YACHTWORLD AND FLORIDA YACHT BROKERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE AGENDA AND SPEAKERS FOR YACHT BROKERAGE UNIVERSITY
University to be held January 24 at Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Ft. Lauderdale
Norfolk, VA – (January 20, 2012) –YachtWorld.com, a Boats Group (Boats Group) business with the Internet’s largest worldwide database of brokerage boats, and the Florida Yacht Brokers Association (FYBA) today announced the agenda, speakers and panelists for the Yacht Brokerage University to be held at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Ft. Lauderdale on January 24, 2012. The Yacht Brokerage Universities provide the opportunity to earn CPYB re-certification credits. Up to 8 credits can be earned by participating in the entire event and submitting proof of attendance to Colleen McDonough, CPYB Program Manager.
The January 24 event will begin at 9 a.m. with FYBA opening remarks by Gary Smith. Morning presentations will include:
State of the Industry. Ian Atkins, vice president and general manager, Boats Group, and Tim Claxton, director of group product development, Boats Group, will provide a global review of the state of the marine industry and, more specifically, YachtWorld. They will share their insights into the future for consumers and businesses – from unit sales and valuations to a focused approach on consumer buying power. The presentation will also provide insight into the leading technology currently in development or due to launch in 2012.
BoatWizard. Joe Lingerfelt, director of product support, Boats Group, will demonstrate tools to enhance the user experience, including the new photo uploader and printing options.
Selling to the Generations. Shane Pierce, senior director of leadership development for Dominion Enterprises, will reveal the different tactics needed to sell across multiple generations.
Afternoon presentations and panel discussions will include:
Marketing in the Digital Age. Kim Rocco, consumer marketing manager, Boats Group, will give insights into consumers’ mindsets: how they spend their time online, what their habits are, and how to engage them. Examples will be given on how to take the basic elements of digital marketing and advertising already employed and make the most of them to engage target audiences.
Best Practices panel. Brokers and industry experts will share best practices and marketing initiatives that have helped generate more sales in 2011.
Panelists are:
Mike Reardon (Moderator) – Hill Robinson International
Tim Derrico – HMY Yachts
Bobby Stotler – Stotler Yacht & Ship
Paul Burgess – Sunseeker
Darren Plymate – Galati Yacht Sales
Frank DeVarona – Yachting Experts
Bryan Bogue – Allied Marine Group
Industry Experts panel. Brokers and industry leaders will share their views on the current state of the brokerage market and the future of the industry.
Panelists are:
Gary Smith (Moderator) – Sarasota Yacht & Ship
Tim Claxton – YachtWorld.com
Andrew Doole – Show Management
Steele Reeder – All Yacht Registries
Jeff Erdmann – Bollman Yachts
Vicky Bedford – Bureau of Compliance
Danielle Butler – Shareholder at Fowler White Burnett PA
IPhone App Testing Session. The YachtWorld.com technical team will demonstrate IPhone apps.
About Boats Group
Boats Group (Boats Group) is the Internet partner of choice for the recreational marine industry and operates the three market leading web portals – www.boats.com, www.yachtworld.com and www.boattrader.com. Boats Group is a division of Dominion Enterprises, a leading marketing services and publishing company, that provides businesses with a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, website design and hosting and data management services. Boats Group has offices in North America (Norfolk, Virginia; Seattle, Washington; and Vancouver, British Columbia) as well as in Europe (United Kingdom and Italy). The company employs 150 people, has customers in 106 countries and advertises boats for sale in 193 countries. In 2010, over 38 million unique visitors spent time researching products on Boats Group web and mobile sites, apps and social media outlets. Boats Group’s global reach includes 22 localized web portals which are translated into 13 languages.
About Florida Yacht Brokers Association
The Florida Yacht Brokers Association was created in 1987 to unite those engaged in the yacht brokerage business for the purpose of promoting professionalism and cooperation among its members, and to promote and maintain a high standard of conduct in the transaction of the yacht brokerage business. Each member is required to abide by a code of ethics to protect the public against fraud, misrepresentation, or unethical practices in the yacht brokerage profession. Each member is to endeavor to eliminate any practices which could be damaging to the public or the dignity and integrity of the yacht brokerage profession.