WorkBoat Show to Attract Record Crowd to New Orleans

The 2014 International WorkBoat Show, North America’s largest commercial marine trade show, promises  to be the best ever  with keynote addresses by Capt. Richard Phillips, the CEO of Vigor Industrial and the MARAD Administrator, a comprehensive Annual Conference, a record number of visitors and more than 1,100 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services.

Registration is now open for the WorkBoat Show, which will be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Halls B, C, D, E and F from Wednesday, December 3, through Friday, December 5. Registration for the WorkBoat Show and Annual Conference is available at www.workboatshow.com.

“The WorkBoat Show and Annual Conference continue to be the premier marketplace for businesses working on the coastal, inland and offshore waters,” said Bob Callahan, Show Director, Diversified Communications. “It’s the place where new ideas meet reliable solutions for the marine industry.” Callahan noted that last year’s WorkBoat Show was a record setter, attracting 1,100 exhibitors and more than 14,500 visitors from 45 states and 27 countries. “Tradeshow Week” ranks the WorkBoat Show as one of the Top 200 largest U.S. trade shows.

“We are very excited to have the participation of Capt. Richard Phillips, Vigor Industrial’s Frank Foti and Paul Jaenichen, MARAD Administrator, at this year’s WorkBoat Show,” said Bob Callahan, Show Director. “This is a tremendous opportunity for participants to hear from three outstanding leaders in the maritime industry.”

Capt. Richard Phillips will speak at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3. For five days in April 2009, the world was glued to their TV screens as Capt. Richard Phillips became the center of an extraordinary international drama when he was captured by Somali pirates who hijacked his ship, the first hijacking of a U.S. ship in more than 200 years. The keynote is sponsored by RSCBiosolutions.

Frank Foti, President and CEO, Vigor Industrial, will speak at 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 4.  With eight locations in Washington, Oregon and Alaska, Vigor Industrial is the leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and other industrial services in the Pacific Northwest. Foti is the President and CEO of the privately held company and is also serving his second term as Chairman of the Shipbuilders Council of America, which represents 41 companies that own and operate over 120 shipyard facilities.

Paul Jaenichen, the Maritime Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation, will speak at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4. The Maritime Administration works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety. The Maritime Administration is also charged with maintaining the health of the merchant marine.

The WorkBoat Annual Conference provides crucial information on the most current regulations, technology and issues facing the commercial marine industry today. The Annual Conference will feature tiered programming that focuses on business management, legal and regulatory issues, marine safety and security, and technical issues/advancements.

If you are interested in exhibiting at the show, contact Chris Dimmerling, Sales Director, at (207) 842-5666 or [email protected].

“By successfully bringing together thousands of people who want to buy, with thousands of businesses selling the latest products and technologies, and by offering strong conference programs, the WorkBoat Show has become the premier event for the commercial marine industry,” said Callahan.

There is no cost to attend the keynote addresses and to view the exhibit hall if attendees register before December 3. Registration after that date is $50 per person.