10 FOGHORN Fast forward a year later, in the lead up to MariTrends 2022 in Long Beach, Calif., there was great hope and excitement that we would finally be able to get back in front of each other and start rebuilding the industry in the best way we know how—by being shoulder to shoulder with everyone who makes up this wonderful association. With plane tickets and hotels booked for Long Beach, I received an ur- gent message for an emergency board of directors meeting. The Bombard family in Long Beach had contacted our executive director, John Groundwater, and simply said, “You cannot come to Long Beach at this time due to the pandemic.” Government restrictions and local rules sim- ply made having a convention there impossible. So, what do we do? Do we have yet another virtual convention? Do we risk spending another year apart? After hitting a high-water mark (pun intended) in attendees in Tampa in 2020, what would our industry numbers look like if we had to wait almost three full years for MariTrends 2023? It was my position that we had to do everything we could to make an in person meeting a reality. Given my fami- ly’s stature in our community, we started looking for a solution and thanks to my father, Alan Bernstein, and my sister, Terri Bernstein, MariTrends 2022 in Covington was born. In just about one month’s time, along with PVA staff, we were able to organize and pull off a very import- ant meeting in our association’s history. In a time that most were finding every reason not to hold a meeting, we found reasons to. While numbers for a last-minute convention were obviously less than normal, associate members were able to look across the table and speak to vessel members. Vessel staff were able to sit in a room together and discuss the challenges that plagued their operations. Committee meetings, learning sessions, and keynote addresses were all able to happen again. Local restaurants were even able to host out of town guests and for many who chose to come to Covington, it was the first time the world seemed to make sense again. As planning started for 2026, the possibility of coming back to Covington arose. On the heels of the success in 2022, as well as rising convention numbers each year since, it did not take the association very long to pull the trigger on a return to the Greater Cincinnati area. Feb. 22-26, 2026, the members of the industry descended once again on the small city just south of Cincinnati and by all accounts, it was a resounding success. From across the country, from outside the nation’s border, attendees came together to share ideas, network, learn, and celebrate together. Pre-convention activities began on Saturday with PVA’s all-important committee meetings where vessel and associ- ate members collaborate and tackle the most pressing issues within the passenger vessel industry. These committees are imperative for the association and its members to help drive initiatives to benefit every member of the industry. Have you ever thought about getting more involved in the inner workings of the association? Volunteering your time on a committee is one of the most worthwhile exercises you can do in your time in our industry. Any member of the PVA staff can help send you in the right direction if you are interested. Saturday evening, the PVA Leadership Dinner, hosted by long-time sponsor All American Marine, was held in the Champions Club at Great American Ball Park. This beautiful club, overlooking the Ohio River, served as a FOGHORN FOCUS MariTrends 2022 in Covington was born. … for many who chose to come to Covington, it was the first time the world seemed to make sense again. Volunteering your time on a committee is one of the most worthwhile exercises you can do in your time in our industry.
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