October 2012 - Association of Marina Industries

More documents

Recommendations

Info

4 Industry News Continued from Page 3 Exuma Technologies Partners with BoatCloud to Offer Advanced Software Applications to the Marine Industry Integrating DockMaster with StackTrack allows marinas to offer automated drystack launch requests and valet scheduling while streamlining employee efficiency. Exuma Technologies, a leading producer of management software for the Marine and RV industries, announced integration of their DockMaster Marine Management System with BoatCloud, a provider of dynamic web applications for the marine industry. Both companies are leaders in marine software applications and have partnered to offer DockMaster customers the ability to offer automated drystack launch and valet scheduling. “Our biggest priority is always to offer our customers the best in technology options to help their businesses perform at their peak. We are excited to get BoatCloud technology in their marinas and working for them and their customers.” says Cam Collins, CEO of Exuma Technologies. StackTrack, BoatCloud’s primary product, provides a convenient interface for a marina to successfully manage and fulfill all launch requests in a cloud-based SaaS application that functions from any web-enabled PC or mobile device. This allows a marina to accept orders 24/7 with no risk of overbooking. Combining real-time integration with DockMaster’s Touch Screen Point of Sale, employee efficiency is maximized by eliminating the need for double entry between two systems. Marinas are looking for ways to do more with less. Automated valet and concierge services offer the greatest return in this space. “The industry has a thirst for technology and we are proud to offer a solution that will drive these profit centers and ensure greater customer satisfaction,” states Todd Wagner, spokesperson for Anderson Software, the makers of BoatCloud. “We designed it, we use it, and we believe it will dramatically enhance marina operations”. Governor Signs Bill Raising Boat Registration Fees to Fight Invasive Species Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law AB 2443 [Williams] that will levy a Quagga and Zebra mussel infesta- Industry News Continued on Page 5
Industry News Continued from Page 4 tion prevention fee on state vessel registrations to fund a grant program for implementation and administration of dreissenid mussel infestation, inspection and prevention programs. RBOC was actively engaged and lobbying in the State Capitol as AB 2443 was considered, urging that the bill be revised to address several concerns with the specific provisions of the measure. RBOC appreciates the revisions made to the bill, including provisions ensuring a critical role for the Department of Boating and Waterways in administering the expenditure of boater funds to be generated by boater fees. With the enactment of AB 2443, RBOC will continue to be involved as the bill is implemented. It is important to RBOC that boaters be well-represented on the technical advisory group that will be formed, that fees are not levied on boaters whose activities do not present a risk of invasive species being introduced or spread, that boaters do not pay twice for the same programs, that decisions on the amount and use of boater fees are made in an open, transparent process, and that the fees be utilized in an efficient and effective manner. Local Marina Owners Outraged Over New TVA Fees Local marina owners are up in arms over a new federal fee they say will cripple, and possibly kill, their businesses. The federally owned Tennessee Valley Authority has announced plans to implement a new land and water use fee Don’t forget to renew your AMI membership! AMI’s membership year runs from April 1 – March 31. Renewal invoices went out at the end of March. If you did not receive your renewal invoice please Contact Merritt Alves at malves@marinaassoiation.org starting in January. The agency will collect four percent of total gross revenue from all privately run marinas and campgrounds that operate on TVA shorelines, a fee TVA officials say is a matter of fairness for land they already own and lease out. But some local business owners say the new fee structure is outrageous, and possibly illegal. “It’s gonna drive a lot of the private owners out of business, period,” said Russ Cranford, who manages a privately-run marina on Lake Guntersville. “It’s gonna force the rent to go up, and it’s going to get passed on to the customer because we can’t just absorb that kind of increase…They [customers] are going to get out of boating if they can’t afford it, sell their boats and move elsewhere, and that hurts everybody.” A three-state coalition of marina owners who plan to file a federal lawsuit against TVA said the agency is charging a tax that can only be authorized by Congress. But TVA officials told WHNT News 19 that the new fee structure is completely within the law, and has been advertised on its website for more than two years. “The four percent, which may seem like a tax, is just a way of determining what that rent would be,” said TVA spokesman James Adams. “Just like a farmer rents land to grow crops, or someone else rents land to build buildings, these individuals and businesses are renting the public land in order to provide services.” TVA has suffered several millions dollars worth of losses in recent years, but officials said the agency’s deteriorating financial outlook was not connected to the new fee system. Publicly owned marinas and campgrounds are exempt from the new regulations, further irking local business owners. “I question the legality of it,” said Cranford. “To charge private industry and not charge municipalities is just not right. It’s like they don’t want private industry here, like they’re intentionally trying to run us out.” Grasso to Head New Marina Division at Sperry Van Ness Louis Grasso of La Plata has been named product council chair for the new marina division of Sperry Van Ness International Corp., a commercial real estate brokerage franchisor. 5 The partnership will make the Sperry Van Ness organization, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., the only national Industry News Continued on Page 6
Page 1 and 2: 1 October 2012 ADVOCATE In this iss
Page 3: Industry News Industry News Continu
Page 7 and 8: Industry News Continued from Page 6
Page 9: Important Safety Training Now Avail
Page 14 and 15: Clean Marina & Environmental News C
Page 16 and 17: 16 Conference Corner Seminars Sneak
Page 18 and 19: Around The World Blue Flags Awarded
Page 20 and 21: YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOU
Page 22 and 23: Training & Certification By Kayce C
Page 24 and 25: Training & Certification Continued

October 2012 - Association of Marina Industries

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?