Black Boaters Summit 2008.

With ten successful Summits in the books, Captain Paul Mixon, a Richmond California event planner and creator of Black Boaters Summit, is headed back to the BVI once again August 1-10, 2008. " It's been a labor of love", laments Cap'n Paul as he is known to his participants. I just can't seem to get to that fifty boat flotilla needed to make this hobby a business.

"Introducing African Americans to sailing, a long time a minority in the sport, has been a real challenge. But I thought since the industry is 'missing the boat' , not targeting African Americans, why don't I give it a try", Cap'n Paul continues.

Black Boaters Summit tested the waters ten years ago after Sun Yacht Charters, now SunSail asked Cap'n Paul if he would help them sell chartering to African Americans. "We sailed with ten boats back in 1997. Not a bad start. Our best year was 2006 when 280 participants sailed on 24 yachts"

For the past ten years Black Boaters Summit has targeted the forty two billion dollar annual African American travel market as its niche. This year Cap'n Paul has plans to sell his event to US Yacht Clubs and Sailing schools. "We have created the best adventure vacation in the world. BBS is more a party than a sailing vacation. Our non boating non swimmers tell us they love the event. But getting folks to come and give us a try has been the root canal of all sales;" tells Cap'n Paul. "Thank God for our loyal returning clients, we could not produce the event without them."

Both Captain Paul and Captain Pinkney were very surprised one day last July when both men received a call from National Geographic saying that Cap'n Paul and Captain Bill Pinkney, the first African American to sail about the world solo, had been chosen to be one of three Life Dreams stories that would be featured in the December 2007 issue of National Geographic Magazine. A film team went to the homes of both sailors to interview them. Then followed the pair down to the BVI for a four day shoot during the 10th Annual Black Boaters Summit August of last year.

"National Geographic and Ameriprise Financial paid us a great honor", says Cap'n Paul. "They did an excellent job of telling our story."

To find out more about Black Boaters Summit go to:

BBS VIDEO ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC (five webisodes)
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lifedreams/mixon_pinkney/webisode1_1.html

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIFE DREAMS PROFILE
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lifedreams/mixon_pinkney/profile.html

BLACK BOATERS SUMMIT 2008 ITINERARY
http://www.blackboaterssummit.com

PHOTOS
http://www.honeyletstravel.com/Photos.html

For more Info on BBS 2008 contact:
Captain Paul Mixon
http://www.honeyletstravel.com
pmixon@honeyletstravel.com
(510) 222-6308