Reflections from the 40th Annual Tall Ships America Conference

The always lovely and incredibly fun Abi wrote a wonderful piece on her experience at the conference last month. This was her second time attending on our Professional Development Grant, generously sponsored by Maritime Simulation Institute, and we hope to see her a third time…thank you, Abi!

What happens when you bring together 200 tall ship sailors for a five-day event at the Bayfront Sheraton in Erie, PA? While this sounds like the start to a good joke and possibly an even better party, you might find that the answer to this question is not what you have in mind…

I have had the sincere pleasure of attending the Tall Ships America Conference for the second year in a row.  While both conferences embodied the most professional family reunion, or more accurately, the most familial professional reunion, I have ever attended, this year was particularly special to me because this conference represented the past, present, and future of the Maritime Industry as influenced by professional sail training.

This article continues on the Ocean Classroom Foundation blog>>>

Awards Night Gala: The Sailor Scene Part Three

Our final awards for the night were a celebration of bravery, commitment and dedication to sail training.

The first award, Special Recognition, was given to Michael Rauworth “to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his sevice as chairman and president of Tall Ships America and in gratitude in his unwavering dedication and support for education under sail.” As befitting the Chairman of the Board, he was presented with a belaying pin gavel.

Special Recognition awardee Mike Rauworth

Next, Captain Jan Miles of Pride of Baltimore II received the Lifetime Achievement award for his 35 years as a traditional sailor and as serving as a mentor to countless members of the maritime community.

Lifetime Achievement award winner Capt. Jan Miles (center) with M. Rauworth and Dave Wood

And, finally, in what was arguably the most poignant moment of the night, Mike Rauworth presented the Allen Agency Special Award for Safety at Sea  to AMT3 Michael Lufkin, OS1 Corley Myres and LCDR Peyton Russell from USCG Sector North Carolina and Air Station Elizabeth City, respectively. After an extended standing ovation, the Coast Guardsmen went back to the table they shared with Bounty crew. Handshakes and hugs were exchanged while we all tried to recover from a suprisingly emotional awards ceremony. Good thing we were able to let loose on the dance floor.  

Allen Agency Special Award for Safety at Sea Presented to: Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center – “In appreciation, gratitude and respect for your consummate professional skill and exceptional bravery in the search and rescue of the HMS Bounty crew.”

Safety award recipients AMT3 Lufkin, OS1 Myres and LCDR Russel, respectively

 More photos from the night can be viewed on our Flickr photostream. Read Part One and Part Two of our awards gala.

Awards Night Gala: The Sailor Scene Part Two

After the applause died down from the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE(r) awards, Lori presented the 2012 Sail Training Awards (all the descriptions of these awards can be found on our website)

Volunteer of the Year Awarded to: Roberta Kacenjar

Roberta Kacenjar (center), Volunteer of the Year

Sail Trainer of the Year Awarded to: Captain Deborah Hayes

Captain Deborah Hayes, Sail Trainer of the Year (center) with M. Rauworth and B. Rogers

Sail Training Program of the Year Awarded to: Schooner Pioneer, South Street Seaport Museum

Schooner Pioneer, Sail Training Program of the Year

Sea Education Program of the Year Awarded to: Sound Experience Aboard the Schooner Adventuress

Sea Education Program of the Year, Sound Experience aboard Schooner Adventuress – Captain Joshua Berger, M. Rauworth, Nancy Richardson, and Catherine Collins

Awards Night Gala: The Sailor Scene Part One

On the evening of Wednesday, February 6th, conference attendees left their learning pants in their room and changed into their party pants for our annual Awards Night Gala, sponsored by Allen Insurance and Financial. Always the highlight of the conference, this year was no exception. We had several special awards to hand out this year, making it an emotional night for many.

First up, we had the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE(r) Awards presented by Patti Lock.  This award is  broken down in to several categories:

Sail Training/Education Awarded to: Halifax, NS
Operations, Logistics, Marketing and Promotion Awarded to: Halifax, NS
Ship/Crew Vote Awarded to: Halifax, NS
Economic Impact Awarded to: Greenport, NY

Mayor David Nyce (center) of Greenport wins Economic Impact TSC, with Michael Rauworth and Patti Lock

Perry Bowl Awarded to: Pride of Baltimore II

Pride of Baltimore II Captains Trost and Miles accept the Perry Bowl for the 2012 TSC race season. With M. Rauwoth and P. Lock

Port of the Year Awarded to: Halifax, NS

Halifax, NS wins 2012 Port of the Year. Colin MacLean of WDCL (center) with M. Rauworth and P. Lock

Port Forum – Promotional Partnerships: Sales and Marketing Strategies for your Home Port

Promotional Partnerships:  Sales and Marketing Strategies for your Home Port

Presenter: Shawn Waskiewicz, Flagship Niagara League (click here for presentation)
                       Chris Pennsy, Director of Communications, VisitErie

Session Description: New partnership ideas can often come from other industries.  Shawn Waskiewicz shares his ideas on generating partnerships and revenue through ticket sales programs, naming rights, value-added initiatives and marketing programs that are working well for Tall Ships Erie 2013. 

Biography of Speaker: 

Shawn Waskiewicz is the Executive Director of the Flagship Niagara League.  His main responsibilities include managing day-to-day business operations, fundraising, and enhancing donor/corporate relations.  Prior to joining the Niagara, Waskiewicz worked in the sports industry for more than 14 years in various roles.  He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Edinboro University and master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Mercyhurst University.  Waskiewicz was named the Walker School of Business Graduate of the Year, May 2011.

Post Conference Information

Now that we are safely dug out of fearsomely-named blizzard Nemo (and the snow is now melting in the 40 degree weather, yay!), we are trying to get the information from the conference online and out to all of the participants.

Right now, you can view photos from the rigging workshop, forum day, conference sessions and awards night on our Flickr page. 

If you are looking for presentations, go to the 2013 Speakers and Sessions page  and click on the links provided there. I will be posting presentations as I receive them so be sure to check back often.

Video from the Rigging Workshop

Kim Carver of Jack Tar is attending our conference this year and created this video from the weekend rigging workshop. Be sure to follow Jack Tar on Facebook for more updates over the next few days.