CMTA would like to welcome several new members to the Association! 

As you know - we are stronger together and thank you all for your participation.

• DealerTrack  - Contact:  Sabrina Hannigan
• Hammonasset Marine - Contact:  Mary Nodden
• West Marine Pro - Contact:  Chris Smathers
• LBI Corporation - Contact:  Stephanie Kneier
• Aquatraction of New England - Contact:  Jason Powell
• Cove Landing Marina - Contact:  Jonathan Leonard
• David Lerner & Associations - Contact:  Ashley Gaines
• City Dock Restaurant & Oyster Bar - Contact Frank Maratta
• B & A Jewelry  - Contact Trish Higgins
• Vanessa Piche - Contact Vanessa Piche
  

Welcome Aboard

The Department of Energy and Environment Protection, Boating Division recently confirmed a delay in the Abandoned Boat Process due to recent litigation.

Tim Delgado had provided a letter to many marinas stating that the program was on hold until they could re-assess procedures following the court's decision in favor of a boat owner who showed he had not intented to abandoned the boat.

We have heard from concerned facilities that this could significantly impact the effort to obtain the right to secure and remove abandoned boats in marinas and boatyards.

Peter Francis, Chief of the Boating Division reassured us yesterday that the delay should be short-lived as new reporting procedures are finalized for the protection of all parties.  They will be providing clear direction in the "near future" on their website and through CMTA so we may share the information with all members.

In the meantime, if you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact CMTA. 

The Long Island Sound Blue Plan, a use inventory and guideline for future uses of the LIS document four years in development is now headed to Connecticut's General Assembly for ratification. 

The initiative launched under Governor Malloy has sought public input over the development period.  Bill Gardella of Norwalk Cove Marina and Bruce Beebe of Beebe Marine Construction were the CMTA legislatively appointed representatives who have worked on this process for the last several years.

Most recently, the CMTA Task Force on Blue Plan made up of members of the CMTA Board of Directors, CMTA Environment Committee, staff and members at large put in hours of review and dozens meetings and calls to ensure that the plan aligned with other regulations to avoid negative impact on member facilities.

The changes that were effected by CMTA input include a clearer definition of the policy line, which we have been advised is the map line, development of a User's Guide to assist in understanding the Blue Plan, specific definitions and more.

Information on the Blue Plan may be found here.

We will be providing updates as the legislative process unfolds.

Attorney Robert Noonan lead the training session held on Tuesday January 28th which provided over 100 members with their Sexual Harassment Training Prevention Certification, a now mandated activity for all employees working for companies with three or more employees.  The next CMTA Sponsored training will be February 26th in Bridgeport. 

The two hour session began with the high-profile incidents of the #Metoo movement and how it has impacted each of our businesses.   A "self-test" of seven questions was provided to all attendees followed by a spirited discussion of what is and is not defined as harassment.  The results were eye opening....resulting in a worthwhile experience for all attendees.

Following the employee training, employers remained for a critical introduction of what CT's Family Medical Leave Act will mean for employers beginning January 1, 2021 as well as other impactful legislative changes.

The second CMTA sponsored in-person opportunity will be held on February 26th at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn, Main Street Bridgeport.  The morning will be for certification and the afternoon session will be for employers/human resource directors and will cover FMLA and other labor topics.  Registration may be found here.

There are a number of additional ways for employees to receive certification including the state's site for certification and certain payroll providers.  Robert Noonan will also hold on-line webinars on the following dates:

• Feb. 11 (Tuesday) 9:30-11:30 a.m.
• Feb. 25 (Tuesday) 1:30-3:30 p.m.
• Mar. 24 (Tuesday) 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Additional information on the on-line training may be found here.

NOTE:  CMTA is encouraging all employers to take advantage of these opportunities now, as the requirement for certification for existing employees is October 1, 2020.  A take-a-way from the January 28th event was that the in-person session did provide a community of comments and its impact was important as we all strive to operate better businesses. 

All new hires must be trained within six months of hire. 

And That's A Wrap! 

About 14,000 people entered the gates of the Earth Expo at Mohegan Sun searching for their dream boat, new cruising destination or to see the latest models, products and services!  And they weren't disappointed.

The sold out show included 125 Exhibitors with over 950 employees staffing their booths!  Over 400 different water-craft (yup, we counted) filled the Expo Hall, Ballroom and Hallways.  And by reports, tens of millions of dollars worth of business transpired in those halls boosting the overall business of boating in Connecticut!

Following a relatively smooth move-in, the week kicked off with a Preview Party for all CMTA members which included special recognition of former Senator Scott Frantz who was instrumental in securing the 2.99% tax rate. 

The highlight of the night came when Chairman Tasha Cusson presented not one but two Jeanne Czel Person of the Year Awards to former CMTA Chairman, Dawn Schieferdecker and Saybrook Point Resort and Marina Managing Parnter, Stephen Tagliatela.

 

The Show kicked off with a large crowd awaiting to enter at noon on Thursday January 16th ... and continued until the closing horn on Sunday January 19th.

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

• Evinrude, Presenting Sponsor
• Helly Hansen, Official Clothier
• Renewal By Anderson, Windows to the Future CMTA Foundation
• KinderCare, Kids Cove
• Dealer Trak, Exhibitor Lounge

A Video Look at HBS2020 coming soon!

The application nominating Stephen Tagliatela read “Stephen's dedication to the industry, the community, education and the environment is truly inspirational”.

For the marine industry Stephen has long managed an outstanding gateway to CT from one of our most beautiful rivers Saybrook Point Inn & Marina. Leading the charge on such critical issues as dredging and an early leader and supporter of the Clean Marina Program.  Stephen followed that with ongoing commitments to ensure the most sustainable practices, continually looking to the future and investing in what environmental initiatives he truly believes-in for his business. 

But that’s just the beginning.

Stephen is passionate about not only promoting the Marine Industry, but tourism in our state, forming the state’s first-ever Connecticut Tourism Coalition, an alliance of advocates from all sectors of the Connecticut tourism industry to rally for a more reliable source of annual funding, pro-business policy, and stronger public support.

Stephen has managed the Louis F. and Mary A. Tagliatela Foundation which has helped to preserve and protect one of Connecticut’s most sacred ecosystems:  The Preserve a swath of 1,000 acres of coastal forest along the towns of Old Saybrook, Essex and Westbrook, which will help to conserve this important coastal forest forever as a natural asset for the region and our state.

Further the Foundation under his leadership has donated more than $10 million to support local non-profit organizations including hospitals, schools and churches. The organization helped establish the Tagliatela School of Engineering at the University of New Haven and Tagliatela School of Business at Albertus Magnus College.

Pictured Ritt Czel with 2019 Jeanne Czel Awardee, Stephen Tagliatela

Our first 2019 Award Winner, Dawn Schieferdecker has long served the industry and its customers  – perhaps a lifetime in fact.  Growing up in the family business at Essex Island Marina and learning from the bottom up – literally.... bottom clean, bottom wax and bottom paint and moving through the ranks learning every aspect of marina operations before, during and after college.

But her work didn't stop on the Island.  Dawn's dedicated significant volunteer time included to her town and community from the Essex Board of Trade to the Conservative Women’s Committee and beyond.  However it has been her dedication to CMTA that has lifted up so many others.

Joining the Board in 2002 she tackled education and workforce before it was on the industry’s radar, spearheading scholarship efforts for school students looking to careers in the marine industry.  She invested hours upon hours in work with the DEEP and others in the creation of the Clean Marina Program.  She continued to serve on several committees until assuming the Chairman of the Board position in 2015 with an agenda focused on education and taxation.

Known for her passion about safety and training she put more people safely on the water as she broadened her industry knowledge branching into sales and customer service….which sadly for us…has lead her to the warm shores of Florida and a career changing roll with a major manufacturer. 

But her Connecticut roots run deep as does our appreciation.  It is the pleasure of CMTA to award the 2019 Jeanne Czel Person of the Year to Dawn Schieferdecker formerly of Essex Island Marine, American Boating Service and MarineMax. 

A big thank you with deep appreciation to Dawn Schieferdecker.

 

   EXHIBITOR MOVE IN SCHEDULE

Thank you to all our Boat Exhibitors for attending the Move-In Meeting on Wednesday, December 18th.  Following the meeting the Logistics Team met to layout the following schedule.

EXHIBIT HALL EXHIBITORS - Times Per Schedule Above

• Be prepared with carpeting, stands, set up materials in the first truck to enter the building.
• CMTA will have the appropriate carpet-tape for sale at cost in the Show Office.
• Please do not leave vehicles in the Ex-Hall.  Once unloaded please return to parking lot.

BOAT and DOCK EXHIBITORS in BALLROOM or HALLWAY - MONDAY 8:00 - 1:00 PM

• A coned lane will be set up on the right-hand side of the Ex-Hall.  Please pull up to move product into assigned space.  Please remove vehicles immediately after unloading so the next exhibitor can unload.
• There will be a queue-line outside to drive in.
  
• All vehicles must be removed by 1:00 pm, so please schedule your unload accordingly.
  

BALLROOM & HALLWAY EXHIBITORS - MONDAY 10:00 - 1:00 PM

• Open to all Exhibitors who wish to drive in to unload inside the building. 
  
• There will be a queue-line outside to drive-in.
• Once unloaded, please return vehicle to parking lot
• All vehicles must be removed by 1:00 pm so please schedule your unload accordingly.
• If you don't want to move in on Monday all Ballroom and Hallway Exhibitors will have to carry product in from outside.  (Unable to drive in to unload).  Hours are 8:00 - 4:00 Tuesday, 8:00 - 4:00 Wednesday.
  

Reminders:

• Staging Lot - "Trading Cove". 
  
• Product may stage during the following hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 - 5:00 pm only.
• You will be provided a sticker for the trailer to include name, phone number.
• The Move-Out Schedule will be developed after Move-In and distributed to exhibitors by Friday, January 17th at the show.
  

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!

SPECIAL CMTA PRICING FOR DEALER WEEK!

As an official Co-Host for the Marine Retailers Association’s Conference and Expo, Dealer Week, we have partnered with the MRAA to bring you special pricing.  Take $50.00 per registration!

 Dealer Week will take place on Dec. 8-11 in Tampa, Fla. We would love you to join us!

Dealer Week features

• Experienced industry trainers hosting every session
• Keynote from Vince Poscente, best-selling author and former Olympic competitor
• Topics that address your biggest pain points including seasonality, time management, F&I sales, digital marketing, tech shortages, and more
• 10 TED-style talks from industry leaders and inspiring and entertaining presenters
• An optional guided field trip to the oldest restaurant in Florida and the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning to learn how to create a great customer experience
• The largest exhibit hall packed with dealer solutions in MRAA conference history
• Live broadcast from the show floor by Soundings Trade Only
• The MRAA Awards Luncheon
• An all-industry celebration in Downtown Tampa
• The largest education-focused dealer event in the industry!

For registration, schedule, speakers, who’s attending and more, visit DealerWeek.com.

At the October Meeting of the Association's Board of Directors, a new schedule of events was presented to the Board for discussion and approval.  The Board voted unanimously to approve the new calendar, moving two key activities and adding additional meetings and events.

Date Changes

• The new schedule will move the Annual Meeting, Election and Industry Day to a November date beginning in November 2020. 
  
• The current Board and Officer terms expiring June 30, 2020 will be extended (for this period only) by six months expiring on December 31, 2020.

• The Nominating Committee will meet in August/September to draft the next Board and Officer slate to be provided to the membership within the time frame required under the CMTA By-Laws
  
• Elections will take place in November
• New Board and Officers will take effect on January 1, 2021

Additional Events Added

• Dec 5, 2019  - Jingle & Mingle -  Penny Lane Pub Old Saybrook
• Jan 28, 2020 - Employment Law & Sexual Harrasement Training (Eastern Location)
• Feb 25th - Employment Law & Sexual Harrasment Training (Western Location)
• Feb 27th - Eastern Regional Membership Meeting & Social
• March 12th - Western Regional Membership Meeting & Social
• April (TBD) - North Central Regional Membership Meeting & Social
• July (TBD) - South Central Regional Membership Party
• Nov (TBD) - Industry Day & Annual Meeting

For a Full Schedule of Meetings, Events, Times, Dates and Locations, please keep checking back to our Schedule of Events Calendar on the CMTA Website.