The ‘Future of Sailing’ webinar series address current trends affecting boating and watersports. Aimed at clubs, class associations and anyone who has an interest in the future of sailing, the thought-provoking sessions feature key findings from the Futures Project, commissioned by British Marine.
Topics have ranged from pay on demand boating and modern communications to the diversification of club activity, and aim to provide support and guidance for clubs and the wider industry.
Hosted by respected voices in the sailing community, including journalists Matthew Sheahan and Andy Rice, each webinar features short presentations from industry experts and Q&A sessions with clubs already implementing strategies to address the changing demands.
1. The Future of Dinghy Sailing
The first webinar in the series explores some of the topics initially covered by Liz Rushall and Mark Jardine in their respective talks at the 2018 RYA Dinghy Show.
2. Pay on Demand
Trends indicate younger generations moving away from ‘ownership’ and towards ‘experiences’. This creates challenges for traditional sailing club model which typically revolves around membership and owning equipment (e.g. boats). A number of clubs (and commercial organisations) are already experimenting with new forms of accessing sailing and ‘pay on demand’ boating, with varying success - Matt Sheahan finds out more.
3. Alternative Activity
Hosted by Andy Rice, the next webinar in the series focuses on alternative club activity; be it introducing other watersports, mixing up the traditional racing formats or introducing non-competitive activity such as cruises and ‘fun’ training days.
4. Effective marketing and communications
Matt Sheahan speaks with clubs that have successfully used marketing and communications to boost activity and membership. Whether it’s the use of traditional forms of marketing (leaflet drops, events or open days) or better use of social media, web presence or the use of apps to co-ordinate beginner and other sailing activity.
5. The Future of Dinghy Sailing - Volunteering
This time we broach a reoccurring challenge and issue for clubs, particularly with
regards to supporting membership growth - not enough volunteers!
Our insight suggests 52% of RYA Affiliated clubs report lack of volunteers as
being a primary challenge to their growth and many clubs are reporting a small
number of volunteers are doing the bulk of the work. We’ve undertaken an
extensive research project to find out why and what we can do about it so hear the findings of the research and also some experiences
of clubs who have managed to successfully increase the number of volunteers.
6. Club Member Satisfaction
The final webinar in this series shares the findings of research which aims to increase the 'satisfaction' of sailing club members and reduce membership 'churn' (the percentage of membership that leaves every year).
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