MBNMS Business and Tourism Activity Panel (BTAP)

The Business and Tourism Activity Panel was originally created in September of 1995 as an unofficial working group acting in an advisory capacity to the MBNMS Advisory Council. Now known as the "BTAP," this working group was officially recognized by the Advisory Council in 2001. It is currently chaired by Mr. Michael Bekker, Advisory Council Tourism primary representative. Mr. Bekker is the V.P. Property Management for the Cannery Row Company. Current membership includes contacts from local businesses, harbors and chambers of commerce.

The BTAP meets six times per year, and in an effort to expand membership, the location is rotated between Santa Cruz, Moss Landing and Monterey. BTAP members are involved with giving input on policy-related matters such as the Joint Management Plan Review process, and advising the Sanctuary Superintendent on issues affecting local businesses.

The goals of the Business and Tourism Activity Panel are outlined as follows:

1. To provide a recognized mechanism for communicating Business and Tourism interests to the Sanctuary Advisory Council and the Sanctuary Superintendent;
2. To help the Business and Tourism industries build cooperative partnership programs with the MBNMS.

Previous meeting minutes and agendas produced by the BTAP and MBNMS staff are available upon request.

Please know that there is a MBNMS BTAP Interests listserv available now. Interested folks can subscribe directly to that listserv. To subscribe, please visit the web page.

BTAP Members

For more information, please contact:

Deirdre Whalen
Government and Community Relations Coordinator
99 Pacific Street, Bldg. 455A
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 647-4207
Fax: (831) 647-4250
E-Mail: deirdre.whalen@noaa.gov