10 MARCH 2019 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: CONVENTION REVIEW field of nominees. He was recognized for saving a small child who fell into the water while boarding a ferry. [See article on page 20 for details on these award winners] Economist Stephen Barnes, Ph.D., the Director of Economics and Policy Research Group at Louisiana State University, addressed conven- tion attendees on January 18 on the economy, tariffs, and what they mean to U.S. business. In his 60-minute pre- sentation, he said that he expected the net effects of the current tariffs will likely result in consumers facing higher prices and total consumption to decrease in primary markets directly impacted by tariffs as well as secondary markets. Dr. Barnes also said that there are in- dications show that China’s economy is slowing. In fact, he said, China is expe- riencing its slowest growth in 30 years. Barnes believes there’s evidence that other world markets are also slowing. As to why he thinks markets are changing, Barnes said one needs only to look at the state of world politics. “There’s a lot more political uncer- tainty than we’ve had in a long time,” Barnes said. The next day, attendees were treated to a much different account. John Waggoner, HMS Global Maritime, shared his compelling story of how he got into the passenger vessel industry after graduating from Cal Poly in an inspiring narrative, “A Boy, a Boat, and a Dream: Lessons Learned from Building a $200 Million Business.” Moderated by industry executive Bob Shaw, this General Session presentation took attendees on an engaging journey fraught with potential pitfalls and how Waggoner eventually prevailed to become the owner of American Queen. This beautifully renovated overnight vessel now carries passengers in grandeur on cruises harkening back to a bygone era on the Lower Mississippi River. Scores of Educational Sessions Every year, the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends offers F I R S T I N C A T A M A R A N S www.armstrongmarine.com | sales@armstrongmarine.com | (360) 457-5752 Top: Members of the Great Lakes Region team take a moment after they participated in the annual Passenger Vessel Foundation fundraiser. Photo: Photogenic; Left: PVA’s Peter Lauridsen (right) discusses regulatory concerns with PVA members Ed Vaughn, Dejong and Lebet,Jacksonville, FL (left) and and Hank Morgan, Karl Senner, Inc., (middle). CONTINUED ON PAGE 12