Great Lakes Grand Banks Association (GLGBA) Events

GLGBA'’s major event is the annual rendezvous, held at a Great Lakes port. Each rendezvous attracts 25 to 30 boats of all sizes plus 6 or 8 crews who, for reasons of distance or scheduling, decide to attend via “land yacht”. Our rendezvous is a 3-day event convening on Thursday and ending Sunday morning. Programs typically include seminars on technical, historical and culinary subjects, plus tours of local landmarks, boat visits and ample opportunity for social interaction.

Rendezvous sites are chosen well in advance by the Board, on a rotating basis to accommodate the geographic distribution of our membership. As noted below, the first several events were held in the same location while the fledgling organization was learning the ropes. Now, sites are selected based upon a comprehensive survey conducted by Board members.

Thus far, we have gathered in the following Great Lakes ports:

1996 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
1997 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
1998 - Frankfort, Michigan
1999 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
2000 - Mackinac City, Michigan
2001 - Bay Harbor, Michigan
2002 - Sioux Ste Marie, Ontario

2003 - Manitowoc, Wisconsin
2004 - St. Ignace, Michigan
2005 - Frankfort, Michigan
2006 - Rogers City, Michigan
2007 - Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
2008 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
2009 - St. Ignace, Michigan

2010 RENDEZVOUS

Our 2010 Rendezvous is shaping up to be a great time in beautiful downtown Sturgeon Bay, July 29-31.
The Center Pointe Marina is hosting a Thursday night welcome party around the pool and at the barbeque. Walstrom's Marine, the new Grand Banks Agents for the Great Lakes, will be in attendance. So will artist Mark McMahon and his wife Carolyn, as guests of the Cahill's. Mark is a renowned Chicago artist, and will be drawing and painting scenes of our rendezvous. We'll raffle off the painting on Saturday night.
Friday morning it's breakfast at the Center Pointe Marina followed by speaker Ben Miller, marine surveyor. So bring your questions. Lunch is open, with many fine restaurants within easy walking distance of the marina. This happens to be the same weekend as the annual sidewalk sale.
After lunch, it's a tour of Palmer Johnsons, where we'll see boats in various stages of construction. Later, we'll trolley to the Door County Maritime Museum for a tour, cocktails and dinner, featuring a silent auction of local artists benefiting the museum and a local food bank.
Saturday morning will be a time for women's issues and workshop, bragging time for the men. You can choose to attend either session. Breakfast will be served earlier at the marina clubhouse. The afternoon allows time for our annual meeting and board meeting. Dinner will be held at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club.
You are urged to make reservations early if driving, or if you are planning to visit any of the other Door County marinas along the way. They fill up fast.
You can access registration forms and other information which will help you get into the swing of things as the 2010 Rendezvous approaches.

If you have questions about this event, feel free to contact one of our officers. And, be sure and visit our Photo Gallery for some great shots from past Rendezvous!