As I sit here writing this report I am “enjoying” snowy subzero (wind chill) weather with more snow on the way. Certainly, a far cry from the tropical climes of Florida. Nevertheless, I am persevering and so I thought this would be a good time to write up a postscript to our recent conference.
Our conference started with a Monday afternoon Meet & Greet/Reception at the Vero Beach Heritage Center located in downtown Vero Beach. The event was catered by Wild Tyme Catering of Vero Beach. Present were several authors who had books for sale. Included in this group were Allen Balogh, Terry Armstrong, P.G. Muckenhaupt, Rob Westrick, Tammy Gross, Noel Wells, and Alex Kuze. Booksellers Alan Workman and Dave Crooks had many vintage and hard-to-find books for sale. Steve Hodges of West Bay Trading was our resident expert as he reviewed artifacts and coins brought in by locals seeking a professional opinion on what they had. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) had a table that was staffed by Director of Marketing, Heather Boyd and Josh Scott, (who also is a Fleet Society member). I would estimate that about 60 to 70 people attended the reception. Fleet Society members Jim Wilson (also our Regional Director), Roberta Murray, and Michael Murray assisted in preparing the room for the event as well as cleaning up after the event was over.
Tuesday was Day 1 of the Conference which was held at the beautiful Costa d’Este Beach Resort and Spa in Vero Beach. Our speakers included Charlie Winn, Carol Tedesco, John Brandon, Rick Beleson, and Carl Allen. Carl Allen brought several artifacts from the Maravillas which caused a lot of excitement. Also, Mike Perna (who was scheduled to speak on Day 2), brought some artifacts for display. He and Sal Guttuso (the Director of Operations for 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC.) offered those in attendance a brief explanation about the artifacts and kept them on display throughout the two-day conference. There was a full house of between 70 and 75 people with standing room only. Following the events of that day about 25 people attended a dinner meeting at the Bonefish Grill. The full agenda for Day 1, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, is below:
8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:45 a.m. to 900 a.m. Welcome — Ben Costello
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Charlie Winn — “ New Information and Insights on 1715 Fleet Pedigreed Coins”
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Carol Tedesco — “Silver Treasure Coins of the Americas: Histories and Mysteries”
11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. John Brandon — “An Overview of Historical Shipwreck Salvage”
12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Rick Beleson — “The Dragon Whistle”
2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Carl Allen — “Allen X and Current Work on the Maravillas and New Wrecks”
6:00 p.m. – Dinner Meeting — Bonefish Grill
Wednesday, Day 2, was another day power-packed with great speakers including Cori Sedwick Downing, Jorge Proctor, Nichole Johanson, Mike Perna, and Noel Wells, who also brought artifacts for display during his presentation. Again, a full house of attendees. After the Conference, there was a drawing where several conference gifts were given away. Some of the gifts included signed books from several authors in attendance, a bottle from the SS Republic along with a Certificate of Authenticity and a book on the recovery of the SS Republic, a silver Mexico eight reales with a Lou UllianLouis J. (Lou) Ullian (1932 – 2010) Was a diver and original member of the Real Eight Company. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts he served in the U.S. Navy, Naval Weapons Station from 1956 – 19... certificate in a custom holder and a 1/10-ounce gold eagle certified by PCGS, MS 69! The full agenda for Day 2, Wednesday, January 10, 2024, is below:
8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Welcome — Ben Costello
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Jorge A. Proctor — “New Archival Research on the 1715 Fleet”
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Nichole Johanson — “Fun Fisher Facts”
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Cori Sedwick Downing — “The Charles and Joanna Silver Coinage of Santo Domingo, 1542 – 1552”
12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mike Perna — “The Value of a Treasure Hunter”
2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Noel Wells — “Small ArmsInsignia of a family or country, containing specific figures and colors and passed along through hereditary lineage. of the Spanish Treasure Fleets”
4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Conference Gifts and closing remarks — Ben Costello
Overall, I would say that the Conference was a success. This has been confirmed by what I have heard so far from those who attended. The next Conference is currently scheduled for 2026 and will be in Vero Beach. Details will be forthcoming.
Ben Costello
President, 1715 Fleet Society
