Southeastern New England
America's Boating Club Southeastern New England, District 34
Spring Conference and Change of Watch
New Bedford Fairfield Inn and Suites
3/27 — 3/29 2026
America's Boating Club - Southeastern New England will hold their annual Spring Conference and Change of Watch in historic New Bedford during the weekend of 27-29 March. The conference will be an all-day event on Saturday including morning and afternoon sessions, election of SNE District 34 Bridge officers, a Change of Watch and of course lunch. The agenda details will be posted when available. All members are encouraged to attend, not just squadron and district officers.
As has been the custom for many years, conference attendees are welcomed to book a room on Thursday or Friday night and arrive before 6pm to participate in a sightseeing and social hour at the hotel before going out to a local restaurant for a group dinner. Some members may also choose to stay Saturday night to enjoy our camaraderie during social hour at the hotel after the conference concludes. It will be followed by a Saturday night group dinner.
For those wishing to take some time to enjoy New Bedford, the Whaling Museum and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and Visitor Center are within walking distance.
Quick Links:
Meals and Activities
Friday daytime
Sightseeing
Friday Night
Social/Cocktail
Hour at hotel - 4:30 PM
Dinner
Group Dinner at Merrill's on the Waterfront, pay on your own, 6:00 PM
Saturday daytime:
Registration is required. Dress:
Casual
$49 ($89 per couple) registration fee includes Morning coffee/pastries and
buffet lunch
Presentations: A full day is planned. Agenda TBA. Schedule includes :
- Emmy award-winning storyteller and ocean explorer Richard Vevers will present An Ocean (RE)Introduction. Vevers serves as director of Room 71 at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. In that role, he works to flip beliefs about the ocean and accelerate ocean science solutions to global issues. His work has been featured in more than 10,000 media articles and numerous books and documentaries, resulting in over $200 million in funding for ocean science and conservation.
- Adventures Aboard Celestial P/D/C Barbara Herrmann will present the 10 week roundtrip cruise that she and husband Tom Gonsiorowski took from Jamestown R.I. to Nova Scotia aboard their Tartan 3700. Historic Halifax, bustling Lunenberg, and quiet coves in Cape Breton; multiple crew swaps and close whale encounters; seeing the Bluenose under sail, wearing long underwear in July and enjoying fiddle and piano music at Scottish themed gatherings at night….it was as memorable as it was beautiful.
- A year ago the state passed a law requiring boater education. How is it working? This has generated much discussion about how this affects our education efforts and those of us who were certified years (or decades) ago. The Mass. Env. Police, by their own admission, have not yet been able to clarify all issues. NASBLA Boating Law Administrator Captain Erik Tynan will join us offer as current guidance.
- Council Meeting & Elections: Join us for the election of SNE District 34 Bridge officers.
- Change of Watch Ceremony
Saturday Evening:
Social/Cocktail
Hour at hotel
Dinner
Group Dinner at our favorite restaurant, pay on your own
Sunday:
Breakfast at the Hotel & Sightseeing
Conference Hotel
The Conference Hotel is the New Bedford Fairfield Inn and Suites
Use the link to book your group rate for America's Boating Club March 2026 Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, New Bedford or use of the Hotel's Main Number (774) 634-2000 as the alternative to using the link. Starting date Thursday, March 26, 2026 to ending date Monday, March 30, 2026, the Hotel offering our special group rate 139.00 USD per night. Last Day to Book: Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Cancellation Policy: Reservations must be cancelled two days (2 days), prior to the arrival date, in order to avoid a one (1) room night, plus tax cancellation fee.
The hotel is a 4-star Marriott, offering complimentary continental breakfast, internet & self-parking. A variety of amenities are also included (an indoor pool, fitness center, outdoor fire pit etc.). The hotel is centrally located downtown, across from New Bedford Harbor. Within walking distance of the hotel there is plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment to enjoy while attending the Conference.