It’s officially underway in Tavares, Florida. What is?
It’s where the Antique and Classic Boat Society has its first quarterly Board of Directors meeting of 2018 and where many boaters get started on the boating season for the year. 
Today, Thursday, the ACBS Board of Directors met at Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills, FL. The Executive Committee is pictured here.
It was a very business-like meeting with honest discussions about finance, membership retention and growth, future events, and marketing. If you are an active member of ACBS you may see each of the committee reports, including financial statements by clicking on the MEMBERS ONLY tab at the top menu of this website page. Sign into your ACBS online Directory with your email address, then click on the RESOURCES tab. In that drop-down list choose Minutes and Reports. Full disclosure of all committees and staff is there for your information.
ACBS Leadership left to right: Dan Gyoerkoe, Exec. Director, Rich Lepping, Pres., Gary Fesperman, Sec., Tim Bush, Treasurer, Stan Struble, Vice Pres.
Highlighting a few of the major initiatives here:
- Looking at the ongoing work of the Judging committee. Dan Nelson (Bob Speltz L:and-O-Lakes Chapter) and Jeff Funk (Indiana Chapter) presented what a 10 member committee has been creating starting with a detailed job description of the Head Judge. New, more detailed judging sheets are being developed, show rules will be clearly defined, show protocol for judges specified, and an apprenticeship program encouraged. Education concerning the procedures and benefits of having a boat judged will begin with articles in the Rudder and through this website. The Annual ACBS International Boat Show will become the premier show.
- Chapter Relations emphasis is on what ACBS and Chapters can do together. ACBS International is listening to Chapter leadership and members to meet their needs and to share their good ideas. More will be done to establish more regional cooperation. There is a need to “promote boating” as a way of life with ACBS as a bonus resource.
- The Marketing Committee is focusing on raising awareness of ACBS as an organization and defining the value of membership, The sharing of information through this website is part of their promotion, The Weekly Web Watch email has greatly increased the viewership. Promotional materials provided to chapters have been developed such as the “How Do You Spend Your Weekend” videos and membership value promotional cards to use at public shows.
Thursday evening – The Sunnyland Festival this year titled “Beach Party” began with a reception for all registered attendees provided by the City of Tavares.
The boats had been rolling in all day. Lots of hugs and catching up on families as well as boat projects. The City of Tavares hosted the official Welcome party at the Tavares Pavillion. Terry Fiest and the City Administrator officially kicked off this year’s celebration and spring opening of the boating season.
left to right; – Official Welcome, boats as the center pieces, and great music in the background