NEW ORLEANS – After a successful inaugural event in 2015, the WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo returns to New Orleans from Tuesday, April 12, through Thursday, April 14, 2016.
An anticipated 2,000 top commercial marine industry leaders from around the world will gather at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Halls B1-B2 for the only commercial marine event dedicated to helping fleet managers, port captains and operators keep vessels in top working condition and connect them to experts in the field. The Expo will also host a free Maritime Job Fair and Job Advice Center, safety training and more than 200 exhibiting companies.
Chris Vaccari, Vice President of the newly formed Gulf Island Shipyards, will close out the first day of the conference with a discussion on “Building Stronger Shipyards with Collaboration,” Tuesday, April 12, at 3:30 p.m. Vaccari’s presentation will shed light on how shipyards can position themselves for success in this challenging economy and industry downturn.
Jeff Skiles, co-pilot of US Airways flight 1549 – the “Miracle on the Hudson” – will present a keynote address, “Crisis Management – When the Unexpected Happens, You’re Ready” on Wednesday, April 13, at 1:00 p.m. Skiles will discuss what it takes to prepare a crew to be calm and confident to successfully navigate an emergency situation.
The Maritime Job Fair, presented in cooperation with the Louisiana Workforce Commission, will take place Wednesday, April 13, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Job Fair and Job Advice Center will feature more than 30 companies representing the commercial marine industry.
WorkBoat is part of the Diversified Business Communications portfolio of commercial marine events, publications and digital products. The WorkBoat brand has been connecting qualified buyers with leading suppliers for more than 70 years. In print through WorkBoat magazine, online at WorkBoat.com, face-to-face at the International WorkBoat Show and through education with the Professional Series, WorkBoat delivers high quality information to all segments of the marine industry in North America.
The WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo is the sister event to the annual International WorkBoat Show held in New Orleans each December for nearly 40 years. The inaugural Conference and Expo was held in New Orleans in 2015 and is slated to return in 2017.
This year’s group is projected to have an economic impact of more than $2 million.
Major events include:
Tuesday, April 12: 3:30-4:15 p.m.; Keynote address presented by Chris Vaccari; Building Better Shipyards with Collaboration; MCCNO, Hall B
Wednesday, April 13: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Job Fair and Job Advice Center; MCCNO, Hall B
Wednesday, April 13: 1 p.m.; Keynote address presented by Jeff Skiles; Crisis Management – When the Unexpected Happens, You’re Ready; MCCNO, Hall B
