ALCOAST 275/19 - AUG 2019 COMBINED RTCM ANNUAL ASSEMBLY AND NMEA CONFERENCE - ATTENDANCE REQUEST

R 271110 AUG 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-6//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N02000//
ALCOAST 275/19
COMDTNOTE 2000
SUBJ: COMBINED RTCM ANNUAL ASSEMBLY AND NMEA CONFERENCE - ATTENDANCE REQUEST
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 150803 APR 19/ALCOAST 121/19
B. Coast Guard Conference Guidance, v1.3 dtd 25 Mar 2019
C. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8 (series)
1. The Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) Annual Assembly and
the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) will host a combined Annual Assembly,
Conference, and Exposition at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel
Conference Center in Portsmouth, Virginia on September 16-20, 2019. The combined RTCM
Annual Assembly and NMEA Conference and Expo is the largest industry trade event
focusing strictly on marine electronic systems. By combining the events, attendees will
have an opportunity to participate in technical, regulatory-focused and educational
sessions offered by both organizations, as well as an exposition of marine electronics
products and services. Coast Guard personnel are welcome to register and attend to learn
the latest information about maritime communications, radionavigation, standards
development activities, and associated topics. NMEA will also conduct various Marine
Electronics Installer Training courses throughout the week. Information and registration
details for the Annual Assembly, Conference, Exposition, and Training opportunities is
available at: http://www.expo.nmea.org/. Included will be tours of a Fast Response
Cutter (FRC), Response Boat – Medium (RB-M), and Special Purpose Craft – Training
Boat (SPC-TB).
    a. RTCM is a 501(c)(3) international non-profit scientific, professional and
educational organization. RTCM members are organizations that are both government and
non-government. Although started in 1947 as a U.S. Government advisory committee, RTCM
is now an independent international organization.
    b. NMEA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to enhancing the technology
and safety of electronics used in marine applications. NMEA develops digital interface
standards, conducts marine electronics installation interface training, and serves as an
interface to marine electronics professionals.
2. The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Task Force will hold its
quarterly meeting during this conference. The USCG, with the support of other government
maritime organizations, chartered the GMDSS Task Force in 1993 to assist the private
sector in implementing the International Maritime Organization (IMO) directed GMDSS.
In 2005, the USCG passed direct sponsorship of the Task Force to RTCM.
3. IAW REF (A) and paragraph VI.3 of REF (B), members whose duty station is local to the
venue and whose attendance cost is $1,000 or less are exempt from the requirement to
submit a Conference Attendance Request form. Aside from any conference or course fees,
personnel that fall into this category must not incur any TDY expenses (i.e., transportation,
M&IE, or lodging).
4. RTCM and NMEA are offering no-cost access to the Combined Products Expo portion of the
conference, on Wednesday, 18 September, between 1330-1830. Subject to command approval,
attendance is permitted for local participants at no cost to the Government. Supervisors
should encourage attendance for employees whose primary duties or career goals may benefit.
Civilian employees who wish to attend for personal interests only (i.e., does not benefit
them in their primary duties or career goals), may use annual leave, accrued compensatory
time off, earned credit hours (if available), or leave without pay. As noted in paragraph 3
above, personnel that attend the no-cost Expo and do not incur any TDY expenses are not
required to submit a Coast Guard Conference Attendance Request form. IAW REF (C), commands
outside the Tidewater Virginia area may submit no-cost permissive orders for military
members who attend the no-cost Combined Products Expo. As noted, personnel that attend the
no-cost Expo and do not incur any TDY expenses are not required to submit a Coast Guard
Conference Attendance Request form.
    a. Free attendance at the Combined Products Expo portion of the conference for all
Coast Guard personnel has been offered by RTCM/NMEA and to all employees of all Member
organizations. The free attendance value has been accepted as a gift to the Coast Guard
following ethics review and may be accepted by all Coast Guard personnel without
additional ethics clearance at the field level, but subject to attendance approval by the
Chain of Command.
    b. Personnel that plan to attend the No-Cost Combined Products Expo shall pre-register
using the NMEA-RTCM Registration Form, selecting the Member Rate (FREE) for the ‘Wednesday
Exhibits & Reception Only 1:30pm-6:30pm’ session.
5. IAW REFs (A) and (B), those that will incur costs exceeding $1,000 and those that will
be TDY are required to submit a Conference Attendance Request.
6. Uniform is Tropical Blue for military attendees and business casual for civilian
employees.
7. POC: LT Nicholas Bartolozzi at 202-475-3596 or Nicholas.R.Bartolozzi@uscg.mil.
8. RADM David M. Dermanelian, Assistant Commandant for C4IT, sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.