PNºB Episode - 20

Written By Live Digital Box

Summary

This podcast episode features Alyssa Freeman, Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, discussing the significant impact of the marine industry on the local economy and community. The conversation covers the industry's economic contribution ($4.7 billion and 22,000 jobs), challenges like water access and unregulated anchoring, sustainability efforts, technological advancements, and community engagement, particularly with youth career development. The discussion highlights two major events: the annual Boat Parade and the Palm Beach International Boat Show, emphasizing their community benefits and economic impact. Alyssa also shares insights into her personal career path and offers advice for those interested in the marine industry.

Key topics

  • Economic Impact of the Marine Industry: The marine industry contributes a staggering $4.7 billion to Palm Beach County's economy and supports approximately 22,000 jobs. Palm Beach County boasts nearly 39,000 registered boats, positioning it as a leading boating hub.

  • Marine Industries Association (MIA): The MIA is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association representing marine businesses and boaters in Palm Beach County since the mid-1980s. It has over 400 members and advocates for the industry.

  • Goals of the MIA:

    • Increase membership and industry voice.

    • Grow and ensure the success of major events.

    • Maintain and improve public access to waterways.

  • Industry Challenges:

    • Access to Waterways: Shortage of marina slips and boat ramps due to limited land and increasing population, leading to overcrowding.

    • Managed Mooring Fields: Unregulated anchoring causes environmental problems (water quality, sinking boats, fluid leaks) and financial burden on taxpayers. Managed mooring fields, with regulated spaces and services (trash removal, pump-out, registration checks), are proposed as a solution to combat these issues.

  • Sustainability Efforts:

    • Boat Shows: Transitioning away from single-use plastics and promoting sustainable practices at events.

    • Boat Disposal/Recycling: Addressing the difficulty and cost of disposing of old boats, with discussions around creating recycling solutions for fiberglass and other materials.

  • Technological Advancements:

    • Electric Boating: Growth in electric propulsion systems for boats, mirroring trends in electric vehicles.

    • Stabilization Technology: Innovations in boat stabilization, such as built-in systems for smaller vessels (20-30 ft range), previously common only on larger yachts.

    • Navigation & GPS: Ongoing advancements in satellite and GPS technologies.

  • Community Engagement & Youth Development:

    • Youth Outreach: Primary focus on engaging youth through partnerships with Career Source Palm Beach County, Junior Achievement, and the school district.

    • Career Opportunities: Educating students about diverse marine career paths beyond just boat captains, including skilled trades (carpenters, electricians, plumbers), addressing an aging workforce. High income potential with certifications from trade schools like Palm Beach State College, often without significant student debt.

  • Impact of the Pandemic: The pandemic significantly boosted the marine industry, with economic impact doubling from 2.1billionto2.1 billion to 2.1billionto4.7 billion. Increased demand for boats led to supply chain issues and maintenance backlogs, which have since plateaued.

  • Advocacy Efforts:

    • Lobbying: Collaboration with lobbyists in Tallahassee for statewide legislative monitoring.

    • Local Monitoring: Active monitoring of local county and municipal agendas by the MIA and its Government Affairs committee.

    • Relationship Building: Proactive engagement with officials through established relationships to address potential issues.

  • Community Involvement: Businesses are encouraged to join the MIA, and residents are encouraged to follow the MIA's website and social media for information and updates.

  • Economic Drivers: The $4.7 billion economic impact is primarily driven by:

    • Retail and Service (60-70%): Marine dealerships, service, and repair.

    • Manufacturing (10%): Though less prominent in PBC than other regions.

    • Storage & Dockage: Marinas and boat storage.

  • Appeal of Boating in Palm Beach County: Attributed to beautiful waterways, proximity to the Bahamas, excellent diving opportunities, and rich fishing grounds near the Gulf Stream.

  • Key Events:

    • Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade: A free, annual community event featuring decorated boats, fireworks, and an on-the-water toy drive that collected over 15,000 toys last year. Broadcast live on TV. Route from North Palm Beach to Jupiter Lighthouse.

    • Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS):

      • Economic Impact: Over $1 billion in economic impact for Palm Beach County in just four days, making it the second-largest boat show globally, after Monaco.

      • Organization: Partnered with Informa, a professional event management company.

      • Experience: Offers more than just boat sales, including super yachts, technology displays, cocktail barges with live music, clothing, jewelry, and family-friendly activities like fishing demonstrations and an "Aquazone" for water toy demos.

      • Convenience: Located in Downtown West Palm Beach, with easy access to restaurants, hotels, Brightline, and the airport, all within walking distance.

      • New for 2024: Anticipates more super yachts than ever before.

    • PBIBS Gives Back Grant Program: A new initiative where the MIA and Informa have collectively contributed $500,000 to local non-profits for marine-related or waterfront projects.

  • Personal Career Advice: Alyssa emphasizes networking and being open to starting at the bottom and working up, leveraging every opportunity to learn.

Live Digital Box
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PBºN Episode - 19