LEWISPORTE -
The 2009 North Atlantic Marina and Recreational Boating Conference committee were honoured at the 59th Annual Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) Convention and Trade Show in Gander on Nov. 7.
On June 18 - 21, 2009, the Town of Lewisporte hosted the North Atlantic Marina and Recreational Boating Conference, consisting of a conference, boat show, and a gala dinner.
The committee's recent recognition from the Torngat Municipal Achievement Awards program demonstrates the exemplary efforts of the committee members.
The awards were designed to recognize the accomplishment and contribution that municipal leaders and committees make to their community.
The Economic Development award is the most recent addition to the awards and goes to the leaders who help shape a viable economic future for their community and residents. It rewards innovation, partnership and sustainability.
Other categories of the awards include environmental sustainability, innovation in regional cooperation, excellence in governance and municipal awareness.
Overview
The four-day marina and boating event was initiated by the Town of Lewisporte and focused on the potential economic opportunities associated with recreational boating that exist in Newfoundland and Labrador marine communities.
With the show being such a success, the closing gala dinner alone raised $5,000 for each of Daffodil Place and the Children's Wish Foundation; council knew right away what committee should be nominated for the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Torngat Municipal Achievement Award.
The marina conference show was organized over the course of 18 months by a group of 16 community volunteers representing the Town of Lewisporte, the Lewisporte Yacht Club, and other community organizations.
Town manager Perry Pond played a vital role in organizing and balancing the show's $150,000 budget, raised primarily through sponsorships from the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, ACOA, Service Canada, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and delegate and exhibitor registrations.
"The boat show and conference was a significant undertaking kick starting a very important industry in NL and particularly Lewisporte," said Mr. Pond. "There is an increasing interest and demand for recreational boating infrastructure in this province and the conference served as a catalyst to move this exciting industry forward.
"The Town of Lewisporte wants to seize the economic potential of this expanding global opportunity. It is our intention to use the conference and boat show as a catalysts for the further advancement of marina development and recreational boating in Newfoundland and Labrador and to develop Notre Dame Bay and the province into an internationally recognized recreational boating destination, increasing our percentage of the overall economic impact of recreational boating in Canada."
Discover Boating Canada recently released the results of an economic study titled "The Economic Impact of Recreational Boating in Canada: 2006" that revealed recreational boating is making a significant contribution to the Canadian economy.
The study goes on to state that in 2006, the recreational boating industry had a $26.8 billion overall impact on the Canadian economy, with impacts to the Atlantic Region of $1.15 billion, with a $382.8 million impact in Newfoundland.
Mr. Pond said the 2009 conference included delegates from coastal communities and identified priorities and actions that will help build the recreational boating industry within the province.
The committee and other delegates were also able to network during the boating conference and through the Town of Lewisporte's involvement with the Atlantic Marine Trades Association (AMTA), Newfoundland and Labrador will be included in the print edition and online version of Maritime Boating Destinations and Marinas for the first time.
A new spin
With planning for a 2010 event underway, Recreation director for the Town of Lewisporte Derek Bennett is in the process of broadening the potential exhibitors and offering more products and services to visitors. The 2010 plan is to expand the event to become a Marine and Outdoor Recreation Show.
This show will take place at the Lewisporte Stadium from May 14-16, 2010 and will focus on the marine industry and outdoor recreation products to include ATV's, RV's and camping accessories, motorcycles, adventure tourism and more related products/services.
Over the next couple of weeks the Recreation Department will be putting together a budget and exhibitors package for councils approval.
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