For the first time in nearly a century a Union Internationale Motonautique (International Powerboat Union) foreign president made his way to APBA headquarters.
“I am very happy and proud to here at the APBA Headquarters in Detroit. I took the opportunity while I was at the [International Olympic Committee] annual convention in Quebec City,” UIM President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli said.
“I wanted to say hello to the new APBA president, Mark Wheeler, and also to the newly appointed executive director, Dan Wiener.”
Chiulli was elected as UIM president in 2007 and re-elected in October to serve through October 2015. During his time as president, Chiulli has accomplished quite a bit, but he also knows that the UIM and powerboat racing is not where it should be
In a closed door session, Wheeler, Wiener, Chiulli and UIM Secretary General Andrea Dini discussed ongoing issues facing both the UIM and APBA. They also shared ideas both organizations have toward approaching their members in a new digital age.
“The UIM connection is extremely important to the APBA. It was nice to meet President Chiulli. Communication is always important. While we communicate frequently over email, there’s really not a lot of things that replace face-to-face,” Wheeler said.
“We mostly had talks about how they would like to see APBA fit into UIM and continue the valuable role that we have had in UIM over the years. It was also interesting to hear that a lot of the UIM affiliates work closely with their Olympic committees.”
In 1908, motorboat racing was an Olympic event at the games in London. This was the first and last year that motorized events were held. The International Olympic Committee decided that the Olympics would not be the proper venue for motorized sports.
Chiulli was at the IOC’s annual meeting discussing how to make powerboat racing once again an event at the Summer Games. Chiulli’s efforts also include transforming the UIM into one of the leading motorsports governing bodies on a worldwide basis.
“I have been working hard with the United Nations Environmental Program, and we have been able to sign a corporation agreement with UNEP to further strengthen our beliefs on environment, sustainable environment and alternative energies,” Chiulli said.
“I have also been working on the development of young generations, new talents and the Youth Development Program. The program is designed to identify and develop our young racers and talents to make sure there is a proper succession plan from the youth classes to the senior categories.”
Elected to his second term, Chiulli knows that he still has a lot of work ahead of him to reclaim the prestige that powerboat racing once had.
“We don’t want to dilute the value of our brand. We’ve heard from some critical voices, getting input from both big and small countries. In order to bridge the gap we need to focus on communication and marketing,” he said. “We need to diversify the gender and people within the UIM.”
The UIM and APBA are trying just that to appeal to a new market while still catering to their roots.
“We are all headed in the same direction and have the same belief that powerboat racing is reinventing itself from a fans perspective,” Wiener said.
“We can’t forget where we came from as an organization, our history is important. Being able to sit and spend the Day with President Chiulli, we are both confident that our organizations and the sport of powerboat racing will reclaim their past success.”