2008 ABC dates: April 27-29, 2008

2008 AMERICAN BOATING CONGRESS

TENTATIVE PROGRAM AGENDA

Note: Agenda items with an * are closed/invitational events.

All Conference events will occur at the L’Enfant Hotel in Washington, D.C., except where noted in italics.

date 27 Saturday, April 26
  9:00 AM – 5:00 PM AMI Committee Meetings*
 

date 28 Sunday, April 27

  1:00 PM – 7:00 PM Registration
  9:00 AM – 5:00 PM AMI Board of Directors Meeting*
  TBD ABBRA Board Meeting*
  3:00 PM – 5:00 PM TMA Board of Directors Meeting*
  3:00 PM – 5:00 PM NATM Board Meeting*
  TBD NMMA BOAT PAC Board Meeting*
  6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Welcome Reception  
 

date 8 Monday, April 28
  7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Registration    
  7:00 AM – 9:00 AM BMD Board of Directors Meeting*
  9:00 AM – 10:00 AM U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff
  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM AMD Board of Directors Meeting*

EMD Board of Directors Meeting*
     (Open to all EMD members)
  9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Concierge service for spouses/partners on DC attractions
  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ABC Breakout Sessions:
  • Marina and Water Access Issues and Challenges
  • Advances in Marine and Ocean Weather Forecasting/NOAA
  • Future Congressional Tax Policy
  11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Water Access Alliance Meeting*
  12:00 PM – 1:15 PM   Business of Boating Luncheon and Presentation, Q&A:
State of the Economy/Consumer Spending/Economic Future
  1:30 PM – 2:00 PM TBD
  2:00 PM –2:40 PM Presentation, Q&A: Energy Policy, Oil Prices, and Ethanol
  2:45 PM – 3:00 PM Afternoon Break
  3:00 PM – 4:00 PM National Boat Permitting Issue Panel
  4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Boating and Fishing Access Issues Panel
  4:45 PM – 5:00 PM The Benefits of Advocacy for Your Business and Your Employees
Thom Dammrich
  6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Cocktail Reception
  7:00 PM – 9:00 PM NMMA BOAT PAC Dinner and Awards Presentation
            Renowned Political Commentator Charlie Cook on the 2008 Campaign
 

date 29 Tuesday, April 29
  7:00 AM – 12:00 PM Registration    
  7:00 AM – 9:00 AM NMMA Board of Directors Meeting*
  7:00 AM – 8:15 AM Continental Breakfast
  7:30 AM – 10:30 AM Trailer Manufacturer Breakfast and Regulatory Meetings*
  8:15 AM – 9:15 AM Exporting U.S. Boating Abroad:
Trends and Business Opportunities
  9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Shuttle Buses to the Hill for Roundtable and Luncheon
  10:00 AM – 11:50 AM Congressional Boating Advocates Roundtable
The U.S. Capitol –Russell Senate Caucus Room
  11:50 AM – 12:00 PM Break between Roundtable and Luncheon
(participants will remain in the vicinity of the Caucus Room)
  12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Luncheon-Congressional Speaker
The U.S. Capitol – Russell Senate Caucus Room
  1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Individual Capitol Hill Congressional Visits*
The U.S. Capitol –various locations
  5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Congressional Boating Caucus Reception
The U.S. Capitol-Rayburn Gold Room

*  denotes a closed meeting