Grand Lady Cruises President invited to Passenger Vessel Association’s Annual Conference to speak about Ethan Allen tragedy

media contact:
todd salansky
716.481.0906
ts@othymes.com

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For Immediate Release
February 3, 2005

CONTACT
Todd Salansky
Media Relations, Grand Lady Cruises, Inc
ts@othymes.com
716-481-0906

Grand Lady Cruises President invited to Passenger Vessel Association’s Annual Conference to speak about Ethan Allen tragedy

Buffalo , NY – Richard A. Deegan, President of Grand Lady Cruises, Inc. and NYS Tour Boat Association was invited as keynote speaker to discuss the impact of the Ethan Allen tragedy on the passenger vessel industry. His topic “The Ethan Allen Accident: How It Could Affect You” was presented at the Passenger Vessel Association annual convention Jan 21 to 24 2006 in Seattle WA .

On October 2, the Ethan Allen capsized on Lake George , New York , resulting in an unfortunate loss of lives. Even though this was a small state-inspected vessel operating on a nonfederal waterway, numerous questions have been raised that could impact passenger vessel operators far and wide. Twenty elderly Michigan sightseers died in the accident. Twenty-seven other passengers survived, some with injuries. The accident brought the tour boat industry into the public and legislative eye.

His presentation included information on:

Establishing dialogue with regulators
Enhancing the safety of passenger vessels
Preserving the economic vitality of the companies that operate them
Overcoming the tragedy

Now in its fifth year, the PVA Conference at MariTrends 2006 offers an in-depth program for ferry operators and others who are interested in ferry operations. Over 150 attendees from the passenger vessel industry were in attendance for Mr. Deegan’s keynote address.

Rick Deegan, President of Grand Lady Cruises, Inc.

Mr. Richard A Deegan, President, Grand Lady Cruises, Inc. rick@grandlady.com
Mr. Deegan has over 30 years experience in the passenger vessel industry. He entered the industry in 1975 as general manager of Miss Buffalo and helped grow their business to include the Niagara Clipper. In 1997 he left Buffalo Charters Inc. to form Deegan Enterprises, a regional tourism services company. He provides consulting to several area attractions and performed due diligence for the formation of Grand Lady Cruises, Inc. In 1998, he founded Grand Lady Cruises, Inc. negotiating the purchase of the Grand Lady and its docking at Holiday Inn Grand Island. Since the formation of Grand Lady Cruises, Inc. Mr. Deegan has grown the business from startup to 200 cruises and 10,000 passengers per year.

Mr. Deegan lives in Colden, NY with his wife and three children.

Mr. Deegan is very active in the passenger vessel and tourism industry and an advocate for its growth. He has held the following regional travel/tourism development & past board positions:

1995 White House Conferences on Travel & Tourism- Representative for Congressman Jack Quinn
Erie County Tourism Advisory Committee
Executive Board and International Subcommittee for Tourism Development
Niagara Tourism Task Force- Member, Treasurer, Chairman, and Executive Board
Niagara County Tourism Advisory Board
Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas
Executive Board and Tourism Committee Chairman

Mr. Deegan is currently involved in the following professional associations:

Passenger Vessel Association
Small Operators Council Chairman
New York State Tour Boat Association
American Bus Association
Ontario Motor Coach Association
Niagara Frontier Tourism Task Force
Buffalo/Niagara Skal International

About Grand Lady Cruises, Inc.: Welcome Aboard The M/V Grand Lady. The Niagara Region's newest, most unique place to meet and celebrate, offering an upscale setting for all your corporate and social functions. You'll enjoy an experience second to none when you step aboard the luxurious Grand Lady, cruising along the Niagara River for dinner, lunch and other events. The magnificent view, our outstanding amenities, and the total privacy will provide the perfect backdrop to important discussions, private dinners, lively entertainment, wedding, banquet or group tours... or simply some special, unhurried time aboard and away. You'll find that our many offerings such as customized menus, routes and schedules, will help you host an event that will be unlike any other.

Treat your corporate guests, employees, family and friends to an exclusive charter on the Grand Lady... and launch your own legendary event! Visit us online at www.grandlady.com

Grand Lady Cruises Inc. | 100 Whitehaven Rd. | Grand Island, NY 14072

about online thymes:

online thymes allows small to medium sized businesses outsourced marketing functions. our firm offers innovative expertise in all aspects of marketing ranging from traditional methods such as public relations, print advertising and web development to email marketing and streaming video.

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