March 2008


12TH Annual International Boating & Water Safety Summit

From Ed Huntsman

Arizona Game & Fish Department

The next two summits will be in Florida — don’t miss this one so close to home.

I strongly encourage you to attend this event, which I describe as "The boating safety event of the season!" With its being this close this year, we should all take advantage of the opportunity to participate in a conference that is totally and completely dedicated to nothing but boating and water safety.

Also, this event is attended by hundreds of the leading professionals involved in boating safety worldwide.

Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Allen will be attending the opening ceremony, as will Chairman Jim Muldoon of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council, and Chairman Rosenker of the National Transportation Safety Board.

If you haven't already done so, time is running out to start planning to attend the 2008 Summit, in San Diego April 16-19, and I understand the hotel is filling fast. Following is a checklist you can use to plan for this important event.

San Diego Checklist:

  1. Mark your calendar for April 16-19 – Be sure to allow travel days.The new program for 2008 includes On/In Water Skills Development Classes!

 Note: The start date is Wednesday, April 16 with an evening Opening Reception with the exhibitors. The ending is on Saturday, April 19 with the evening Awards Banquet.

  1.  Pre- and post-summit training: Information on dates and course topics will be available soon on NWSC and NSBC Web sites.
  2. Reserve your room at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel & Marina. Do not delay…Register for your room now by calling (619)-291-2900 or 1-877-734-2726. Be sure to say you are with the International Boating & Water Safety Summit and request an East Tower room, per diem $139. The final deadline for booking a room at per diem rate is March 17.
  3. Transportation in San Diego – A free Sheraton Shuttle runs every 15 minutes from airport baggage claim area to the hotel. Bus transportation will be supplied for program activity off site. Trolleys are available downtown.
  4.  Sneak a peak at San Diego – Get information at www.seeyouinsandiego.com about the region, restaurants, maps, area coupons and discounts, etc.
  5. Miscellaneous items not to forget: business cards, cell phone, camera, PFD, driver’s license/passport, brochures, sunscreen

Also — if you know someone involved in boating or water safety, please forward this article to him or her for further distribution! Additional information can be found at http://www.watersafetycongress.org/Summits/IBWSS.htm or http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/