Our Presenters for 2008 (More to come)

Irwin Jacobs - Genmar    Keynote Speaker
Genmar is a unique collection of America's top brands in recreational boating. Founder Irwin L. Jacobs, who has a passion for family boating and fishing, acquired his first boat company in 1978. The company grew steadily through acquisitions to become a dominant force in the marine industry. Genmar, one of the world's largest builders of recreational boats, has grown by acquiring leading brands with lines ranging from family runabouts to luxury yachts, and virtually everything in between. With 13 famous brands, Genmar is committed to making a wide range of boats that are more fun to own and more affordable to buy, so more individuals and families can enjoy the boating lifestyle.

Steven Ramel - GE Commerical Fianance
There have been some game changing events in 2008 that will impact business today and remain for the future. At any point in the economic cycle, businesses must adapt. Since 2001, there have been events that impact a once geographically driven industry and business environment. No longer can industries avoid global events because they now impact the local business climate. This is an understanding of the current environment through the most recent events occurring in the Banking and Capital Markets and how that has transcended into the Marine Industry and to us, the Consumer.

Steven F. Ramel leads the Market Research and Forecasting for GE's Commercial Distribution Finance business a leading provider of inventory finance and other customized financing products for manufacturers and their dealers and distributors. Steve and his team's approach integrate the Capital Markets fluctuations with Economic and Industry trends that provide analysis for over 15 industries.

Over Steve's 20-year career, he held progressively more responsible positions in Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Operations and Capital Markets. Steve has led game-changing business transformations due to market conditions impacting the consumer and financial services industries. In the last 9 years, Steve has worked for GE Capital in New York, Connecticut and Chicago, within Capital Markets, Trading, Sales & Business Development and most recently in Commercial Distribution Finance leading the Market Research and Forecasting initiatives and GE Capital's National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) program.

Jim Edwards – Five Star Solutions
Jim Edwards will highlight how your service department can help improve your businesses. He will provide you with steps to improve your service department and will share some of the best practices he has collected through his years of experience.

Get a snapshot of Dealer Certification and what it will do for your company, with exact information and numbers dealers are seeing based on being Certified.

Jim works for Five Star Solutions, based out of the United States. He has spent 28 years working in retail, 10 years working with dealers teaching them process and 3 years working specifically with boat dealers. He has visited over 330 Marine Dealers while doing the certifications for the US Marine Industry.

Brett Evans – Equity Foreign Exchange Services
Brett has over 20 years experience in currency risk management and is currently the Vice President of Business Development for Equity Foreign Exchange Services. He specializes in the small to medium sized business, and has been in banking and non-banking institutions in Canada. Preferring the non-banking, highly specialized approach he has helped many companies in all aspects of currency exposure to protect profit margins from ever increasing currency volatility on both sides of the border. Brett has helped many firms write and implement a currency exchange policy to ensure with staff turnover and other potential changes the company has a safe approach to currency management.

An avid sailor and power boater he realized very early that almost every aspect of the marine industry has a currency exposure of some degree. Thus working with manufacturers, dealers, brokers and distributors he understands the specific challenges facing marine operators today. He will take the confusion out of this area and illustrate sound strategies to deal with currency risk management in an ever increasingly volatile marketplace. Operators need to be proactive. Brett never under any circumstances is promoting anything speculative and only deals with firms that have an underlying need pertaining to currency exposure.

With the current market volatility, any company large or small cannot afford to not pay attention to this aspect of the business nor allow another entity to look after it. An owner operator needs to be educated and aware of how currency exchange affects their business. To put things in perspective, the market movement so far in $USD/$CAD for October represents some $22,000 per $100,000 and some $220,000 per million. For marine operators in Canada this movement is against the Canadian dollar and no real break in the near future. Brett will discuss several strategies specific to this exposure along with customized options strategies and proactive methods that manage the company’s currency exposure.

Cracker Barrel Sessions
100 years ago, news and knowledge were often shared in around cracker barrels once found in old-time general stores. Our Conference's Cracker Barrel Sessions will replicate this experience - but do so entirely over breakfast.

Boating Ontario's Cracker Barrel Sessions are round table discussions featuring several topics involving groups of 8 to 10 people each. Conference attendees have the opportunity to learn about several subjects in a lively, interactive setting. Attendees have the opportunity to join in one session per morning during this casual and informal event.

Shirt Sleeve Sessions
Its time to roll up those shirt sleeves and get down to business! The ever-popular Shirt Sleeve Sessions allows for the discussion of topics that affect the industry and you. The session will include interactive device which enabling you to answer questions, key in your ideas and then receive instant feedback. Microphones will also be set up around room for spontaneous, open discussion on any subject.

Brainstorming Sessions
Group brainstorming brings individuals together to discuss issues and problem solve for potential solutions. When individual members reach their limit on an idea, another member's creativity and experience can take the idea to the next stage. The breakout groups will be Dealers and Brokers, Marinas, Municipal Marinas, and Trade Members.

Sunday Carnival
Start the Conference off with a Carnival party - a fantastic voyage with spectacular entertainment featuring an musicians, drummers and beautiful dancers!

Tony Pimentel – Watch Captain
Maximizing Profitability & Control with Management Software

Matthew DiSero - Comedian
Matthew DiSero will be entertaining us on Monday night at the Western Fair Race Track. Matthew is a comedian AND magician. While he is an accomplished sleight of hand and illusion performer, magic is simply the vehicle in which the comedy is delivered. You will laugh your way through the show and, at the same time, be amazed at the illusion and magic before you.