For Immediate Release February 22, 2010 While Boating and Las Vegas are in the News, the Marina Recreation Association Boldly Selects Las Vegas Carnival will come early for attendees of this year's 39th Annual MRA Educational Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas. MRA president Jim Hayes announced today that the association has booked the Rio Casino and Resort for its conference November 2-4, 2010. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman expressed his enthusiasm for having the conference in his city.   "Las Vegas is the destination for conferences and meetings and I'm happy to welcome the Marina Recreation Association, the premiere organization representing the boating industry in the Western United States," Mayor Goodman said. "Las Vegas has the best hotels, entertainment, restaurants, shopping and gaming. Las Vegas is a great place to conduct serious business and then have a lot of fun when you are done with work." "We agree with Mayor Goodman," said Hayes. "Las Vegas is a great place to work and play. We look forward to building on the momentum of last year's conference when we meet in the great city of Las Vegas." Last year's conference was notable for the determination and solidarity of the membership. "Marina operators and MRA members from allied industries were united in their commitment to preserve the future of the marina and boating industry," said Randy Short of Almar Management. Short spoke on the proposed California marina permit regulation, an issue that stirred passionate reaction from marina operators. "After our remarkable conference last November in Lake Tahoe," said Hayes, "we are really looking forward to building on the energy of our membership this year in Las Vegas. We encourage all marina operators and marine trade exhibitors to meet us in Las Vegas. The issues have national importance. What happens in California, doesn't just stay in California." The MRA is offering special programs for new members. "The first eighteen new marina members to join the MRA will get a free ticket to the conference if they have never attended before," said Mariann Timms, MRA's Operations Administrator. "And we are enlarging the number of booth spaces for our trade show from last year. Each exhibit will get a certificate good for admission to the conference. The certificate is valid for a marina owner or operator who has never been to our conference. Exhibitors will be able to invite a marina attendee come to Las Vegas and experience the educational and professional networking benefits of the conference. For additional information, contact Mariann Timms at (209) 334-0661 or email questions to timms@marina.org.