03/22/2016

2015 Recap - It Was a Very Good Year

By Hal Slater, YBAA Immediate Past President

While driving from Connecticut to Annapolis, Maryland early last month to attend the YBAA Annual Board Meeting, I had some time to reflect on the past year and what the YBAA Board, committees and staff had accomplished. I thought to myself …“wow” … we have accomplished a lot and have made many positive impacts within our association and our industry!

• 2015 was the second consecutive year we finished with a respectable financial gain.
• The Certification Advisory Council and the CPYB Development Committee are on schedule with developing a new CPYB exam and publication of the new updated Guide.
• The Education Committee successfully solidified a relationship with The Yacht Broker Institute (YBI) which provides a basic training program for individuals seeking to enter our profession. YBI will encourage their graduates to pursue the CPYB accreditation as soon as they qualify.
• YBAA received the American Boating Congress Ambassador Award at the Capitol Hill event in May of 2015. YBAA Executive Director, Vin Petrella and I attended this three-day annual event.
• The Industry Relations Committee, under the leadership of Vin Petrella, has continued to bolster relations with the RBLC, Discover Boating and NMMA, actively participating in various national efforts to support industry initiatives.
• Beneteau has incorporated the CPYB accreditation as a required component of their Platinum dealer program.
• YBAA CPYB Sponsorships were $11,000.00 ahead of budget and increased by $8,500.00 over the previous year.
• YBAA secured a CPYB Diamond Sponsorship from AIM Marine Group, along with numerous ads supporting the CPYB program in their publications.
• YBAA and the California Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA) established an “Association Leaders Forum” comprised of the Presidents and Executive Directors of the seven associations in North America for the purpose of exchanging ideas that would be beneficial to all and strengthen communications, recognition, and support of Yacht Sales Professionals.

It has truly been an honor to serve on the YBAA Board and as President this past year. The YBAA staff and I would like to express our sincere appreciation to those members serving on the board and committees who have helped us with our accomplishments throughout 2015.  I encourage all of our industry professionals to consider serving on a committee or as a board member. It is a truly rewarding experience!

With sincere appreciation,

 Hal Slater, CPYB

Immediate Past President

Yacht Brokers Association of America