b'LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORPVA and the AT THE HELMCHALLENGES of 2020JOHN GROUNDWATER // EXECUTIVE DIRECTORA rguably, the Passenger Vessel Association has never experienced aweeks with Congress not agreeing on the terms of another emergency year that comes close to the challenges posed in 2020.PVA leadersstimulus bill, as of this writing, there is some room for hope that there and staff have worked diligently throughout to support membersmay be agreement on a measure that would create an emergency funding during this lingering and debilitating coronavirus pandemic. bridge between this Congress and the next.Help could not come any morequicklyasPVAmembercompanies,manyofwhicharesmall PVA REOPENING GUIDELINES:A PATH FORWARD businesses, have run through their Paycheck Protection Program funds In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, PVA jumped into actionand other loan programs and are in dire need of a new lifeline from our todevelopReopeningGuidelines:GettingtheDomesticPassengerfederal government.Vessel Industry Back Underway that PVA members could use in safely reopening their businesses operations when they were able to do so.ThisRestassuredthatPVAwillcontinuetoadvocateforhelpforour important PVA document was created in record time leaning heavily onindustryvessel and associate members alike.We do expect that there the expertise of the exceptionally talented members of the PVA Safety andwill be additional opportunities with the incoming Biden Administration Security Committee.They correctly recognized that there was literallyand the 117th Congress to obtain meaning financial relief for all PVA no guidance out there for PVA members to use in protecting passengersmembers.and crew from the virus.At the time, it was expected that, as a nation, we would be able to quickly turn the corner on the pandemic and beginPROPOSED PVA DIGITAL MARKETING PROGRAMgetting back to normal.Unfortunately, this expected outcome did notAs has been previously reported, PVA is reviewing presentations from materialize.PVAmemberswerenonethelessabletowidelyusetheprospective contractors to develop and implement a first-ever digital document to effectively plan for a timemarketingprogramtopromotethepassenger when they would again begin operating. vesselindustrytothetravelingpublicandat PVA leaders and staffthesametime,assistPVAmemberstobegin WORKING WITHrecoveringfromtheeffectsofthecoronavirus STATE GOVERNMENTS have worked diligentlypandemic.The proposal is to establish a digital Part of the rationale for developing thethroughout to supportmarketing program that promotes the safety and PVA Reopening Guidelines was becausefun associated with the passenger vessel industry thefederalgovernmenthadnottakenmembers during thison a national level.A new PVA web site will be the lead in developing coronavirus ruleslingering and debilitatingdeveloped that allows users to identify and contact and rather abdicated the responsibilityPVA members throughout the United States. It tostategovernments.PVAmemberscoronavirus pandemic. is envisioned that an app will be developed as a complainedthatresultingrulesforcompanion to the website for travelers to use. The passengervesseloperatorswereeitherextremelyvagueorcompletelypresentations from prospective contractors have been highly creative. nonexistent. As a result, PVA launched a campaign to send the PVAThis important project is taking shape with the input and assistance of a coronavirus reopening guidelines to state governors to urge them to usenewly formed PVA Digital Marketing Committee.the guidelines to establish coronavirus state rules that would be consistent and effectivefor passenger vessel operators. 2021 PVA MEMBERSHIP DUESThis month, you will receive an invoice for your 2021 PVA membership ADVOCATING ON CAPITOL HILLdues.Sensitivetotheimpactsofthecoronaviruspandemiconour AND WITH THE ADMINISTRATION members, the PVA Board of Directors has voted not to raise dues and fees PVA leaders and staff also lobbied Congress and the Administration tofor those using the PVA Alternate Security Program (ASP) in 2021.We provide emergency stimulus funding for a passenger vessel industry thathope that you will support our ongoing work on your behalf.had been literally shut down.It was imperative that we let our leaders in Washington D.C. know that our industry was being ravaged by thePVA VIRTUAL CONVENTION AT MARITRENDS 2021coronavirus pandemic.Impassioned letters were sent to Congress andHave you registered to attend the PVA Virtual Convention at MariTrends the Administration seeking immediate assistance.You, as PVA members,2021 scheduled February 16-18?Registration is now open and PVA rose to the call by sending hundreds of letters to your representatives onvessel members have two registration options.The first, at $100, will Capitol Hill as well as to the Administration.Together, our efforts helpedallow a company to register as many employees as possible that they wish in getting a first round of emergency loans and funds into the pipeline forto attend the virtual convention.Our hope is that individuals who have PVA members. never had a chance to participate in a PVA convention will take part in this virtual event.A $50 registration fee is also available for individual Ourwork,however,isnotdone.Wecontinuetoadvocatefortheregistrants.passenger vessel industry in the waning days of the lame duck 116th Congress.While there has been political stalemate over the last six to eightContinue on pg. 45DEC 2020 7 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'