During the Newport International Boat Show, Hodgdon will announce the opening of a sales and marketing office in Newport, Rhode Island. The announcement along with updates on other Hodgdon projects will take place at a reception for the press at the Hodgdon Yacht Services exhibit Friday, September 12, at 5 p.m. at Tent G 37.

The new office will serve primarily to promote Hodgdon boatyard and shipyard refit and maintenance services now under the banner of Hodgdon Yacht Services with facilities in Southport, Boothbay Harbor and East Boothbay. The Newport office will complement Hodgdon's locations in the Boothbay region and its new office in Monaco.

Hodgdon Yacht Services was launched in the second quarter of this year under the leadership of Sandy Spaulding, president, to organize all Hodgdon service activities with the acquisition of the former Boothbay Region Boatyard in Southport, the Wotton's Wharf dockage facility in Boothbay Harbor, and existing superyacht refit activities at the East Boothbay shipyard.

Eric Leslie has been hired to staff the Newport office. Eric is a well-known and well regarded member of the yachting community in the greater Newport area. Eric will also help promote other Hodgdon initiatives including superyacht interiors, superyacht tenders and new yacht construction.

The press reception will also highlight news on other Hodgdon projects such as the upcoming launch of the 100-foot pre-preg racing sailboat Comanche, the refit of 118-foot Noelani, the build of a 65-foot Dave Pedrick designed cold molded sailboat Piera and the superyacht tenders under construction.