PORTSMOUTH, Va., October 18, 2010 -- The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) will highlight the unique alliance that was created over a decade ago between recreational boaters and commercial navigation interests at its annual meeting, November 18 - 19 in Portsmouth, VA.  The meeting, held at the Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center, will also showcase how waterway users continue to collaborate to keep the waterway open while reinforcing its importance to the economy of the southeastern US and the nation.

AIWA is the waterway’s principal advocate in the nation’s capitol and state houses. Its goal is to ensure the waterway remains a viable transportation link and economic engine, which has become an annual challenge. While tourism interests, the academic community and state and local governments recognize the waterway as an asset to the region, funds for dredging and maintenance are lacking. For that reason the meeting agenda includes a post-election update on the new Congress plus sessions covering the environment, tourism and coalition building.

With the Mile Zero marker for the 1,090-mile waterway within sight of the hotel, the conference begins on Thursday, Nov. 18 with a “State of the Waterway” presentation from the US Army Corps of Engineers, which is charged by Congress with maintaining the waterway.

A highlight this year is a luncheon presentation on last summer’s East Coast Ocean Policy Expedition with a team from Duke University that examined the waterway’s role as a transportation system as well as its identity with the fabric of life in the southeastern US. Led by Dr. Linwood Pendleton, ocean and coastal policy director at the university’s Nicholas Institute, the boating expedition covered the northern 200 miles of the Atlantic Intracoastal, from Beaufort, NC to Norfolk, VA, aboard Pendelton’s 38-ft trawler, Indicator.

Sponsor and exhibit space is still available. For more information, plus on-line conference registration, go to Atlintracoastal.org or by phone at: 877-414-5397.

BoatUS — Boat Owners Association of The United States — is a charter member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association.

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About BoatUS:

BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money saving services.  For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.