WorkBoat Environmental Awards Open Nominations to Honor Innovative Maritime Businesses and Government Agencies; Application Deadline is September 14, 2009, Awards during International WorkBoat Show

    NEW ORLEANS, LA, August 01, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Businesses and government agencies operating in the United States maritime industry are invited to participate in the Second Annual WorkBoat Environmental Awards, which annually recognize outstanding innovation, leadership and commitment in environmental stewardship.

The 2009 awards will be presented during the 30th International WorkBoat Show, North America's largest maritime trade show and conference, which will be held at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, from December 2 through December 4. The awards are presented by WorkBoat magazine and sponsored by Interstate-McBee.

"Leading U.S. maritime businesses and government agencies are demonstrating an incredible variety of innovative environmental practices," commented Bruce Buls, WorkBoat magazine technical editor and one of the award judges. "These sustainability practices yield bottom-line results and tremendous overall benefits to our communities."

The application deadline for the 2009 awards is Monday, September 14. Details and the application are available at www.workboatshow.com/award.

RiverQuest, a Pittsburgh-based operator of the M/V Explorer, was named the winner of the 2008 WorkBoat Environmental Award, with the Port of Seattle, Crowley Maritime Services and Yankee Roamer, a passenger vessel operator from Key West, Florida, garnering honorable mention awards.

In 2009, awards will be presented in two categories:

Comprehensive Environmental Management Plan - designed to showcase a wide-ranging, all inclusive environmental program that goes well beyond State and Federal mandates.

Outstanding Environmental Initiative - designed to showcase a specific project.

One winner and honorable mentions will be awarded in each category.

To be eligible for the awards, businesses and government agencies must be operating in the U.S. maritime market. A committee comprised of industry, environmental, regulatory and media representatives will review applications and select the award recipients based on the following criteria:

1) Successful efforts to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into maritime/industrial operations;

2) Innovation, leadership and/or commitment towards environmental stewardship; and,

3) Company is in compliance with local, state and federal environmental regulations and requirements.

The judges noted that the WorkBoat Environmental Award is for initiatives that are over and above regulatory compliance.

All applications, supporting material and payments must be received by Monday, September 14, 2009. Send applications & payment to: Diversified Communications, Attn: WorkBoat Environmental Award, c/o Lisa Keller, 121 Free Street, PO Box 7437, Portland, ME 04112-7437. Applications may also be submitted by email to Lisa Keller at [email protected].

Finalists will be announced on November 9 on workboat.com, workboatshow.com and in press releases. The awards will be presented during the 4th Annual Shipyard Day on Wednesday, December 2, at the Morial Center. Award recipients will receive a plaque, recognition in the January issue of WorkBoat magazine, the WorkBoat Show Daily, and publicity on the event and magazine websites, newsletter, and press releases. Case studies from all nominated businesses or government agencies will be included in the awards program at the ceremony.

For further information, please contact: Lisa Keller, IWBS, 207-842-5624, [email protected]

The International WorkBoat Show is North America's largest maritime trade show and conference. For 30 years, the WorkBoat Show has proven to be the premier marketplace for businesses working on the coastal, inland and offshore waters. To attend the show, pre-register online at www.workboatshow.com/register or call 800-454-3007. Pre-registration for the exhibit hall is free, onsite price is $50. To exhibit call Chris Dimmerling at 207-842-5666.

The International WorkBoat show is produced by Diversified Business Communications.

Information Links:
The International WorkBoat Show website: www.workboatshow.com

WorkBoat Environmental Award contact: Denielle Christensen, Diversified Business
Communications, [email protected]

Online Registration: www.workboatshow.com/register

Travel Information: http://www.workboatshow.com/travelinformation

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