2009 NMEA Convention & Expo

The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) will hold its 2009 NMEA Convention & Expo Sept. 30 - Oct .2, 2009, at the Sanibel Harbour Resort in Fort Myers, Fla.

“The NMEA Convention & Expo is very valuable for everyone involved in the industry, but it is really organized to serve NMEA dealers and their personnel,” said David Hayden, NMEA’s President and Executive Director. “This year’s Convention has never been more important, as we need to work together to address the current economic challenge to our industry,” he said.

Featured speakers this year include Joe Hersey, Administrative Program Manager for the U.S. Coast Guard who will talk about the VHF band, and Lee Luft of the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center, who will talk about the status of upgrades to the latest version of the NMEA 0183 Standard.

Programs and meetings on Wednesday, September 30, include: NMEA 2000 Working Group, Quickbooks Training, ENavigationSeminar, Satellite Communications Seminar, and the Airmar Transducers Seminar. The day finishes with the opening of the Expo at 4:00 p.m. and a Booster Reception at 6:00 p.m.

On Thursday, October 1, the program will include the annual business meeting breakfast, and an NMEA 2000 Training Seminar.  The Expo, featuring new marine electronics products for 2010, will be open the entire day.

On Friday, October 2, the day features:  AIS Installation & Rules Training, Thermal Imaging Seminar, the new NMEA 0183, Airmar Transducers Training, Network Seminar, Antenna Placement Seminar, and the Industry Awards Banquet.

A new NMEA Technology Award will be introduced at the 2009 NMEA Convention & Expo. The NMEA Technology Award winner will be selected by an independent panel of experts organized by Boating Writers International, Inc.  NMEA will also continue to provide the traditional NMEA Product Awards based on voting of dealer members of the Association, according to Hayden.

To see complete details, and to register, go to: www.NMEA.org