—Workshops •4-A "Effective Public Relations Techniques for the Small Boat Operator" •4-B "What's Up in Washington: Legislation and Regulatory Changes You Should Know About" •4-C "Gift Shops, Photo Sales Programs and Other Extra Revenue Opportunities" Noon-l:30 p.m.—Lunch Break 1:30-3 p.m.—New Ideas Roundtable •5-A "Food and Beverage Service Ideas" •5-B "Sales and Marketing Ideas" •5-C "Personnel Management Ideas" 3-3:15 p.m.—Break 3:15-5 p.m.—Business Meeting 7-10 p.m.—Closing Banquet and Awards Presentation Wednesday, January 11 9 a.m.-noon—Board Meeting and Breakfast 9 a.m.-3 p.m.—Optional Tour Events (extra charge) 7-10 p.m.—Optional Beach Cookout (extra charge) Schedule subject to change