JOIN US FOR THE 2024 BOATING BC CONFERENCE PRESENTED BY MERCURY MARINE

Participants will learn from current research, industry trends and best practices in business from our premier panel of speakers. Tangible takeaways will inform and help grow recreational marine businesses in all sectors across our province.

It is the premier event for networking with current and new colleagues, and consistently creates an environment rich in camaraderie through shared workshop activities and reception. More than ever, this year is a chance to reconnect and look ahead. Our delegates tell us this is an exceptional experience—so it’s no surprise that each November, our industry feels just a little bit stronger and more united than the year before.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

Actionable Insights

Every presentation offers tangible takeaways and actionable insights that you can apply to your work and life the moment you walk out the door.

World-Class Speakers

Every speaker, an expert in their field, is pushing the boundaries, pioneering new insights and/or brings fresh knowledge to share. This carefully curated roster has been selected to ensure you leave with the tools, insights and knowledge you need to be effective in your role and to grow your business.

Get Connected

This is your opportunity to have some fun and connect with industry colleagues; to learn, share stories and build community. We hear it year after year; delegates find the networking opportunities at this conference invaluable. Delegate have plenty of time to connect throughout the day and at the ever-popular Navis Marine Insurance Industry Reception.

Rave Reviews

Take it from past attendees; if you work in the recreational boating industry, this is a must-attend event!

I've attended the Boating B.C. Conference six times now.  I've always found the content to be next level and incredibly informative as well as the many networking opportunities.  – Sam Laforge

“This conference was well planned and executed. The speakers covered such a broad range that affected all different sectors of our industry. I had such a great time and can’t wait for next year!” – Conference Attendee

BCYBA CPYB yacht brokers receive 10 re-certification points for attending both days of the Boating BC Conference.

Please be aware that the agenda is subject to change.*

Shawn Casemore

Shawn is a sales expert and professional speaker who inspires his audiences to new levels of sales performance, sharing insights and actionable takeaways that can be applied immediately. He is the author of five books including The Unstoppable Sales Machine (2022), and The Unstoppable Sales Team (2023) as well as his forthcoming book The Sales Multiplier Formula (2024).

Having spoken professionally for 15 years, Shawn consistently studies top sales performers, sharing new insights on selling in today’s economy. His keynotes and programs enable his audiences to create an environment of Unstoppable Sales.

Chris Gibson

Chris Gibson is a featured speaker at this year’s Boating BC Conference. Chris enjoyed a long career in broadcasting before moving onto The Insurance Corporation of B.C.  During his 30 years at the Insurance Corporation he has held senior manager positions in Community Relations, Road Safety, Public Affairs, Corporate Marketing and Media Relations. His last position before retirement was Senior Manager of Broker Relations and Sales over seeing a three billion dollar book of business.  

Chris has always been involved on the marketing side of business; he is also the creator of the ICBC Road Sense campaign.  Chris has won the coveted Public Service award from the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters as well as voted Friend of the Year by the B.C. Special Olympics. During the last decade Chris has spoken to thousands of people across Canada on customer service, leadership and sales.

Dr. Richard Dewey

Richard grew up in Victoria BC, where he was an active sailor on the Royal Victoria Yacht Club junior race team, and has cruised and sailed his whole life. He holds degrees in Physics (UVic) and Oceanography (UBC). He has studied the oceans from California, to Japan, and the Arctic, with a particular focus on coastal dynamics in the northeast Pacific. He has recently retired from UVic, where from 2001 through 2023 he was the co-founder and Science Director at Ocean Networks Canada. In late 2023 he purchased a 36’ tri-cabin trawler and is now enjoying cruising throughout BC’s coastal waters.

While climate change is frequently associated with gradual variations in the weather, the ocean plays a vital role in moderating the climate, and is under-going significant changes in its own right. In this presentation we will review how local climate changes are affecting the physical, chemical, and biological character of BC’s coastal marine environment, and how boaters and marine operators can look out for emerging trends, how they can adapt, respond, and take action to help maintain some of the most beautiful marine ecosystems on the planet.

Vaughn Palmer

Vaughn Palmer’s hard-hitting columns have seen him cover the feats and follies of B.C.’s premiers for almost 40 years. An award-winning journalist, Palmer is the Vancouver Sun’s provincial political columnist, based in Victoria. Palmer is a regular commentator on radio station CKNW in Vancouver.

Palmer is the recipient of the Bruce Hutchison Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jack Webster foundation, a co-winner of the Jack Webster award for reporting, and a recipient of the Hyman Solomon award for excellence in public policy journalism from the Canadian Public Policy Forum. Since 1984, Palmer has examined an extensive range of issues, personalities and scandals that have come to define B.C.’s political scene.

Simon Kent

Simon has been a lawyer since 1997 and for over 20 of those years has dedicated his practice to employment law. He represents both employees and employers and through that work he has developed a deep understanding of disputes in the workplace from all perspectives. He is the owner and managing partner of Kent Employment Law, an employment law firm with offices in Vancouver, Surrey, and Kelowna.

Merritt Alves (Marina Night)

Merritt Alves has been the membership coordinator for the Association of Marina Industries (AMI) for over 15 years and training coordinator for its training arm— the AMI Training Institute since 2017. The Training Institute offers world class professional development opportunities through virtual and in-personal marina management training courses, conferences, and webinars. It also coordinates the Certified Marina Manager (CMM) & Certified Marina Operator (CMO) program—the only internationally recognized certification program for marina managers. Merritt’s experience in all facets of training and certification programs—from marketing to curriculum oversight, instructor/speaker recruitment, course delivery, and evaluations gives her an in-depth understanding of the myriad functions and pieces needed to produce a top-notch, well-run training and certification program.

More speakers coming soon!

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

This year's event theme is "Building Together - Anchored in Excellence." We're looking forward to an unforgettable experience at Cascades Casino Delta, located within the hotel. Whether you're intrigued by the thrill of the roulette wheel, the strategy of blackjack, or the excitement of hitting the jackpot on the slots, Cascades Casino Delta offers something for every gaming enthusiast.