Keynotes by Capt. Nick Sloane and Coach Terry Bowden, Comprehensive Conference Program, and Nearly 200 Exhibitors Highlight New WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo in New Orleans

    NEW ORLEANS, LA, March 17, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With keynote addresses by Capt. Nick Sloane, salvage master for the wreck removal of the cruise ship Costa Concordia, and legendary college football coach Terry Bowden, plus an in-depth conference program and an exhibit floor showcasing the latest products and services, New Orleans will be the place to be from April 14-16 for professionals responsible for handling vessel maintenance and repair.

The WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo, which will be held at the Morial Convention Center, is the only commercial marine event dedicated to helping fleet managers, port captains and operators keep vessels in top working condition.

"This info-packed three-day conference and expo will provide attendees with the tools they need to maintain and repair commercial fleets now and in the future," said David Krapf, editor in chief of WorkBoat magazine. "It will be the best place to connect with the people, products and services related to the maintenance and repair of vessels and their equipment."

To register, visit www.WorkBoatMaintenanceandRepair.com.

Keynote Speakers
Capt. Sloane, who will deliver the keynote address at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, will provide an inside look at the engineering and logistical challenges that went into the successful parbuckling of the 114,500-ton Costa Concordia, a project that some said was almost impossible. "Capt. Sloane has headed up several of the world's most challenging salvage operations, often under intense public and private pressure," Krapf said. "But the 30-month Costa Concordia salvage was the largest and most challenging wreck removal operation he had ever tackled."

Legendary football Coach Terry Bowden will deliver the second keynote address at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 16. Coach Bowden will open his playbook and share leadership and teamwork lessons drawn from his life on and off the field. "Coach Bowden was the nation's youngest head coach at age 26 when he took over at Auburn and went 11-0 in his first year there," noted Krapf. "He also made a splash in the broadcasting industry after he left coaching and became one of college football's top studio analysts. I anticipate that his stories on teamwork and leadership will be entertaining and inspiring."

Both luncheons and keynote addresses are open to all attendees. Seating is limited.

Conference Programming
With a comprehensive schedule in three dynamic tracts, the WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair conference program will deliver solutions specifically targeted for professionals involved in commercial vessel maintenance and repair.

The Expo's conference day on Tuesday, April 14, will offer three in-depth programming tracts: Structure and Hull, Power and Propulsion and Regulations. Additional general sessions and product demonstrations are set for Wednesday and Thursday.

The full list of conference sessions and speakers is available here: http://www.workboatmaintenanceandrepair.com/conference

Exhibit Hall
In addition to the Conference, the Expo will offer a highly focused exhibit hall with nearly 200 top companies showcasing the latest products that relate to professionals who have vessel repair and maintenance responsibilities. "With these targeted exhibitors, you'll meet the experts that will help you get the job done right, on time and on budget," Krapf said.

Expo organizers said 95% of the exhibit hall has already been reserved.

Download the Exhibit Space Application Here:
http://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=153818639&sid=69023142&m=9364501&u=DBComm&j=26293047&s=http://www.workboatmaintenanceandrepair.com/images/WBMR2015_exhibapp.pdf

See the Floor Plan:
http://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=153818639&sid=69023143&m=9364501&u=DBComm&j=26293047&s=http://www.workboatmaintenanceandrepair.com/images/exhibit/wbmr_floorplan.pdf

For more information, contact Expo Sales Director Chris Dimmerling at 207.842.5666 or at [email protected].

Unique Networking Opportunities
Vessel maintenance and repair professionals will be able to connect with experts and peers through a variety of daily networking events, including: coffee breaks, keynote breakfasts and luncheons, and happy hours. "These events are designed to make sure you connect with the right people without relying exclusively on after hours activities," Krapf noted.

Pricing for the WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo:

All Access Pass
Includes all conference sessions and networking events for April 14-16
March 16-April 13 $545
April 14 and later $595

Expo Only
Includes opening reception on April 14 and all networking events on April 15-16
March 16-April 13 $60
April 14 and later $75

For more information, visit www.WorkBoatMaintenanceandRepair.com.

About WorkBoat
WorkBoat is part of the Diversified Business Communications portfolio of commercial marine events, publications and e-media products. The WorkBoat brand has been connecting qualified buyers with leading suppliers for more than 70 years. In print through WorkBoat magazine, online at WorkBoat.com, face-to-face at the International WorkBoat Show and through education with the Professional Series, WorkBoat delivers high quality information to all segments of the marine industry in North America. For more information, visit www.workboat.com.

About Diversified Communications
Diversified Communications, based in Portland, Maine, provides information and market access through face-to-face events, publications and eMedia. Diversified serves a number of industries including: seafood, food service, natural and organic, healthcare, commercial marine and business management. Diversified operates divisions in Australia, Hong Kong, India, the UK and Canada. For more information, visit: http://www.divcom.com

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