Ten Year Recap - Ten Highlights

We had a record turn-out for last month’s Annual Meeting at the Seattle Aquarium. Thanks to all of you who attended. For those who could not make it, I wanted to make sure you knew that I am planning on stepping down in June.

That will be 10 years at the helm of the association for me. I came in 1999 thinking I would stay for 4-5 years and before you know it, a decade has gone by. I have been blessed throughout my life. I have enjoyed each and every chapter and I am thankful to the Board for giving me the opportunity to lead the NMTA.

We have accomplished a great deal. Like all meaningful things in life, it has been a team effort. Forty different members have served on the board while I have been here. Hundreds of members have volunteered to serve on committees and the staff has made it all possible. Thanks to everyone.

At the Annual Meeting, I cited 10 key accomplishments which I’d like to recap for all of you:

1. Fiscal Responsibility – When I arrived, the association’s health care plan had a significant deficit. We were able to pay off the debt. In addition, we have grown revenues and increased reserves. As always, the financial reports are on our website in the Members Only Section.
   
   
2. New Culture – With the help of many, we created a culture of members first, all members are equal and all industry segments are mission critical to growing boating. The Board adopted a set of values that guide staff and volunteers on a daily basis.
   
   
3. Strategic Plan – I am proud to say that the Board adopts a written strategic plan which provides the road map for the association each year. The plan is the foundation for accountability of me to the Board and for the Board to the membership. The Strategic Plan is available on our website.
   
   
4. Communications – This is probably one of the most difficult challenges for any association today. I hope that we struck the right balance of using new technologies to communicate with all of you… but not to over communicate. I am especially proud of the systems that George Harris created to allow us to communicate with all of you with customized information just for you.
   
   
5. Growing the Seattle Boat Show – My first show in 2000 was the first non-Kingdome show. Between then and 2008, we actually doubled the size of the show while gradually increasing attendance while other shows across the country were not enjoying the same success. The current economy will probably humble us and the 2009 edition of the show, but I remain proud of the show’s quality and integrity.
   
   
6. Trained and Retained Staff – I believe we are the best regional marine trade association in the country and this is only possible because of the 8 great staff members who I get to work with every day. They are the best!
   
   
7. Grow Boating Program – We created our own regional Grow Boating Program 6 years ago through a surcharge on space at the Seattle Boat Show. This multi-faceted program was created by members and is directed by dedicated volunteers focused on growing boating in the Northwest.
   
   
8. Government Affairs – Thanks to our lobbyist, Cliff Webster, we have created a meaningful and successful government affairs program over the past 10 years that has allowed us to pass pro-boating legislation in Olympia. We have also been able to impact national legislation through our state congressional delegation. I am particularly proud that the state of Washington adopted a Mandatory Boater Education program in 2005.
   
   
9. New Organizations – I am also proud of the “specialty organizations” that we gave birth to including: the Shoreline Property Owners and Contractors Association, Clean Marina Program, Fish Northwest and the Washington Boating Alliance.
   
   
10. Unifying the Industry – This last item has consumed a huge amount of time for so many volunteers and members of the NMTA and the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association. Great progress has been made by unifying boat shows and I am sure that there is room for even greater cooperation and teamwork in the future.

Ten years is the longest I have ever done one thing in my life. I have always tackled assignments in 5-10 year “chunks” and now it is time to look for the next challenge. I will be here at my desk through June. Between now and then, please let me know how we can serve you better.

Finally, I just looked back at the first column I ever wrote for Water Life. My first line in that column said, “I love this job”. Turns out almost 10 years later I still do. Thanks.

With warm regards,

Michael Campbell

P.S. The Board has formed a Search Committee for my replacement. Details at www.nmta.net. I encourage you to contact the committee and help them find the best possible person to lead the association in the years ahead.