Florida’s Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa near Jacksonville is the site for National Marine Bankers Association’s (NMBA) 28th Marine Lending Conference, taking place September 30-October 2. NMBA’s Conference Committee, co-chaired by Peggy Bodenreider of GE Money and NMBA Director Emeritus Don Mattocks, selected the venue based on its facilities, comfortable meeting space, attractive lodging rates, easy travel accessibility, exceptional golf courses and nearby attractions.

The Conference will feature business sessions focused on lending issues and concerns, identify opportunities in the coming year, provide an overview of how the boating industry is faring, deliver a useful general economic outlook, and update industry promotional efforts available to attendees. It highlights networking with colleagues through the traditional golf tourney, planned mixers and side-activities, as well as when the exhibit area is open.

NMBA’s Conference is the annual meeting place for those involved in the marine finance and related service industries and attracts 150-plus participants each year.

Sawgrass is the second largest golf resort in America, with five courses and 99 holes. NMBA’s 11th Golf Tournament, which has been attracting a field of 90 participants in recent years, will use one of the courses that is host to The PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour, and home of the Players' Championship. For non-golfers, area attractions include historic cities, Walt Disney World and the Daytona Speedway, among others.

Early booking is recommended. Room rates have been secured for $169 (plus taxes and fees) per night. Visit sawgrassmarriott.com for details of its many amenities. For hotel reservations, call (904) 285-7777 or toll free (800) 457-GOLF and mention the NMBA conference to receive the preferred lodging rate.

Sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers (featured in the program directory that becomes a useful resource for finding lenders, finance products and services) are an integral part of the conference.

For additional information regarding 2007 NMBA Marine Lending Conference, visit marinebankers.org or contact Bernice McArdle at (312) 946-6260; bmcardle@nmma.org.