AMERICAN SAIL TRAINING ASSOCIATION

THE TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE SERIES OF INTERNATIONAL SAILING RACES, CRUISES, AND MARITIME FESTIVALS IS ORGANIZED BY THE AMERICAN SAIL TRAINING ASSOCIATION (ASTA) IN COOPERATION WITH GREAT LAKES, ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC COAST PORT CITIES IN THE US AND CANADA. THESE TALL SHIPS ARE CREWED BY YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS ENGAGED IN SAIL TRAINING PROGRAMS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF CAPTAINS & PROFESSIONAL CREW MEMBERS. MARITIME FESTIVALS IN EACH HOST PORT GIVE VISITORS A CHANE TO BOARD THE VESSELS, MEET THE CREW AND TRAINEES, AND EXPERIENCE THE RICH MARITIME HERITAGE THAT THESE SHIPS REPRESENT. DURING THE SUMMER, THE FLEET TRAVELS FROM PORT TO PORT AS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE HOST CITIES MARITIME FESTIVALS. BETWEEN PORT EVENTS, ASTA ORGANIZES RACES, CRUISES IN COMPANY, AND CREW EXCHANGES TO PROVIDE FUN AND FRIENDLY INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE VESSELS, ENCOURAGING

CONFERENCES & FORUMS - ASTAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON SAIL TRAINING AND TALL SHIPS GATHERS SHIPS MASTERS AND CREWMEMBERS, PORT REPRESENTATIVES AND FESTIVAL MANAGERS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS, MARINE SUPPLIERS, NAVAL ARCHITECTS, PRESERVATIONISTS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS AND EDUCATORS FOR AN INSPRATIONAL AND INFORMATONAL 3-DAY CONFERENCE. TOPICS CONCERNING VESSELS OPERATIONS, REGULATORY ISSUES, MANAGEMENT, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, AND SAFETY AT SEA ARE ADDRESSED EACH YEAR, AS ARE SESSIONS ON MEDIA RELATIONS, MARKETING, FUNDING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND PORT EVENT ORGANIZATIONS. NORMALLY HELD ANNUALLY DURING NOVEMBER, THE ASTA CONFERENCE IS BOTH FUN AND INFORMATIVE AND OFFERS OCEANS OF NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.