b'LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORMariTrends 2024: A Huge Success AT THE HELMJOHN GROUNDWATER // EXECUTIVE DIRECTORI f you attended the PVA Annual Convention at Mar- Inaddition,thePVAEmergingLeadersCommittee, iTrends2024inPortland,Ore.,lastmonth,pleasewhich is made of young PVA members who are assuming accept our most heartfelt thanks. We hope that yourkey leadership roles within their companiesboth vessel convention experience was second-to-none and that youand associate membersgathered socially during the con-benefited from the wealth of information, contacts, andventiontonetworkandbuildlong-lastingrelationships. activities available throughout the event. The combina- More than thirty of these young leaders participated in tionofthemodernandinvitingPortlandConventionthis event. The committee plans to hold educational ses-Centerwhichwasanchoredbythesions during future PVA conventions spectacular Hyatt Regency Portlandtargeting other young members who provided an outstanding location forare looking to advance in the passen-thePVAMariTrends2024conven- ger vessel industry.tion gathering. 60 SESSION AND EVENTS, Overallconventionattendancewas90 SPEAKERSstrongwithvesselattendeespartici- MariTrends2024conventionat-pating in increasing numbers becausetendeesweretreatedtomorethan of ever-improving business and tour- 60 education sessions and events, all ismmarketsnationwide.Associatetailoredspecificallyforthoseinthe member and exhibitor involvement in PVA continues topassenger vessel industry. The education sessions featured expand. As a result, we expect the MariTrends exhibit floorpresentations from 90 speakers from both industry and to continue to grow for future conventions as vendors andgovernment. Each of these individuals offered their profes-suppliers increasingly focus their marketing on a healthysional insights that convention attendees took away to use passenger vessel industry. This positive trend was reflecteddirectly in their businesses.in 13 new associate members joining PVA just prior to at-tending MariTrends 2024 in Portland. INNOVATIVE EDUCATION SESSIONSAND PRESENTATIONSTHE EVOLVING FACE OF As the demographics for PVA attendees change so too has PVA CONVENTION ATTENDEES the lineup of education session topics. While the conven-If you have not attended a PVA convention recently, yoution program still includes tried-and-true sessions on core will be pleased to note the new and changing faces thatmarine operations topics, it has evolved to include a whole are showing up everywhere at these events. We are seeinghost of sessions encompassing new and thought-provoking next generation owners and operators attending along withsubjects covering:key operations staff. Many of these individuals have never attended a PVA convention before. They literally represent Artificial Intelligencethe future for PVA and in attending the convention they Market and Tourism Trendsareimmediatelyimmersedinthewealthofknowledge, Coast Guard Regulatory Topicsinformation, and education that MariTrends 2024 has to Crew Training Advancementsoffer.Somehaveevencommentedthattheywereover-Environmental Impacts and Practiceswhelmed by all that was offered there.Marine Insurance Issues and AdviceContinued on page 517 MARCH 2024'