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THE ICOYC AMERICAS REGIONAL CONFERENCE
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The Royal Canadian Yacht Club welcomed nearly 50 delegates, club staff and guest speakers to the 2024 ICOYC Americas Regional Conference, on September 15-18, 2024, at their stunning Island Clubhouse in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The theme of the conference was Navigating the Modern Yacht Club, and 14 ICOYC Member Clubs were represented.
Founded in 1852, Royal Canadian Yacht Club is located on the Toronto Islands on Lake Ontario, and the magnificent clubhouse and grounds have a gorgeous view of Toronto that all attendees enjoyed while navigating three days of networking, presentations and stimulating conversations.
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Save the Date for the 14th Annual ICOYC World Forum, May 26-May 31, 2025 at Royal Thames Yacht Club.
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SESSION 1: HERITAGE, HISTORY AND TRADITION
Beverly Danville, Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Phil Smith, Eastern Yacht Club
Bruce Corley, Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
This session detailed various methods to record club documents, maintain trophy collections and how to engage members in the preservation process.
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SESSION 2: MANAGING MEMBER COHORTS
Kim Fata And Alison Newall, Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club
Pam Lowry, Seattle Yacht Club
Carolyn Patrick, St. Francis Yacht Club
Each presenter outlined a scenario that has impacted their respective club. Delegates split into groups and came up with alternative ideas and solutions to address the scenarios. Each group shared collectively, and great discussion ensued.
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SESSION 3: GOVERNANCE
Leif Sigmond, Chicago Yacht Club, ICOYC President
Todd Irving, Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Ted Kaczmarski, Annapolis Yacht Club
David Stotler, Long Beach Yacht Club
This group session covered key governance topics, including governance structure, nominating processes, elections and bylaw amendments. The discussion of structure revealed that, while similarities echo among the clubs, there are many big differences.
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SESSION 4: STRATEGIC PLANNING
Ryan Doerr, President Strategic Club Solutions
Carolyn Patrick, St. Francis Yacht Club
Randy Holbrook, Seattle Yacht Club
Joe Divito, St. Petersburg Yacht Club
Ryan Doerr conducted a comprehensive analysis of strategic planning in the club industry, then led a panel discussion on this evergreen club topic.
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SESSION 5: SUPPORTING ATHLETES
John Curtis, Wind Athletes Canada
Leif Sigmond, Chicago Yacht Club Foundation
Blain Pedlow and Marcus Lynch, US Sailing
The panel started with a discussion about raising money and organizing activities to support Olympic and other sailing competition. There was an interesting contrast between the US and Canada in terms of Olympic fundraising. There was also a presentation about yacht club foundations that support elite sailing efforts, including the Olympics.
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SESSION 6: THE GENERAL MANAGERS
Cory Anderson, Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Keith Brennan, Chicago Yacht Club
Brian Asch, Annapolis Yacht Club
General Managers discussed effective leadership strategies and best practices when it comes to members, sharing examples of their own personal styles of leadership. Sharing good communication practices and discussions with leadership was the center of the conversation.
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SESSION 7: NEW OLYMPICS SAILING PARADIGMS
Paul Henderson, Canadian Olympian
Dan Cunningham, Sail Canada Kitefoiling Coach
Canadian Olympian Paul Henderson detailed why it’s so important to have a club connection for athletes competing at the elite level of the Olympics. Dan Cunningham spoke about the future of the “boat-less” and foiling fleets at the Olympics.
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Share Your Club News with ICOYC
Add info@icoyc.org to your communications distribution lists for an easy way to ensure that your regular club news and press releases are reaching the ICOYC community. From regatta information to club updates to member achievements, the ICOYC is always looking for news that will be relevant to any yacht club, anywhere in our network.
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38th America’s Cup: Defender and Challenger Paving the Way
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Emirates Team New Zealand are pleased to confirm that the RNZYS has accepted a Notice of Challenge for the 38th America’s Cup (AC38) from the Royal Yacht Squadron Limited, represented by INEOS Britannia, which will act as the Challenger of Record for AC38.
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Cracking start for Boris Herrmann in Vendée Globe
After sailing up the Port Olona channel to the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd, the 40 skippers crossed the start of the 10th Vendée Globe without a hitch. Among them, Boris Herrmann from Yacht Club de Monaco at the helm of the IMOCA Malizia-Seaexplorer is considered a serious contender, after his 5th place in the previous edition.
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First Wing Foil Regatta on the Chesapeake Bay
On October 25-27, 2024, Annapolis Yacht Club hosted the first annual Chesapeake Wing Foil Championship. Not only was this the first wing foil regatta that was put on by the Club, but it was also possibly the first ever wing foil racing event ever contested on the Chesapeake Bay.
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