SEMINAR SCHEDULE

8:00am: Breakfast

8:30–8:45am: Introduction – Neal Harrell / Brooks Marine Group

8:45-9:15am: Destination: Rhode Island - Mark Brodeur / Rhode Island Commerce/Director of Tourism

9:15–9:45am: AYCA Contracts Discussion - Missy Johnston / Northrop-Johnson Yacht Charters, John Bromley & Robert E. Collins / Clinton & Muzyka, P.C. Boston Maritime Attorney

9:45-10:15am: Destination Montenegro / Rade Bogavac

— 10:15-10:30: Break —

10:30-11:00am: MARAD Waiver Discussion – Karen Kelly Shea / Nicholson Yacht Charters

11:00am-12:00pm: Round Tables: All Seminar Attendees Welcome!

Ankor Software
Preservation Society of Newport County
Newport Classic Car Tours
Triton Insurance
Vineyard Haven Marina
Discover Newport
South County Tourism Council
Clinton & Muzyka Admiralty Attorney

Moderator: Neal Harrell

Neal Harrell is the founder and president of Brooks Marine Group, a Newport-based management search firm specializing in recruiting key personnel for recreational boat and yacht builders, boatyards, marinas, boat dealerships and marine industry suppliers. This is the 6th time he's moderated the ACYA Seminar Series

SPEAKERS

Destination Highlight-  Rhode Island

MARK BRODEUR / Director of Tourism

Mark is responsible for implementing and managing the activities of the corporation’s International and group tourism efforts, PR, sales trade events, and marketing programs.  Mark manages the Corporations tourism industry research. As the tourism sector lead, Mark is the first point of contact for industry development interests and works with industry to develop tourism product.

A 39-year veteran of the tourism and hospitality industry, Mark has worked as director of operations for Rhode Island Tourism and manager of the Rhode Island Welcome Center. He held leadership roles at Paragon Tours and Travel and Suisse Chalet hotels. He also has advised firms such as Travel Access, AAA, Scholastic Tours, and Camera Tours. In addition, mark has directed hundreds of package tours to destinations throughout four continents.

AYCA Contract Discussions

Maritime Attorney John J. Bromley :: Clinton & Muzyka, P.C. Boston

Attorney Bromley is a Proctor in Admiralty and a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served in support of various naval missions both on share and at sea throughout the first Gulf War. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Admiralty & Maritime at Suffolk Law School. He obtained an Associate Degree in Journalism at Broward Community College and holds an undergraduate degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College. He earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. Attorney Bromley is also designated as a Certified Subrogation Recovery Specialist (“CSRP”).

Maritime Attorney Robert E. Collins :: Clinton & Muzyka, P.C. Boston

Attorney Collins obtained his undergraduate degree from Roger Williams University before receiving his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law and his LLM from Boston University School of Law in Boston. Attorney Collins is currently employed as an adjunct professor of marine affairs at Roger Williams University School of Law, where he instructs on courses in Admiralty Law, Collision and Limitation of Liability, and Maritime Personal Injury Law, and as an adjunct professor of marine affairs at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he instructs on courses in Maritime Law, Policy, and Regulations.

Missy Johnston :: President, AYCA

Missy helped write and shape the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1995 and worked extensively with the Coast Guard and Congressional committees on the drafting and passage of this important law. This made Missy uniquely qualified as one of the original draftees of the AYCA charter contracts: the AYCA Bareboat Agreement, the AYCA Vessel Services Agreement and the AYCA Uninspected Passenger Vessel Agreement. Missy has been a member of the American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) since 1991, where she is currently serving her second term as President. She has also served as Vice-President, and Secretary and spent years on the Board. In drafting and originating these contracts, Missy worked extensively with Myba and with American Admiralty Attorneys to assure that the ACYA contracts were as reflective of Myba business terms as American Admiralty laws allowed. Missy has also been extensively involved in the latest contract revisions of 2022. Missy is a member of the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association and has served on other worldwide yacht charter industry committees.

Destination Highlight:  Montenegro

Montenegro: Land & Sea, captures Montenegro's enticing features and puts you in the middle of the action. With the recent development of luxury nautical settlements, Montenegro is putting itself on the map as the rising star of the Mediterranean. Montenegro is the country for you for its coastal capacities, marinas, hotels, and shore itineraries. For the outdoor enthusiast, attractions include national parks, rivers, lakes, and of course, the Adriatic Sea. Adventure seekers come to explore the caves, river rafting, and ATV tours. The unique sense of the old-world charm can be found in remote villages, rural areas, and the quiet hills 

RADE BOGAVAC the founder and CEO of Travel Twitch, a Montenegro-based travel company. He is an experienced travel guide, narrator, and historian. Rade is a member of the Tourist Guide Association of Montenegro, where he oversees and executes large events. He was a dedicated project manager for incentive trips to Montenegro with InTours DMC agency, where he organized and executed large scale events for guests. With a decade of experience in various travel sectors, Rade is the expert to reach out to for various vacation needs. Rade recently relocated to Boston, where he runs his tourism business.