> US SAILING Media > Latest News > 2011 > An Interview with 2011 NSPS Keynote Speaker Dieter Loibner
An Interview with 2011 NSPS Keynote Speaker Dieter Loibner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jake Fish
US SAILING Communications Manager
jakefish@ussailing.org
PORTMSOUTH, R.I. (January 12, 2011) - Sailing media mogul Dieter Loibner has covered b oats, sailors, events, and the history of the sport for over 20 years. Most recently, Dieter has been focused on renewable energy, clean technology and sustainable practices in boating. Dieter is the editor of Soundings magazine and the U.S. correspondent for Yacht, Europe’s largest sailing publication. He has also also worked for other outlets including a number of international publications, such as Cruising World, Sailing World, Sailing, Sea Kayaker, Trade Only, Wooden Boat (US), Classic Boat (UK), Yacht Classic (Germany), Nautique (Netherlands), Sailing NewsYacht Revue (Austria). Learn more about what Dieter had to say about his NSPS presentation.
US SAILING: Can you give us a brief synopsis of your NSPS presentation on the science behind ocean pollution? What do you want attendees to learn from your presentation?
Dieter Loibner: Every solution starts with awareness of the problem, so that's what comes first. The second step is taking interest and personal responsibility. Sailors are consumers, just like everyone else. Just because we hoist a sail does not mean we are environmental saints. But to Americans it is about freedom and choice. The freedom of choice can and should include choosing to lessen our personal impact on the environment, including oceans, lakes and rivers, which sustain our species and our sport. The only goal of my presentation is to nudge the audience toward awareness and instill courage to rethink values and choices.
US SAILING: Outside of competitive sailing, what topics in the sport are reporters becoming more interested in?
Dieter Loibner: Sailing's best hope for growth lies with opening the sport to new demographics who experience it as an inclusive, affordable and fun leisure activity. By the same token, the stories have to improve in their appeal to younger readers that are extremely comfortable with digital technology, which means taking advantage of rich media that can bring to life the attractive visuals of sailing.
US SAILING: What are you most looking forward to at NSPS?
Dieter Loibner: Talking to educators, influencers and people who work on the front lines of organizations who reach out to new participants, bring back dropouts and help people choose sailing over other activities.
US SAILING: Explain a few ways the sailing media can improve coverage in print and online mediums?
Dieter Loibner: Here are just a few thoughts -
1) Make money - find new ways to monetize your product.
2) Run a tight ship, but a good ship, focus on quality.
3) People will pay for something that has value to them. Once something is free, it's worth exactly that.
4) Pay your contributors a living wage so your site has more to offer than re-tweets.
Learn more about Dieter and the entire 2011 NSPS Keynote Speaker roster.
US SAILING's 2011 National Sailing Program Symposium, presented by LaserPerformance, is the premier event for sailing education in the United States. This year's event takes place on Jan. 26-30 at the Marriott Suites in Clearwater Beach, Fla. NSPS brings together the very best people and resources in instruction, program operation, equipment, and more. From professionals to volunteers, NSPS offers networking at its best. Each year, 250 instructors, program directors, volunteers and industry representatives gather for four days of workshops, networking and product demonstrations.
Find out how you can attend
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.