The Cruising Association unveils plans for a Promo Week

Nick Mines is one of two webinar presenters during Promo Week. His talk, 'Too much Med', covers his single-handed non-stop 1,100 mile passage from Nice to Venice. Bob Garrett will also present a webinar on 'Considerations for Crossing the Channel' © The Cruising Association

The Cruising Association unveils plans for a Promo Week © The Cruising Association

In the absence of the Southampton Boat Show being staged in its usual format this September, the Cruising Association (CA), the UK's leading organisation representing over 6,300 sail and motor cruising members in 43 countries, has taken the decision not to exhibit but will instead host its own online CA Promo Week from 11-20 September.

The CA would usually welcome over 500 members to its Boat Show stand and instead is introducing a range of new website-based initiatives whilst also promoting the benefits of the CA to potential new members who would usually join up at the Boat Show.

Lucy Gray, General Manager of the CA, says, "We have some terrific discounts lined up for Promo Week, plus cruising webinars, prize draws and access to the CA's specialist cruising know-how via videos and podcasts. So, we're encouraging anyone interested in cruising in small boats - be it under sail or power - to come on board the CA website in the absence of welcoming you to our usual Boat Show stand."

One-stop online cruising resource

A number of online resources are being rolled out to coincide with CA Promo Week. These have been 'purpose-built' to give members and non-members even more opportunities to benefit from the support of the CA online and to incentivise members when they refer friends to join the CA.

In the absence of any physical events currently taking place at CA House and at Section events, boat shows etc, the CA website will be providing the opportunity for live interaction with the CA team.

From 1st September anyone can book a ONE-TO-ONE Zoom call with a member of the CA team and ask questions, enjoy a tour of the website or a demo of the CAptain's Mate app. The CA is also introducing LIVE CHAT to encourage more direct communication from new site visitors.

Those visiting the site can watch excerpts of videos (members already have full access), enter Prize Draws and effectively make the CA website their one-stop cruising information resource.

A major attraction of Promo Week will be the 25% discount off the first year's full membership when paying by Direct Debit - and there's no joining fee! theca.org.uk/join. Just enter the Discount Code: SBSPW20.

There will also be discounts on the range of CA burgees, on Navionics and Garmin chart products and on the popular Cruising Almanac. The CA also usually sells piles of the latest edition at the Boat Show and, in association with the publishers Imray, they are launching a special Promo Week deal for members and non-members.

Another attractive incentive scheme is 'Refer a Friend' where members can recommend a friend to join the CA at any time and receive £20 to spend in the CA shop. Their friend will also receive a 25% discount on their first year's membership when paying by Direct Debit. During September, members who refer a friend will be in with a chance to win a ResQLink™ 400 Buoyant Personal Locator Beacon.

Visitors to the Boat Show always love a Prize Draw and, moving to 100% online entry during Promo Week, is the free-to-enter CA Prize Draw for a set of Gill's popular OS2 sailing gear. The winner will be drawn on Sunday 20 September and announced on the Monday. The CA also plans to use Promo Week to announce the winner of its high value Big Draw Prize in association with First Class Sailing and will launch its next Big Prize Draw with Jeckells the Sailmakers.

For more information about the Cruising Association, visit www.theca.org.uk