The 2009 International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) was held at Summerside, Prince Edward Island in Canada. Several SAM members made the annual trek to what is the largest meeting of snowmobile enthusiasts, leaders and industry leaders in the universe. Everything from world economics and its impact on snowmobiles to international safety campaigns are discussed. This isn’t a trade show, it’s more of a meeting of the minds, where national and international policy is put forward by people like you and me… it’s an opportunity to share ideas with our peers throughout the world. It’s simply amazing to learn how an association in Canada overcame an issue that a small association in the Western U.S. has been struggling with. Throw Sweden and Russia into the mix and the exchange gets even more interesting. To put the whole event into perspective, none other than the Prime Minister of Canada took time to visit with us! Think about that for a minute: The “President” of Canada made a special trip to meet with volunteers in the world of snowmobiling. That’s how important snowmobiling is to Canada!

Hot topics at ISC included the budget crunch, something that all clubs and associations know well. In particular, that of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) www.snowmobilers.org, who debated how they could continue to deliver services and programs to state associations while dealing with limited funding. ACSA is the national association that state snowmobile associations, like SAM, belong to. A national “Zero Alcohol” public campaign has been given the green light, pending some last minute modifications. The funding came from the Federal Highway Administration and was developed by the International Association of Snowmobile Administrators (IASA) www.snowiasa.org. The IASA is a volunteer group of snowmobile law enforcement and trail managers who specialize in safety, rules and regulation.

The ACSA board, discussed the future of the Recreational Trails Program and how funding may be cut or even eliminated! The program has been instrumental in funding many SAM club projects and is very important to us, so we need to keep an eye on this one. ACSA is developing a “White Paper” that will aid grassroots snowmobilers in working with local and state governments and agencies. Once complete, a copy will be distributed to all SAM clubs. Additional subject matter ran the gamut, from Yellowstone snowmobile access to the ever-increasing clean air technology that has improved the emissions of our sleds.

The biggest announcement, in the eyes of many SAM members, was that the 2012 International Snowmobile Congress will be held right here in Massachusetts! Read Rena Sumner’s “The Executive’s Perspective” for detailed information about that prestigious honor and mark the date on your calendar now. See you at the New England PowerSports Expo, October 17 & 18.

Dan Gould
President