7:18 AM Thu 4 Feb 2010 GMT
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'Dave Northrop, president of Maritimo USA is one of many industry identities I look forward to catching up with at Miami'
Bob Wonders
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Tomorrow (February 5) I fly out of the Brisbane International Airport bound for the 'City of Angels', also known as Los Angeles.
After catching my breath (and attending to my thirst!) I leap aboard another aircraft headed for Miami and the Miami International Boat Show.
As much as I look forward to Miami, I cannot say the same about; a) packing b) airports c) aeroplanes and d) aeroplane food.
Packing is a definite bore; the airport shuttle is due to collect me in, oh, about 15-hours and filling (or at least part filling) a bag is still ahead of me.
Oh well, them's the breaks, as they say.
The good thing about Miami is the old friends I catch up with, and there are some characters among them, I assure you.
There's Gordon Houser, a man of whom it was once said, 'if you don't know Gordon Houser you can't be in the boating industry'.
A former US Army paratrooper, Gordon can look back on glittering careers with Donzi, Wellcraft and Chris-Craft, to name a few of his credits.
Another I'm looking forward to dining (and drinking!) with is Jim Rhodes, a former Master Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy who now heads Rhodes Communications in Norfolk, Virginia.
Last time I was in Norfolk as a guest of Mr Rhodes he gave me a quick tour of the massive US Navy base, home of its Atlantic Fleet, and that was a sight to see, let me tell you.
While in Norfolk I also had the opportunity to visit the burial tomb of the late (come on, he'd have to 'the late' to be in a tomb, right?) General Douglas Macarthur.
I've also lined up an interview with Thom Dammrich, the impressive president of the powerful National Marine Manufacturers Association and with Cathy Rick-Joule, manager of the Miami International Boat Show.
Another I look forward to chatting with is Marilyn de Martini, who handles the promotion and publicity for the legendary Cigarette Racing Team and the American involvement for the P1 powerboats.
I'm counting on Marilyn to arrange for me to speak with Skip Braver, CEO of Cigarette Racing Team.
From a journalist's point of view, what makes Miami a valuable source of material is simply the fact that the US boating industry views it as the 'must attend' show.
Other exhibitions may be larger, others may attract more visitors, but Miami is really where it all happens.
I was once told that more business, that is dealers doing business with manufacturers, dollars are written in the bottom bar of the Miami Marriott Hotel than anywhere else in the US.
Does that mean I have to visit another bar?
Ok, ok, anything for Powerboat-World readers.
Call by for the issue of February 19 and I'll tell you all about it.
by Bob Wonders
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Koolan Island / Koolan Central, WA
