Boating Industry Canada February 2016 - (Page 26)

2015 NMEA ANNUAL CONFERENCE - CEO PANEL Trends, Opportunities, Lessons -and What to Avoid For the second consecutive year at the NMEA Conference & Expo, leaders of three companies that help make the marine electronics industry tick gave their take on the future of the market, new technology, challenges we face and a host of other topics. On the panel were Andy Teich, President & CEO of FLIR; Marc Jourlait, Deputy CEO of Navico Holding AS; and Phil Whitehurst, Managing Director of Active Research Ltd. (Actisense). The panel responded to questions prepared by NMEA and to queries from the audience. QUESTION 1: What impact do you think portable devices- smart phones, smart tablets and so forth-will have on the marine electronics industry? Jourlait: Some people see these devices as threatening the marine electronics space. On the contrary, I think they will help bring more people into the marine electronics industry. More iPhones and iPads in the hands of people who go out on boats is a good thing-they will educate and familiarize them with what's possible. The day they drop their iPhone over the side or leave it in the heat too long or can't read it in broad sunlight or the battery doesn't last long enough out on the water when they really need it . . . they'll realize they need a purpose- 26 Boating Industry Canada FEBRUARY 2016 built device. Portable devices will be complimentary. People will want iPhones to help them while on the boat, help to monitor it when they're at the other end. Devices will not and can not replace purpose-built marine electronics. We need to embrace them and make sure they play nicely as clients and are connected to the rest of the boat. I welcome them and say bring 'em on. They'll actually familiarize people with the benefits of electronics while sailing, racing, fishing and enjoying time out with friends. Teich: I agree with those comments. If you think about what's happening in the cell phone industry for example, with the integration of high quality visible cameras into smart phones, this largely eliminated the middle segment of the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera market. With that said, however, you don't see wedding photographers using iPhones to perform their service. This underscores the fact that there are still needs for purpose-built products in the market. In the marine market, purpose-built products are absolutely mandatory due to the rigors of the environment we operate in. That requirement isn't going to go away. I echo Marc's comments that portable devices need to become part of the network, acting as a well-integrated client on the network, whether it's trip planning or using it after the

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boating Industry Canada February 2016

INSIGHT
INDUSTRY NEWS
IMPACT - AL DONALDSON: After 16 years heading up the largest boating association in Canada, Al Donaldson reflects on Boating Ontario’s accomplishments and challenges as he passes on the torch. – by Andy Adams
FEATURE – JANET BAUER: Boating Ontario’s New CEO
AD NAUSEAM
FEATURE – VOLVO RE-POWER: Step through the advantages your customers may not be aware of to re-powering their vessel, with Jon Moles of Toronto Yacht Services. – by Andy Adams
ABYC – NEW H-31-TESTING SEAT STRUCTURES: Making boating safe through scientific testing. - By Brian Goodwin
NMEA – 2015 NMEA ANNUAL CONFERENCE: CEO Panel shares ideas and insights for the future of marine electronics sales. Supplied by the NMEA.

Boating Industry Canada February 2016