The Bahamas marina operators will be able to draw upon the expertise of one of the world's experts on marina law and co-founder of the International Marina Institute at the upcoming Bahamas Marina Operators Association Development Forum on Monday, February 25, 2008, at Old Bahama Bay, Gin Sur Mer, West End, in Grand Bahama.

Dennis W. Nixon has been invited by The Bahamas Hotel Association, the forum's organizer, to share his views on marina associations, their roles, and their benefits both to operators and to the communities where they exist. Mr. Nixon, a Professor of Marina Affairs since 1976, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the College of Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island since 2001, vast knowledge and experience on marina liability.

This forum is being made possible by BHA, through its Sustainable Tourism Entrepreneurial Management and Marketing Project (STEMM), an initiative supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It is also receiving additional support from the United States Embassy Rhode Island Partnership Program. BHA was first introduced to Mr. Nixon early last year when he was invited to The Bahamas by the United States Embassy as part of the Rhode Island-Bahamas Partnership Program. He provided valuable input both to the public and private sectors last spring during a series of meetings throughout The Bahamas with marina operators organized by the Government to solicit operator feedback on a proposed national marina policy.

An outgrowth of that process was the formation of The Bahamas Marina Operators Task Force by The Bahamas Hotel Association, to review the policy and make recommendations to the Government. One of the Task Force's recommendations called for the creation of a Bahamas Marina Operators Association to conduct industry research, market the growing sector, establish industry standards, work closely with Government and advance the training and certifications important to the industry's development.

Mr. Nixon is a marine lawyer by training, and a member of the Maritime Law Association of the Rhode Island Bar. He has lectured on marine law topics at many levels both nationally and internationally; in 27 states, 22 countries, and 6 continents. He researches on marine and coastal law and has authored more than 50 articles.

More than fifty 50 marina operators are expected to attend The Bahamas Marina Operators Association Development Forum in Grand Bahama on February 25th. The meeting includes planning sessions covering key aspects of drafting a business plan outline. It will also provide an opportunity for marina operators throughout The Bahamas to exchange information of common interest as they focus on the development of a Bahamas Marina Operators Association.