The following is text of a news release from the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA):
(SEVERNA PARK, Md.) — The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) and the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) have agreed to hold their 2020 international convention together at the Doubletree by Hilton at Universal Studios, Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 21 – 25, with the exposition portion of the event being held Sept. 22 and 23.
The combined NMEA/RTCM Conference & Expo is the largest industry trade event in North America focusing strictly on marine electronics. The combined meeting will be in conjunction with the 2020 NMEA International Marine Electronics Conference & Expo. By combining the events, attendees will have an opportunity to participate in technical and education sessions offered by both organizations. The agenda will allow RTCM and NMEA to hold meetings tailored specifically for their members, in addition to presentations of mutual interest. As an added benefit, this year RTCM will host an IALA initiative, the e-Navigation Underway North America Conference where a wide range of experts will discuss developments in this important program advancing the safety of maritime navigation.
"We are very excited to be back in Florida which is a world center for recreational marine electronics," said Mark Reedenauer, NMEA president and executive eirector. "Having RTCM back at the conference brings together both the commercial and recreational sectors of our industry and those experts who represent them. The addition of e-Navigation leaders from Canada, the U.S. and around the world will bring yet another significant dimension to our program and opportunity for our participants. The combined event is a win-win for everyone."
Beginning Monday morning, Sept. 21, conference registrants can choose to attend various installer and business tracks, RTCM sessions, and manufacturer-specific sessions. The full detailed schedule will be posted on the NMEA Expo website in upcoming months. A continental breakfast beginning at 7 AM and coffee breaks are included throughout each morning of the five-day event. Most of the sessions are repeated twice so that attendees can adjust their schedules to attend specific areas of interest. Buffet lunches run each day from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
Other highlights of the combined event include an expo where many of the manufacturers will introduce new products for 2021. Manufacturers will also offer training sessions during the week. The RTCM GMDSS task force meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 21. The NMEA Product of Excellence Awards Banquet will be held Thursday evening, Sept. 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Registration for the annual event will open in mid-May. For additional information, visit www.nmea.org or www.rtcm.orgor contact the NMEA office at (410) 975-9425, or RTCM at (703) 527-2000.
NMEA will also offer the following full-day installer training courses. A specific schedule will be posted soon at www.nmea.org. A different registration fee applies for these daylong classes:
*NMEA & ABYC Combined Training, Tuesday – Friday
*Basic NMEA Installer Training (MEI), Tuesday
*Basic NMEA 2000 Installer Training, Wednesday
*Advanced NMEA Installer Training (AMEI), Thursday
*Advanced NMEA 2000 Installer Training, Friday
A preliminary schedule of events will be posted soon on www.expo.nmea.org and more information will be added in coming months. If you have questions, contact the NMEA main office at (410) 975-9425.
