b'LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORPVA Membership Growth eration with PVA Member Marine Learning is Key to Solid Member Service Systems, is intended to help operators establish and enhance their crew training Members of the Passenger Vessel Associationactivities. This program offers various crew (PVA) are reporting that they continue totraining modules on topics such as firefight-benefit from a healthy economy and as aing, lifesaving equipment, line handling result, have reported strong 2019 seasons inand much more. The online program allows most all passenger vessel industry marketoperators to test and to also track topics or segments. This certainly bodes well for theJohn Groundwater areas where crew may need additional infor-industry in general.mation or clarification, thereby contributing On the heels of this strong economy, PVAto better understanding and performance.experienced strong membership growth in 2019. As ofIf you havent taken advantage of the broad array December 1, our association welcomed nearly 50 newof PVA resources that are available to you, I heartily member companies to its membership ranks this year.encourage you to do so. Please let me know if you need This compares to the 36 new member companies reportedadvice on these exclusive PVA member tools.over the same period in 2018. I am also pleased to report that our member retention rate, which is the measurementPVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2020of how many companies remain as members from year- A spectacular convention is in the works for you. to-year, is strong and I currently outpacing the retentionScheduled February 3-6 in sunny Tampa, FL, the PVA rate for 2018.Annual Convention at MariTrends 2020 will bring While this growth is partly attributed to a strongtogether nearly 700 individuals from the passenger vessel economy, it can also be traced to PVAs strong memberindustry, Coast Guard and other government entities to service ethic and to a broad array of products and toolsconsider important issues and topics facing both industry for members to use in their operations and to continualand government. When you attend MariTrends 2020, you marketing efforts targeting prospective members. Incan expect dozens of presentations, seminars and round-addition, great effort is made to invite prospective vesseltables on marketing, social media, new technologies, members to attend PVAs fall Region Meetings so that theyvessel designs and innovations in fuel and propulsion and can to get a feel for current industry issues and for whatmuch more. When you attend this convention you will PVA can offer them as members. Often, when attending aalso have access to the MariTrends 2020 exhibit floor with PVA Region Meeting, these individuals interact with PVAmore than 100 loyal PVA Associate members.staff to discuss problems or challenges. In many cases,MariTrends 2020 Special Session:PVA staff members offer solutions and remedies right onThe ADA and Websitesthe spot. This certainly helps demonstrate the value ofPVA and its members are aware that there is growing membership. public interest, and emerging litigation, aimed at the If you know of operators in your area who you believeAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and websites. would benefit from membership in PVA, please let meAs a result, PVA will hold a Special Session on the ADA know. As we all know, there is strength in numbers.and the emerging impact on websites during MariTrends PVA Crew Training Resources 2020. This two-hour session is a must-attend for all PVA PVAs ongoing membership growth and retention ismember operators. extremely important as it also directly helps to underwritePVA Ferry Conference at MariTrends 2020the development of new training products and other toolsIn addition, the annual PVA Ferry Conference has and services for PVA member use.become an important ferry industry gathering. It involves Since its inception, PVA has placed great importancethe major players in the U.S. ferry industry, both public on safety and training. As a result, a variety of highlyand private, and will offer a hard-hitting program of ideas effective crew training programs have been developedand information to help improve ferry operations. for members over the years. Deckhand training manuals, preventative maintenance checklists, risk guides and evenTampa: An Exceptional Experiencea guidance on preventing passenger and crew slips, tripsIf you have not visited Tampa recently you are in for and falls are all available for PVA members to use in theira real treat. Tampa has literally been transformed since operations.PVAs last convention there. Today, Tampa presents a A perfect example of a product designed especiallyhip, urban Florida Gulf Coast experience. Tampa features for PVA member use is the Online Learning Managementdiverse dining options at a range of waterfront bistros and System. This exciting online program, developed in coop- LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONTINUED ON PAGE 42DECEMBER 2019FOGHORN 5'