R.I. Marine Trades Association to celebrate 50th anniversary

Bristol (R.I.) October 27, 2014 — The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) will celebrate a milestone in November when industry members from throughout the region gather in Rhode Island to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary. What started as a grassroots effort by industry members in 1964 has matured into a professional marine-trades organization that has become a beacon in the United States for its leadership and best practices. An industry-wide celebration sponsored by the Gowrie Group, the nation’s largest independent marine insurance group, will take place on November 6 and draw a throng of industry members from the organization’s past and present.

“RIMTA has come a long way from its humble beginnings through the volunteer efforts of a lot of dedicated marine industry leaders in the state,” said Steve Prime, vice president of Gowrie Group. “The organization has many important achievements in its history: the smallest state’s marine-trades association has accomplished more than many of its larger states’ peers.” Prime served on the RIMTA Board for 24 years and operates out of Gowrie’s Newport (R.I.) office.

Rhode Island’s compact size rimmed by 400 miles of coastline has been a fertile stage for the marine trades: the industry’s total economic impact on the state’s economy is tallied at $2.6 billion.*

RIMTA’s key initiatives going forward include building the skilled workforce to fuel the marine trades, including programs developed with support from the Governor’s Workforce Board RI that have become a model other states are now emulating; coordinating its statewide shrink-wrap recycling program and environmental education to the industry, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Management; and ongoing legislative and advocacy work that continues to draw out-of-state boaters who spend their recreational dollars in Rhode Island. In 2013, RIMTA purchased the Providence Boat Show, which is held each January, to showcase Rhode Island as a premier boating destination.

“RIMTA’s success sits on the shoulders of many people—and we welcome everyone in our industry to join us for our gala celebration in November,” said Wendy Mackie, CEO of RIMTA. “We are fortunate here in Rhode Island: we have a high concentration of marine companies and a wealth of talented individuals who have devoted their expertise and passion to building our industry.”

RIMTA’s 50th Anniversary Celebration takes place on the evening of November 6 at Trio restaurant in Narragansett. According to Mackie, the Gowrie Group jumped at the chance to be the event’s presenting sponsor: their support has cut the cost of tickets to the event in half, ensuring that this milestone celebration will be a popular event for industry members and their friends and family.

Attendees are encouraged to reserve a space in advance for the 50th Anniversary Celebration by contacting RIMTA (info@rimta.org / 401-396-9619). More information can also be found at www.rimta.org.

Joining the Gowrie Group as support sponsors of the event are Awlgrip, Helly Hansen, the Governor’s Workforce Board RI, GZA GeoEnvironmental, and Interlux.

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