Ms. Kelly stated she revised the Marine Industrial Business Symposium budget to accommodate 250 attendees.  The tentative date of the symposium has been moved to June 2004.  Dr. Pamella Dana, Governor Bush’s MRC designee and director of the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, asked MRC staff to submit a written proposal to her for the State to consider co-sponsoring the planned Marine Industrial Business Symposium.  Ms. Kelly noted that there is a commitment from Mr. Isilio Arriaga, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce  (GMCC) President and CEO, to assist in seeking additional sponsorships.

Ms. Kelly directed MRC staff to generate a mailing list of businesses, organizations, and elected officials, which should attend the event.  Mr. Frank Herhold, Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), offered to provide the organization’s member mailing list.  Ms. Kelly stated she and Mr. Bibeau had met with Mr. Dana Fernety, Beacon Council, and asked for the Beacon Council’s pledged “in-kind” sponsorship to be designing, printing and mailing the 5,000-piece mailer.  In addition, Ms. Kelly reported she and Bibeau had met with Tony Crapp and Brian Finnie, Director of Miami-Dade County’s Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED), whom pledged support for the event and indicated they would have a staff member contact the MRC.  Bibeau stated he would follow up with Mr. Finnie and Mr. Crapp, since OCED staff had not contacted the MRC.  Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, noted that the Caribbean Shipping Association headquarters will be e-mailed the information for distribution to their members, and she provided MRC staff with two marine industrial publications to market the Symposium in.  Mr. Herhold will provide the directory for the Port Everglades Association.  

Mr. Bibeau stated Mr. Tom Murray, author of the MIASF Mega-Yacht Economic Impact Study, has accepted the EDC’s invitation to be a speaker at the event.  Mr. Murray requested only the hotel and airfare be covered.  Dr. Bohnsack reported Mr. Kevin Horn, whom is completing a Miami River Economic Study, has accepted the EDC’s invitation to be a guest speaker, pending his availability on the rescheduled date.  Dr. Dana agreed to co-host the Marine Industrial Business Summit.  

The EDC discussed the fact that the Maritime Transportation and Security Act mandates foreign ports of call to implement new security measures by July 1, 2004 .    Vessels will not be allowed to transit into U.S. waters from an un-secure port. Dr. Dana suggested the MRC write the Florida International Volunteering Agency (FAVACA) based in Miami , and CARICOM, which involve the French and English speaking nations of the Caribbean , to encourage compliance with the security regulations in order to maintain U.S. trade opportunities, including the port of the Miami River .

The meeting adjourned.