The Chesapeake Marine Canvas Fabricators Association, Inc. is an organization of Fabricators that design and manufacture fabric and upholstery products for the marine industry, as well as the Suppliers who support them. Each year the Association holds the largest Marine Fabrication convention in the Mid-Atlantic. With over 60 member shops, the CMCFA is the 2nd largest marine fabricator group in the country!
We have put together an incredible agenda of learning opportunities this year that will be held in Cambridge, MD February 15-17, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay with more seminars, networking opportunities, and our annual Awards Banquet.
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Planned Seminars:
• Aft covers to sunshades with Mike Charlton. Fabricating Palm Beach aft covers that convert to sunshades
• Perfect Cushions with Bill Marriott. Getting your cushions perfect, from basic box to complex knee-lift with inside curves, and finishing with gimp and welting
• Small Boat Project: We are going to have a small boat on site to demonstrate multiple projects and how to make a profit from them.
– Using the EZ Frame Plus software to bend a bimini frame.
– Bending and crowning a bimini frame
– Patterning a bimini top with fabric, plastic/paper and digitally
– Patterning seat covers, helm cover, engine covers.
– Material selections
– Patterning and installing flooring.
• Going Digital Year 2: Lessons learned and updates from our digital transition process with Zack Baccala and Adam Penner. Demonstrations of tools and processes that have been implemented to improve efficiency and profitability
• New this year: Panel Discussion – instead of doing Round Tables, we are going to have an open discussion with a panel of experts. This will give everyone the opportunity to ask questions and hear answers from a group of experts in the field.
• Stress Management: Dealing with the stresses that come from owning and running a small business.
Please remember your pictures for the Photo Contest! You can enter a project in each of the categories. Click here to download the submission form ahead of time. Winners will be announced and receive their plaques at the Awards Banquet Friday night.
Our Thursday night theme this year is The Big Game! With the NFL season ending just a few days before the Conference, it makes for a great opportunity to have fun and win some great prizes. So, wear your favorite jersey or team clothes and prepare to participate in fun and games. (Yankees gear will automatically result in a point deduction during the games)
Our Annual Meeting will be held Friday morning and we hope that everyone can attend. We have some ideas to help bring some much-needed changes to the organization, but since they are linked to the bi-laws, we must hold a vote on them. Additionally, we will elect a new board member and some fabricator and supplier directors. More information about these potential changes will be distributed in the welcome packets when you sign in at the Registration Desk.
This is also a Holiday Weekend for many folks so we worked with the Hyatt again to offer an extra night after the conference at the same price. Since we have a packed agenda for the conference, feel free to stay another night so you can relax and check out the local area. There are parks, shops and tons of great restaurants near the hotel. The Hyatt has a spa, a huge indoor pool, and an arcade, so there are a ton of things you can also do without leaving the property. So don’t forget your bathing suit and treat yourself to an extra night! Since Wednesday is Valentine’s Day, the Water’s Edge Grill at the Hyatt will be open and running a special Valentine’s Day menu. This is not included in the conference registration but is still a wonderful opportunity to have a nice meal on Valentine’s Day. Make your reservations ahead of time by calling 410-901-6440 or go to https://www.exploretock.com/watersedgegrill
Saturday morning will be our Market Day with numerous vendors ready to meet with you and discuss new products and hand out sample books and cards.
The CMCFA is partnering again with Glen Raven to have the conference act as a drop-off place for the Recycle My Sunbrella program! Bring your scrap and old Sunbrella fabric to the conference to be recycled! Shops that drop off fabric will be entered into a raffle for an awesome prize from Sunbrella! Find more information about the program here.
Transportation Options: Parking is provided at no cost at the Hyatt. Valet parking is available for an additional cost. If you are flying in to attend the CMCFA Convention, there are four airport options, each has Rental Car companies
- Baltimore-Washington International Airport: 78.6 mi / 1 hr 24 mins – this is the closest major airport with rental cars and shuttle services
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: 90.4 mi / 1 hr 38 mins
- Dulles International Airport: 117 mi / 2 hr 2 min
- Salisbury-Wicomico Airport: 39.2 mi / 44 min
Shuttle Options: Bay Runner Shuttle company runs from BWI to the Hyatt in Cambridge. You can book your shuttle on their website here: https://bayrunnershuttle.com/locations/bwi-airport/
NOTE: To Renew your membership without signing up for the conference, use the Manage Listing function under the Membership button at the top of the page.