6 MARCH 2019 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: CONVENTION REVIEW R ecord attendance. Fabulous venue. Spot-on educational sessions. Knowledgeable speakers. Numerous networking opportunities. Large trade show. By all indications, the PVAAnnual Convention at MariTrends 2019, held January 17-20, ranks as one of the best ever educational and trade show events for the passenger vessel industry. With New Orleans as the backdrop for the large gathering of vessel owners and operators who convened at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans (just steps from the Super Dome where the city’s beloved New Orleans Saints played an epic Play-Off football game against the LosAngeles Rams during the PVAconven- tion), the event was met with high praise by attendees. A welcome reception on the evening of January 16 kicked off the convention and was packed with attendees meeting and reconnecting with one another in an amiable and convivial setting. New Orleans Draws Record Numbers to PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2019 By Karen Rainbolt, FOGHORN Managing Editor Top left: Attendees stop by the registration desk before attending sessions and the MariTrends trade show. Top right, bottom left and right: Attendees mingle at the Welcome Reception on January 16 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Convention photos by Steve Terry