Sept12 (2).pdf - Association of Marina Industries

Marina Trade Association NewsMarina Recreation AssociationThe Marina Recreation Association (MRA) was foundedin 1971 by three California marina operators who wereconcerned about increasing governmental regulations affectingtheir businesses and who felt the industry neededunity. Over forty years later, the organization has grownto over 234 members and has expanded its mission andgoals to better fit with the marina of today.Holding the group together is Operations Administrator,Mariann Timms, who has been in her position since 2000and was in membership services from 1994 until 2000. TheOperations Administrator is assisted by an executive committee,board of directors, regional vice presidents, trade directors,general counsel and contracted legislative advocates.Working with such a large group of volunteers is not alwayseasy. Timms says, “It is always challenging to be theone ‘hired’ person who is answering to a volunteer Boardof Directors with 21 positions, with differing opinions onwhat is important and varying needs for getting projectsdone. Though I manage to juggle the challenges put forth,and appreciate the help of the Executive Committee.She says additional challenges include, “Other issues aregrowing the Association during these economic times.Lastly, gathering information from the industry to put togetherthe various communications I deal with is always adifficult task (I put together the newsletter, website information,conference handouts and information, etc.).”Timms came to her position through word of mouth. “I wasworking for Dave Smith (Water Resorts Inc.) when he wasvoted into the position of Vice President of the Association.The Vice President is in charge of the Educational Conferenceso he asked me to coordinate some of the work. Thenthe following year I worked with another Board Director(who was then Vice President). After that, the Board feltthey needed to transition the project of the annual conferencefrom a volunteer position/Board Member to a paidposition, and hired me to continue producing the annualconferences and recruit new members,” she comments.MRA’s members own and operate boating facilities onlakes, rivers and harbors in western states including AZ,CA, ID, NV, UT, WA, HI, Mexico, Canada and Australia.All benefit from a myriad of member benefits whichis topped by the MRA’s sponsorship of the largest marinaeducation conference and trade show on the coast.This annual event not only provides valuable networkingto participants but includes seminars on current topicstaught by experienced industry leaders that discuss is-9sues affecting boaters, marina owners and operators.In addition to the annual conference, MRA members areprovided timely information on regulatory issues, templatesfor environmental reports, licenses and agreements,professional guidance, newsletters, internet and social mediaupdates and information, and finally a network of marinaprofessionals to share knowledge and experience.Unique to the association is their agreement with the CADepartment of Boating and Waterways to receive an annualgrant to be used for repairs and maintenance fundingof marina pumpouts at MRA member marinas. Thefunds come from the federal Clean Vessel Act grant andare distributed by MRA at a cap of $1610 per facility withthe marina contributing a 25% match.With so much on the agenda of MRA there are many issuesthat face the membership which MRA addresses. Timmscomments, “The economy is the number one issue. Followedby the regulatory climate; CA leads the country withthe most highly regulated climate. Not only are we subjectto a myriad of regulations and agencies, many times thoseagencies cannot agree as to the interpretation of the regulation,even within the SAME regulatory agency. Dealingwith our regulatory climate has become a nearly full timeposition, overwhelming our marina members.”She continues, “In addition, the recreational side of the boatingindustry has changed dramatically, for a variety of reasons.Changes in the school year schedule (shorter summervacation times), the high cost of entry into boating ($50-75,000 ski boats), and a change in demographics from BabyBoomers who were a generation of ‘do it yourselfers’ to theMillennials, who expect immediate gratification and areless apt to be hands-on (unless it’s a keyboard or a mouse!).Today, aging Baby Boomers are also more apt to choose, orcross over to, the RV lifestyle and are shifting away fromboating. MRA’s members in the boat rental business havefelt the effects of many of these factors as well.”Despite the full slate of issues and challenges, Timms doesfind joy in her job which is what has kept her onboard forall these years. “Communicating with the members (isthe best part). I have made many friends over the past 17plus years. Our industry is full of good people who workhard and enjoy boating and all it has to offer. They are acaring bunch, who have worked diligently to keep thisindustry ‘afloat’,” says Timms.For more information visit www.marina.org.