Registration is Open for 34th International WorkBoat Show, North America's Largest Maritime Trade Show, Which Will be Held in New Orleans from October 9-11

NEW ORLEANS, LA, June 19, 2013 (Press-News.org) The maritime industry will be setting a course for New Orleans this October. Registration is now open for the 34th International WorkBoat Show, North America's largest commercial marine trade show and conference, which will be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center from Wednesday, October 9, through Friday, October 11.

To register or for further information, visit www.WorkBoatShow.com.

A record number of exhibitors and customers are expected for the 2013 Show, which will feature more than 1,100 exhibitors, the Fifth Annual WorkBoat Executive Summit, WorkBoat Professional Series and the Eighth Annual Shipyard Day that includes the 10 Significant Boats of 2013 Awards Ceremony and the WorkBoat Environmental Awards.

"The 2012 show was a record setter, attracting 1,100 exhibitors and more than 14,500 visitors from 45 states and 27 countries," said Show Director Bob Callahan of Diversified Business Communications, producers of the Show, which Tradeshow Week ranks as one of the Top 200 largest U.S. trade shows. "The WorkBoat Show continues to be the premier marketplace for businesses working on the coastal, inland and offshore waters."

Callahan noted that the 2013 WorkBoat Show is moving from its traditional dates in early December to October.

"With the renovation of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center's Hall A into the 60,000 square foot Great Hall and a pre-existing booking in Halls E-J, the WorkBoat Show will be moving from their normal dates in December," says Stephen Perry, President & CEO of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau. "As one of the city's most important customers and most respected long-term business partners, we are delighted that we had alternate dates to offer that allowed the show to continue to maximize their growth and maintain their commitment to New Orleans, now and into the future."

"The WorkBoat Show is really where the industry comes together and it's the key show for this market," commented Martin Meissner, ZF Marine. "It's a world class show."

Fifth Annual WorkBoat Executive Summit, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 8
Whether a company is a small business or publicly traded corporation, capital is the engine that drives it. To help find solutions to where that capital comes from in today's challenging economy, WorkBoat magazine presents the Fifth Annual WorkBoat Executive Summit at the Morial Convention Center.

"This is the only industry forum offering a private and exclusive setting for critical information sharing, idea generation and rare business to business collaboration," said David Krapf, editor in chief of WorkBoat magazine and WorkBoat.com. "The Summit will provide maritime executives the right resources to keep their companies competitive and profitable."

Krapf said the Summit is designed exclusively for senior managers from every sector of the commercial marine industry including fleet owners, builders and finance executives.

Matt Taibbi, Rolling Stone Contributing Editor and author of Griftopia, will be the keynote speaker. Taibbi has covered everything from politics to sports to business--all with the wit, humor, and gonzo spirit of Hunter S. Thompson. As an author, he has written several books, including The Great Derangement: A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics and Religion and, most recently, the critically hailed Griftopia.

The Summit also features two industry panels

Originators Panel Discussion focuses on topics ranging from product (loan, bareboat charter, interim, etc.) and market segments (shallow, offshore, inland, pax) to financial reporting requirements, initial field analysis and structure. Attendees will hear how the acknowledged experts in marine finance work in front of and behind the scenes to make "it "happen.

Panelists include Ronnie Evans, Regional Finance Manager, Key Bank Equipment Finance; Charlie Lee, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance; Mark Volk, Senior Vice President, Chase Equipment Finance; and, Richard Paine, National Finance Manager, TCF Equipment Finance

The Credit Analyst Panel Discussion will include the major lenders currently doing business in the U.S. commercial marine market. Panelists will discuss the credit analysis process, portfolio balance, credit quality (ratings, ratio, etc) mitigants, asset type, amortization vs. asset age, and lien searches (hidden liens) among many topics.

Panelists include Bryon Kives, Senior Underwriter, JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA; Joseph Markey Sr. Vice President, KeyBanc Capital Markets; Jeff Johnson, Vice President, Credit, TCF Equipment Finance Inc.; Mark Nichols, Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance' and, David Krapf, Workboat.

Registration is available at www.WorkBoatSummit.com and the Summit costs $750 for Early Bird (Before September 3, 2013) and $900 for Regular Admission (September 3, 2013 or later).

Eighth Annual Shipyard Day, Wednesday, October 9
The 8th Annual Shipyard Day is where the International WorkBoat Show and WorkBoat magazine celebrate the boatbuilding industry with a series of special events recognizing shipyards and the new vessels built for workboat owners and operators.

This year's Shipyard Day features a keynote address, the WorkBoat Environmental Awards and WorkBoat Magazine's 10 Significant Boats of 2013.

WorkBoat Environmental Awards
The WorkBoat Environmental Awards recognize businesses and government agencies, operating in the maritime industry, which exemplify innovative and effective environmental process initiatives in daily operations.

"The Awards are an outstanding way to showcase leading maritime businesses and government agencies and the incredible variety of innovative environmental practices in the industry," said Bruce Buls, technical editor, WorkBoat magazine, which presents the awards.

A committee comprised of industry and media representatives will review nominations and may award the following honors:
- Best New Idea
- Best Collaboration (involves community groups, other agencies or customers)
- Best Shipyard Initiative
- Best New On-Board Idea
- Best Company-Wide Plan Small Business (less than 50 employees)
- Best Company-Wide Plan Large Business (more than 50 employees)

The application deadline is Monday, August 1. Details and the application are available at www.workboat.com. Applications should be sent to: Diversified Communications, Attn: WorkBoat Environmental Award, c/o Lisa Keller, 121 Free Street, PO Box 7437, Portland, ME 04112-7437. Applications may also be submitted by email to Lisa Keller at lkeller@divcom.com.

WorkBoat Magazine's 10 Significant Boats of 2013
WorkBoat's editorial staff reviews scores of boats that appeared in the magazine during the previous 12 months. Of these, the editors choose 10 that deserve special recognition - with some chosen for design or technological advances, while others are selected for speed, style, and uniqueness.

WorkBoat Professional Series, October 9-11
The WorkBoat Professional series will feature tiered programming that focuses on Business Management, Legal and Regulatory Issues, Marine Safety and Security, and Technical Issues/Advancements.

"Through keynote addresses and panel discussions, this year's Show features a very strong and comprehensive professional series that will help marine businesses keep on top of the latest industry and regulatory issues," said Krapf.

A Professional Series Conference Pass, which includes access to all sessions and entrance to International WorkBoat Show, is $250 if purchased before October 8 and $275 at the Show. Individual session passes can also be purchased for $65 prior to October 8 and for $90 per session at the Show.

Exhibiting at the International WorkBoat Show
If your company is interested in exhibiting, contact Chris Dimmerling, Sales Director, cdimmerling@divcom.com or (207) 842-5666. For exhibitor information, visit
http://www.workboatshow.com/en/exhibit.

Show Registration
Register before October 9 and admission is free to the Exhibit Hall and all Shipyard Day events. Register October 9 or later and the admission is $50.

To register or for further information, visit www.WorkBoatShow.com.

International WorkBoat Show
The International WorkBoat Show is North America's largest maritime trade show and conference. For 33 years, the WorkBoat Show has proven to be the premier marketplace for businesses working on the coastal, inland and offshore waters.

The 34th International WorkBoat Show will be held at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, will be held October 9-11.

To attend the show, pre-register online at www.workboatshow.com or call 800-454-3007. Pre-registration for the exhibit hall is free, onsite price is $50. To exhibit call Chris Dimmerling at 207-842-5666.

The International WorkBoat show is produced by Diversified Business Communications.