About the Event

The Marine Recreation Association's 50th Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show, in partnership with the California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains embarks on October 18, 2022 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort in Santa Barbara, California, overlooking the picturesque coastline of the Pacific Ocean.

The 2022 MRA Educational Conference theme will be "Creating a Sustainable Future", reflecting the marine industry’s progression into a new world of possibilities and potential. By focusing our passion and people on shared purposes we can all create a steady path to successfully navigate the challenges ahead.

This year's Conference will feature a broad prospectus of industry experts and information covering key marine industry management, operations, and marketing concerns, focused on team building and improving guest services and operations to enhance customer satisfaction while meeting the challenges of regulatory compliance and optimizing fiscal results. The marine Trade Show will feature the latest technology, products, and services from leading industry vendors and contractors focused on industry growth and profitability. The three-day event will provide all participants with the ideal opportunity to network with other industry professionals and share effective strategies for successfully dealing with an ever-evolving business environment.

Special hotel rates are being offered to attendees from October 16th to the 20th, providing an extended opportunity to enjoy the many shops, restaurants, wineries, and other attractions that Santa Barbara offers.

Welcome Reception will be held Tuesday night for all attendees and guests inside the Conference Trade Show in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Beachfront Resort.

Regular Conference seminars, Trade Show exhibits, and other events will continue Wednesday through Thursday, with a special Game Night of entertainment, food, and beverages Tuesday evening. 

Location and Amenities 

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, California 93103
805.564.4333

The Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is located directly across from East Beach and half a mile from downtown shopping and restaurants with easy access to many local attractions, including the Santa Barbara Zoo, Stearns Wharf, Museums, and the Funk Zone.

The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the Amtrak station and the Santa Barbara Airport – a feature unique to the property – as well as the largest guest rooms and most recently renovated accommodations in Santa Barbara, each including a balcony or patio, and many with beautiful ocean views.

Hotel restaurants offer a range of dining options, including a grab-and-go coffee bar, and room service amenities. Rodney's Grill is ideal for dinner and drinks, serving steak, seafood, craft cocktails, and a selection of popular local wines. For a scenic dining experience with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, guests can dine at The Set, an indoor-outdoor bar and dining outpost that offers authentic California cuisine with an impressive happy hour and hand-crafted cocktails.

Other resort amenities include a large pool with seasonal poolside bar, Salon Del Mar and Spa Del Mar, a 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center, seasonal bicycle rentals, and three lighted tennis courts.

Hotel Rates

Special Rates for Attendees

Mountain / Garden View Single or Double Occupancy

  • 10/13 – 10/15 - $399 + tax
  • 10/16 – 10/20 - $229 + tax
  • 10/21 – 10/23 - $379 + tax

Check-in time: 4:00 pm

Check-out time: 12:00 noon

Complimentary Resort Shuttle to / from the Santa Barbara Airport and AMTRAK Station, between 5AM and 9PM.

To make your room reservations, call 800.879.2929, or reserve your room online at: https://book.passkey.com/go/marinarecreation

Reservation Cut-Off Date is Friday, September 23, 2022.

Applicable state & local taxes, fees & assessments are not included in prices.

Prices for Triple and Quad Occupancy are increased from prices listed above.

Pre-Conference Events

27th Annual Golf Tournament

Tee Time: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Sandpiper Golf Club
7925 Hollister Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
805.968.1541

The championship golf course at Sandpiper has been rated by Golf Digest in the top twenty-five public golf courses in California and top 100 public courses in the Country.

Designed by William F. Bell, and opened in 1972 featuring beautiful rolling fairways and challenging greens in a seaside links style layout, Sandpiper Golf Course provides an inspiring combination of challenge and beauty with breathtaking ocean and mountain views from every hole, a truly memorable experience.

Sandpiper’s dynamic design attracts players of all skill levels and has challenged the abilities of PGA and LPGA players alike, playing host to several professional tournaments including: The PGA Tour Tournament Players Series, The LPGA Tour Santa Barbara Women's Open, and the prestigious final stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying school.

The $165 tournament fee includes green fee, cart, drink tickets and a $20 food voucher. Transportation to the golf course is not provided

Marina Operations Seminar

Sessions will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Tuesday, October 18th at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

The morning session, starting at 9:00 AM, will feature an interactive “Digital Marketing Management Workshop” providing attendees with the information and skills to effectively set-up, manage, and optimize your on-line marketing and digital infrastructure supporting websites, social media, digital newsletters and other content creation, understanding analytics, and more. Bring your laptops as this will be an interactive session designed to help participants set- up and optimize your online accounts and media.

The afternoon session will provide an overview of the recently revised MRA Wharfage / Lease Agreement with attorney Phil Weiss discussing this critically important legal consideration for all marina operators. Phil will also deliver some insightful “War Stories” of legal battles he has fought through the years and provide plenty of opportunity for questions and comments

The cost for this important series of introductory seminars is $110 per attendee and includes lunch.

Pre-Conference Events

8th Annual Marina and Boatyard Tour

Ventura Harbor is the fastest growing coastal harbor in California with extensive marina renovations going on throughout the harbor and the addition of the new Portside Marina.

Lying just south of Santa Barbara, and home to more than 1,500 recreational boats and commercial fishing vessels, it is the gateway to the Channel Islands with a full range of yachting and commercial vessel services.

 

This year’s Marina & Boatyard Tour will include tours of the Derecktor and Ventura Harbor Boatyards, the new Portside Marina, Ventura West Marinas, Safe Harbor Ventura Isle, Ventura Harbor Village Marina, and a lunch stop at the Ventura Harbor Marina Village with its many shops and eateries.

There's plenty to see, so please join us. Spaces are limited, so sign up soon. Transportation will be provided and will leave the hotel at 9:30 AM and return by 4:30 PM. Tour cost is $45 per person.

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