b'LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORPVA Expands in a Variety of Ways idea to rest on our accomplishments. That is why PVA members and staff will continue to A New Look develop and introduce new programs, benefits Have you visited the Passenger Vesseland activities to serve member needs, make Association website lately? If you have, youmembership more attractive and strengthen may have noticed quite a change to it in themember retention. last few weeks. That is because we have com- U.S. Maritime Academies and PVApletely redesigned PVAs website to makeIt is not news that operators in the passenger it easier for PVA members to use, navigateJohn Groundwater vessel industry, as well as the maritime and access the full range of member tools,industry at-large, have been challenged programs, meetings information and memberin finding qualified crew and staff in recent years. resources. The new website features a contemporaryRecognizing that our association should take an active design that reflects the associations branding along with arole in helping to solve this problem, PVA leaders have host of new features and functions including the availabil- directed the staff to work with the U.S. maritime academies ity to access the website on any computer or mobile device.to promote their participation in our association. To date, Our new look prom- the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, the Maine Maritime inently features PVAAcademy and the SUNY Maritime College have joined meetings and events,PVA, and we are actively working with each to identify a Join PVA functionways to further our mutual goals.that makes it very easyQuite a few PVA member companies met with the for individuals to joinacademies during the PVA convention in New Orleans our association andearlier this year and, as a result, arranged numerous in-member resources suchternships for cadets. Plans are currently underway to as online training andfeature academy faculty and representatives during the other tools to help yourupcoming PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2020. business grow andThey will also participate as exhibitors on the MariTrends thrive. 2020 exhibit floor where you can meet with them face-to-I hope that youface. Our maritime academy members are eager to interact like the look and functionality of this new PVA website.with you and I encourage you to contact them to explore There is a wealth of information and programs there foropportunities to involve their cadets in your operations.all PVA members to use. Check it out at www.passenger vessel.com. PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2020PVA Membership Continues to Grow Planning is underway for the PVA Annual Convention at Members are the lifeblood of any association. And, PVA isMariTrends 2020 to be held February 3-6 in Tampa, FL. A no different. Members offer the ideas, energy, vision andhost of educational sessions on marketing, social media, support that help our association evolve. That is why Itechnology trends, new vessel designs, and more are am pleased to report that membership in PVA continuesalready in place to address the needs of passenger vessel to grow at an impressive rate. Underpinning this growthoperators. There will also be numerous vessel-oriented ac-is an ongoing strong domestic economy, ever-increasingtivities, including the ever-popular Meet and Greet the ferry ridership, and a healthy travel and tourism market.Fleet event, where numerous vessels will be gathered for PVA is currently outpacing membership numbersconvention attendees to tour. In addition, PVA members in 2018 both in terms of attracting new vessel operatingcan ride water taxis to and from the Tampa Convention members and associate members (please look at theCenter, and throughout Tampa, compliments of Troy impressive list of new PVA members on page 35) PVAManthey and Pirate Water Taxi. Tampa is a spectacular members and staff have worked diligently to developdestination and I hope to see you there.marketing programs and activities which keeps our as- In the meantime, please let me know if we can ever be sociation consistently in front of prospective memberof assistance to you.companies while communicating the many benefitsSincerely,offered through a membership in PVA. Another positive note is the fact that our rate of member retention is outperforming that of previous years. Retention simply means that members decide to continue their membership. It is an indicator that they believe thatJohn R. GroundwaterPVA is serving their needs. However, it is never a goodExecutive Director nOCTOBER 2019FOGHORN 5'