Latest News

Discover Boating Launches Tool to Connect Boaters with Dealers

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 14:13:00 GMT

Discover Boating, powered by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), announced today the launch of a new interactive tool to connect boat-buying consumers directly with nearby dealers. The new Dealer Finder on DiscoverBoating.com is a convenient tool to help site visitors search for—and connect with—nearly 3,600 new boat dealers across the country.

Guided by learnings from recent customer experience research conducted by Jerry Mona with Left Brain Marketing on behalf of NMMA, MRAA and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the new tool features easy search and mapping functionality to quickly locate local dealers through zip code or city search, as well as a one-touch option to visit a dealer’s website or call the dealer directly.

Click here to visit the new Dealer Finder tool on DiscoverBoating.com

“Recent research showed first-time boat buyers are experiencing some difficulty and frustration when trying to easily connect with dealers and their inventory, underscoring the importance of providing a convenient and enjoyable consumer experience as we invite people into boating,” said Ellen Bradley, chief brand officer for NMMA. “DiscoverBoating.com and the new Dealer Finder are an entry point for millions of boaters, and the more paths we offer to easily connect consumers with manufacturers, dealers, boat shows and other points of sale, the more they feel welcomed and the more positive experience they’ll have—all of which is part of Discover Boating’s long-term strategic digital transformation.”

“At Discover Boating, our role is to attract consumers to boating and to connect them with boat buying opportunities without hurdles and obstacles, and as seamlessly as possible,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Years in the making, this new Dealer Finder tool directly connects consumers to dealers. It gives them immediate access to the dealers and their product lines in their local communities, helping to improve the customer experience right from their very first click.”

The Dealer Finder tool is powered by the dealer database at the MRAA, which has been compiled and is refined on a daily basis by the MRAA team. The database includes every dealership brick-and-mortar location throughout the United States that MRAA has been able to verify. Dealers looking to update their listing or be added to the Find a Boat Dealer locator tool, can simply fill out this form and MRAA will reach out to help make changes.

Additionally, Marine Industry Certified Dealership (MICD) locations are highlighted and promoted through the Dealer Finder. Founded as a part of Discover Boating and offering dealerships the industry’s only template for running and improving a world-class dealership, the MICD Program criteria helps to ensure Certified Dealerships are delivering an exceptional customer experience and those businesses are therefore highlighted to call attention to their efforts.

For more information on the Dealer Finder on DiscoverBoating.com, please contact Freya Olsen, NMMA’s director of industry relations at folsen@nmma.org, or Liz Keener, MRAA’s certification manager at lizk@mraa.com.

Together Outdoors offers education, recreation businesses invited to join

Wed, 6 Oct 2021 19:57:53 GMT

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is among the many leading recreation-focused businesses who have come together as inaugural members of the Together Outdoors Coalition. The Together Outdoors Coalition, administered through the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), unites organizations from across industry sectors around a shared goal of making the outdoors more welcoming to people of all backgrounds, and it is currently developing tools and resources to help all interested organizations take action.

Among the resources being developed by Together Outdoors is a Zoom-based educational series focused on creating a more inclusive and welcoming user experience, as well as an informed and educated business interface with the consumer. Scheduled topics are:

• October: How We Got Here - Barriers to entry + history of access to outdoor recreation spaces.
• November: Building a Better Team - Recruitment of diverse employees and nurturing/retention of talent.
• December: Alignment and Implementation - Translating internal culture to field locations.
• January: Supporting the Work - Corporate giving + partnerships.
• February: Building a Collective Brand - Enabling outdoor organizations to showcase their commitment to the work.
• March: Marketing that Includes Everyone - Reimagine how your brand tells stories and who you highlight.
• April: Accountability - How to evaluate your progress on DEI measures.

Manufacturers, retailers, service providers, stakeholders and individuals in the outdoor industry are invited to participate by joining the coalition. You can learn more about Together Outdoors and how to become a member here.

If you have any questions, contact Gerry James at gjames@recreationroundtable.org

CMTA Surmounts Outreach, Educational, and Scholarship Programs to Combat Workforce Crisis

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 15:59:06 GMT

Essex, CT. - There are job opportunities within the recreational boating segment that are going unfilled, and hundreds of them are here in Connecticut. Statistics from the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas estimate that by 2019, there will be over 30,000 budgeted positions available nationwide but left open within the sector due to a lack of applicants, appropriate training and educational programs.

"Marine trades are often overlooked as a career, but they do offer full-time, year-round job opportunities, a variety of occupations, certification, degrees, and clear lifetime career paths, especially for those in technical or mechanical positions," according to Kathleen Burns, Executive Director of the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA).

To further foster educational and workforce development opportunities in the recreational boating industry in Connecticut, help fill existing positions and prepare the next generation of potential employees, the CMTA is surmounting new initiatives and expanding upon some of its long-running programs. The CMTA and many other boating related state and trade organizations have also supported the development of an instructional piece dedicated to growing the workforce, targeting national, regional and employer-level implementation: Strategy 10+1: A Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce.

The newly formed CMTA Foundation, a 501(C)(3) organization, expands the CMTA's seven year old scholarship program, now to include grants, and program and curriculum development. It is the sole mission of the Foundation to fill both the skills gap and marine workforce shortage through scholarship, program development and training. The CMTA Annual Golf Tournament held in August at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield, Connecticut was the first event to benefit the new foundation, and a $1,500 scholarship from the MRAA was announced which will be awarded in the area of technical training. A joint press conference was held with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) opening day of the Progressive Norwalk Boat Show, which NMMA produces, to announce the CMTA Foundation's formation, its initiatives, and NMMA's commitment to encourage manufacturers and dealers to participate in its efforts.

Randy Jennings of Beacon Point Marine is serving as the CMTA Foundation's Chairman, Shannon McKenzie of the Mystic Seaport Museum is Vice Chairman, Dave Croker of Crocker's Boatyard is Secretary/Treasurer, and other members include Scott Bowden of Port Niantic Marina, Ron Helbig of Noank Village Boatyard and Lynn Oliver of Brewer/Safe Harbor Marinas. CMTA member input is being sought, and the board is undertaking a needs assessment to further develop the concept of the foundation.

Jennings, a product of Shelton High School and the Bridgeport Aquaculture School is an example of the type of career paths available in boating. His parents owned a boat, and at the age of 12 he started working on the gas dock at a small family run marina in Shelton. He moved on to Beacon's Shelton yard while in high school, simultaneously finishing high school and the Aquaculture program. He continued to work at Beacon, graduated from New England Institute of Technology with a marine technology degree and has quickly risen through the company from mechanic to now serving as Service Manager.

"There are many misperceptions about working in our industry and it's important for us to get the word out that there are plenty of jobs available, and lots of opportunities in various capacities. Working in recreational boating is not just a part time job, but it can be a career for a lifetime," Jennings said. "The businesses that we work for are not large corporations, and for the most part are family run organizations. It is an industry in which employees are cultivated and treated like family," he added.

According to Burns, the workforce pressures affect approximately 537 small businesses across the state which facilitate the purchasing, storing, servicing and caring for boats. "The workforce shortages will potentially stagnate a growing industry from an economic stand point. The realities of our members' day-to-day struggles are that they are small businesses, averaging between $1 million to $2 million per year in sales, with an average of 15 workers. Without sufficient staffing and technical expertise, they cannot service their customers and run their businesses to the best of their ability."

The CMTA and NMMA hosted the their third annual Career Day at the Norwalk show, September 21, as an informational "Boating Careers More than a Job" session for students. Burns was joined by Lynn Oliver and manufacturer representatives to discuss the various opportunities in boating and job openings in the state. There are currently significant shortages in filling positions of licensed captains, as well as certified marine technicians and mechanics, with a list of openings available at http://ctmarinetrades.org/education/.

The Strategy 10+1 guide outlines the challenges facing the boating segment; that as an industry, recreational boating provides a fun, lifestyle based career pathway that can be very attractive to the rising employment pool, but that cultivating a talent pipeline requires that current marine industry, employers commit to an active role in training for the potential workforce, for new hires and for their existing workforce.

According to McKenzie, who serves as Director of Watercraft Programs at the Mystic Seaport Museum, collaborating with school districts and technical schools across the state is going to be a key initiative for the CMTA Foundation. "We need to create career awareness, provide support of training programs through hands on assistance and publicity, as well as support STEM programs that compliment boat building, construction or mechanical training programs," she said.

CMTA Foundation outreach and engagement has already been made with The Sound School (New Haven), the J. M. Wright Technical High School (Stamford), Norwalk Community College, Bridgeport Aquaculture School, Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School (Groton), and Waterford High School. In the past, the CMTA's Hartford Boat Show has also hosted student boat building programs from the Thompson Public School District and A Piece of the Pie (Hartford), as well as conducted career fairs at the show.

Both Burns and Jennings noted that since the July 1 sales tax reduction on boats, motors and trailers, Connecticut is seeing boaters return to its waters, an influx of new boaters, and dealers and marinas are reporting brisk sales. But the activity of the season has created a void in the workplace that the CMTA is trying to fill. "While many of our members already had budgeted open positions, the brisk business has exasperated the demand, and we want to help foster as many individuals as we can that are interested in pursuing opportunities in recreational boating to help them find a career path, hone their skills and to be able to fill these positions," Burn said.

In addition to the CMTA Foundation initiatives, The CMTA is working with many of the participants of the Strategy 10+1 guide and other associations to build national and regional networksthat include marine employers, schools, related industries and suppliers that can spread the word as to the current openings and future possibilities of career development in the recreational boating sector. At its 50th Annual Hartford Boat show in January 2019, the CMTA is also planning to highlight boating workforce opportunities, school and training programs through its second annual Windows to the Future section within its exhibit hall.

As a 501(C)(3) organization, The CMTA Foundation is accepting donations and endowments. For more information, contact Kathleen Burns at kathleen@ctmarinetrades.org.

Sam Dantzler and MRAA Partner on Virtual Training

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 17:45:07 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is now offering a highly rated sales training course from marine dealership consultant Sam Dantzler through a partnership between MRAA and Sam’s Watersports Dock.

The nine-part Hitting & Blocking: The Fundamentals of Sales breaks down a philosophy Sam calls “Make it Easy + Make it Awesome,” which focuses on making the buying process an emotionally moving customer experience. It is available via the MRAA Interactive Virtual Training System at MRAATraining.com, which features more than 30 modules on the topics that matter most to marine dealers.

The course is designed to provide boat dealerships of all sizes with tools to simplify the sales process, build customer trust and sell more boats.

“If you make it easy for a customer to buy, you improve the chances of the purchase significantly,” Sam said.

With the purchase of Hitting & Blocking: The Fundamentals of Sales, dealers gain 12-months of access to all nine course chapters for up to 25 team members. The MRAA virtual training system offers the ability for subscribers to train from any Internet-enabled desktop or mobile device, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Managers can use the system to assign courses, track employee training and monitor their performance.

“The reason Sam’s training is so incredibly impactful is that he has a unique ability to grab your attention and keep it while offering powerful insights and strategies that deliver results,” Liz Walz, vice president of MRAA, said. “Dealership employees enjoy learning new skills from Sam, which means they are much more likely to remember what they’ve learned and actually put it to work.”

One of the highest rated presenters at the annual Marine Dealer Conference & Expo (MDCE), Sam is a 20 Group moderator, offers consulting and dealership training, and recently launched Sam’s Watersports Dock, a virtual training portal for marine retailers.

“At MRAA, we get fired up by the chance to make a difference in the lives of dealers and their customers,” added Liz. “So does Sam and his team. That’s why we’re so excited to expand our relationship.”

This new course is part of a continually growing MRAA virtual training library, which now includes sessions from the 2014 and 2015 MDCE, education from leading experts both inside and outside the boating business, as well as webinars and other courses available free to MRAA members. Visit MRAATraining.com and sign in with your MRAA member username and password to learn more.

Torqeedo Finalizes New MRAA Premier Partner Membership

Mon, 8 Feb 2016 15:00:56 GMT

The global leader in a growing electronic boat drive sector has joined the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) as a Premier Partner.Founded in 2005, Torqeedo offers 25 different electric drives now available in more than 40 countries.

“We have seen the value MRAA provides to North American boat dealers, and we are proud to support an organization with such a long history of staunch advocacy and respected voice,” Steve Trkla, president of Torqeedo, Inc., said.

Water taxis, charter companies and boat rental operations across the globe have adopted Torqeedo propulsion systems for commercial applications in recent years. Vessels propelled by Torqeedo electric engines now extend from recreational catamarans and speedboats to barge pushers. Motors range from 1 to 80 horsepower and come in inboard, outboard, saildrive and pod drives.

“Committing to a Premier Partner Membership is just one way Torqeedo demonstrates its commitment to supporting the boat dealer community here in the United States,” says Matt Gruhn, president of MRAA. “Torqeedo plays a major leadership role in charting the course for electric power and limited access waters, and we’re excited to help Torqeedo’s fantastic team write the next chapter. “

A crucial factor in the creation of Torqeedo were the severe restrictions placed on running boats with combustion engines on Lake Starnberg in eastern Germany. Similar restrictions are being adopted in more and more environmentally sensitive areas around the world, but electric offer an advantage for users on private lakes — or anywhere fuel is difficult to access. By 2005 it was clear electric drive systems would play an pivotal role in shaping the sector’s future.

The solution to accessing these natural wonders: electric boat drives. By 2005 it was clear electric drive systems would play an important role in shaping the sector’s future.

Torqueedo joins a continually growing roster of boat manufacturers and suppliers who wish to support the dealer community through a partnership with the MRAA. A full menu of partner benefits can be found here.

MRAA Named 2015 Association of the Year by MSAE

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 20:09:15 GMT

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) has been selected from a distinguished field of nominees and recently named the “2015 Association of the Year” by the Midwest Society of Association Executives (MSAE). The award was presented during MSAE’s annual leadership conference in St. Cloud.

“The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is a vibrant association who exemplify what it means to lead, grow and make an impact on an industry,” one judge wrote on behalf of MSAE. “They have made huge leaps and bounds in recent years, using MSAE as one of their main educational outlets. MRAA is a great example of how to utilize MSAE for personal and professional growth, and give back through leadership roles. They are paving the way and making a difference; we can all learn something from them! Way to go, MRAA!”

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Minneapolis, the MRAA renders educational, developmental, legislative, regulatory and promotional services to boat retailers located in all 50 states and throughout Canada. Membership uncorks a dynamic benefit bundle that includes the industry’s only dealer certification program, customized marketing solutions, discounted insurance rates, warranty processing and access to a vast archive of interactive training material.

“Being recognized as the 2015 Association of the Year directly correlates with the hard work and long hours our staff logs throughout the year,” Matt Gruhn, MRAA president, said. “Our members recognize and appreciate the, at times, difficult tasks our team tackles—all in the interests of maximizing their commercial success.”

The leading edge of MRAA’s member benefit package centers around the popular Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program, which offers a roadmap to developing and maintaining a successful dealership. Retooled and modernized under the direction of Sonja Moseley, participation in the certification program has grown by more than 50 percent over the last two years and now includes online portals covering areas ranging from techniques to maximize sales and enhancing customer satisfaction to search engine optimization and digitizing inventory.

“Educating our members and keeping them informed on the latest industry trends represents one of our core missions, and being recognized as 2015 Association of the Year by MSAE validates the effectiveness our certification program,” Sonja said.

Additionally, more than 1,100 retailers, marina owners and boat builders recently attended the annual Marine Dealers Conference and Expo in Orlando—hosted jointly by MRAA and Boating Industry Magazine. The gathering is the largest educational event of its kind in North America and features an itinerary stacked with marquee speakers, laser-focused seminars covering a dynamic array of subject matter and events designed specifically for young professionals.

ARI's Website Platform Integrates with Moreboats.com

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 15:27:43 GMT

Milwaukee, Wis., August 7, 2015 – ARI Network Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIS) announced today that its Endeavor dealer website platform for marine dealers now integrates with Moreboats.com, a pay-per-lead and pay-per-call marine inventory marketplace.

The integration allows marine dealers to seamlessly post new and used inventory listings on the Moreboats.com marketplace directly from their ARI-powered website’s administration panel – saving time and increasing unit exposure to drive more leads. ARI’s rich unit information further drives the most complete and compelling listings on the marketplace, with zero information rekeying required.

“Too often, a buyer finds the boat of their dreams, only to learn that the listing is old and the boat is actually sold,” said MoreBoats.com CEO Anna Islamova. “This integration with ARI’s Endeavor platform simplifies inventory management for a dealer and ensures Moreboats.com visitors have access to the most up-to-date boat listings possible.”

“Sales channels like Moreboats.com are a key marketing tool for marine dealers, but managing inventory across multiple channels can be a real challenge for time-strapped dealers, especially during peak boating season,” said Brad Smith, ARI VP of Product Management. “ARI’s marketplace listing integrations drive the best quality listings, with less effort, to ultimately generate more online boat leads and in-store sales.”

Dealers who sign up for an ARI-powered website from now until January 1, 2016, will receive one free year of Moreboats.com third-party inventory channel service. Interested dealers can click here to schedule a demonstration, or contact ARI at 800.755.6040.

About ARI
ARI Network Services, Inc. (ARI) (NASDAQ: ARIS ) offers an award-winning suite of SaaS, software tools, and marketing services to help dealers, equipment manufacturers and distributors in selected vertical markets Sell More Stuff!™ – online and in-store. Our innovative products are powered by a proprietary data repository of enriched original equipment and aftermarket electronic content spanning more than 17 million active part and accessory SKUs and 750,000 equipment models. Business is complicated, but we believe our customers’ technology tools don’t have to be. We remove the complexity of selling and servicing new and used vehicle inventory, parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) for customers in the automotive tire and wheel aftermarket, powersports, outdoor power equipment, marine, home medical equipment, recreational vehicles and appliance industries. More than 23,500 equipment dealers, 195 distributors and 3,360 brands worldwide leverage our web and eCatalog platforms to Sell More Stuff!™ For more information on ARI, visit investor.arinet.com.

About Moreboats.com
Moreboats.com is a leading performance-based marketplace for the boating industry. The company offers pay-per-lead and pay-per-call inventory marketing for dealers, manufacturers, and boat financing industry segments. For more information, visit MoreBoats.com.

Additional Information

· Follow @ARI_Net on Twitter: twitter.com/ARI_Net

· Become a fan of ARI on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ARInetwork

· Join us on G+: plus.google.com

· LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com

· Read more about ARI: investor.arinet.com/about-us

Images for media use only

ARI Logo

MoreBoats.com Logo

For ARI inquiries, contact:

Colleen Malloy, Director of Marketing, ARI, +1.414.973.4323, colleen.malloy@arinet.com

For MoreBoats.com inquiries, contact:

Anna Islamova, CEO, MoreBoats.com, +1.805.500.6945, anni@moreboats.com

ARI Investor inquiries, contact:

Steven Hooser, Three Part Advisors, +1.214.872.2710, shooser@threepa.com

STO: Dealer conference plans 2013 pre-event workshops

Fri, 3 May 2013 21:33:57 GMT

From Soundings Trade Only:
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, which has seen a 173 percent increase from the number of registrants prior to May 1, 2012, announced it will feature an all-new series of pre-conference workshops at its 2013 event, set for Nov. 17-20 in Orlando, Fla.

The new series will feature seven workshops and is scheduled for the morning of Nov. 18. The workshops will offer in-depth strategies and expert advice in either single three-hour workshops or as many as two 1.5-hour workshops, announced the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the group that co-produces the show with Boating Industry magazine. Read more .

Industry Leaders Gather for Third Growth Summit, Establish Recreational Boating Leadership Council

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:34:14 GMT

CHICAGO — On Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, approximately 30 individuals representing diverse organizations and companies with a vested interest in the future of the recreational boating industry reconvened in Rosemont, Ill., for the third growth summit.

An all-industry effort, the growth summit meetings bring together all corners of the industry, looking ahead to address growth challenges that the marine industry will face in the near and long-term futures. In two earlier growth summit meetings, nearly 200 industry stakeholders narrowed their efforts, focusing on six priority action items: attracting younger and more diverse participants to boating; supporting industry marketing efforts; creating stronger boating advocacy and uniting to fend off unwarranted legislation that hampers boating growth; exploring issues related to the affordability of boating; and creating opportunities for growing boating through education and outreach.

In the most recent meeting, participants together created the Recreational Boating Leadership Council, a steering committee to oversee and coordinate these efforts, as well as individual committees to oversee individual priority action items. The group also appointed Matt Gruhn, President of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, as chairman; Jim Frye, President of the Association of Marina Industries, as vice chairman; and Thom Dammrich, President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, as secretary.

Rather than govern, the new Council’s role is to coordinate efforts and shared resources and communicate progress. During the summit, the Recreational Boating Leadership Council reviewed progress made on the six priority action areas created during the first and second growth summits, identified and discussed shared opportunities and resources to address next steps on these priorities and established leadership teams responsible for moving each priority forward.

The Council will work as a group, improving cross-sector communication and collaboration among all recreational boating stakeholder groups within each of the six priority areas with the goal of growing participation and achieving long-term growth for recreational boating. The Council will meet at least twice annually to ensure progress and share information while addressing each priority.

Attendees at the Dec. 4 Growth Summit included marine dealers, distributors, retailers, boat, engine and accessory manufacturers, trade associations, publishers, government agencies, consumer and youth organizations, banking and insurance companies, standards and safety groups, and marinas.

Leadership teams responsible for each of the six priority actions (marketing communications, youth, affordability, diversity, education, and advocacy) include:

Marketing Communications: The function of the marketing communications priority is to improve recreational boating industry stakeholders’ understanding and support of the industry’s Discover Boating and the Welcome to the Water campaigns. Responsibilities include improving communication among stakeholders about the work done through Discover Boating in order for stakeholders to leverage that work, promoting a unified effort behind Discover Boating messaging, delivering the Discover Boating message through participation events that welcome more people to the water, and incorporating key messaging from the youth, diversity, education and affordability priority areas when appropriate. This action team will also help industry be more engaged and benefit from the Recreational Boat and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the Take Me Fishing campaign.
Co-Chairs: Joe Lewis, Mount Dora Boating Center and Grow Boating, Inc., and Carl Blackwell, NMMA and Grow Boating, Inc.
Members: Jim Emmons, Water Sports Industry Association; Nancy Cueroni, National Marine Distributors Association; Michael Cassidy, RBFF; Glenn Hughes, Bonnier Corp.; Dean Waite, Soundings Trade Only; Bill Watters, Syntec Industries.

Youth: The youth priority’s goals are to quantify and inventory existing youth boating programs to understand opportunities and needs, explore opportunities with existing and new high school level fishing and boating club, create an industry-wide commitment to youth programs such as Sea Scouts, share news with industry stakeholders regarding their work and identify areas of opportunity.
Co-Chairs: George Harris, Northwest Marine Trade Association, and Keith Christopher, Boy Scouts of America
Members: Jack Gierhart, U.S. Sailing; Melissa Danko, Marine Trades Association of New Jersey; Randy Short, Almar Marinas; Amy Collins, Boating Industry magazine

Affordability: Because affordability is subjective, the purpose of the affordability priority is to understand buyer habits, explore opportunities for new points of entry (including certified pre-owned), provide education and access to information for boaters and potential boaters on the boat purchasing process, and better communicate the emotional and experiential benefits of the boating lifestyle. Boating affordability is a continuum with many points of entry.
Co-Chairs: Bill Otto, Lake Effect Financial Services/National Marine Bankers Association and Jim Coburn, Michigan Boating Industries Association
Members: Tom Knighten, American Sailing Association and Discover Boating and Bill Sisson, Soundings/Soundings Trade Only

Diversity: Given the changing demographics of the United States and the need for understanding the challenges and opportunities of this growing diversity, the focus of the diversity priority is to quantify the business opportunity that diversity offers, promote greater diversity within the industry and encourage continued outreach to diverse audiences by industry stakeholders, understand how changing demographics impact recreational boating, and share this research and knowledge with the industry.
Chair: Thom Dammrich, NMMA
Members: Lou Sandoval, Karma Yacht Sales, and Margaret Podlich, BoatUS

Education: The focus of the education group will be to rally the industry around Welcome to the Water on National Marina Day events in 2013, which will offer hands-on training and expand access to boating. In addition, this priority is charged with researching the extent to which a lack of skills training is a barrier to boat ownership and conducting market research on hands-on training opportunities.
Chair: Jon Kukuk, Nestegg Marine/Wisconsin Marina Association
Members: Joe Lewis, Mount Dora Boating Center/Grow Boating, Inc.; Jim Frye, Westrec Marinas/Association of Marina Industries; Margaret Podlich, BoatUS; Jack Gierhart, US Sailing; Charlie Nobles, American Sailing Association; Jonathan Sweet, Boating Industry magazine; and members across each represented regional marine trade association.

Advocacy: The advocacy priority will work to improve the industry’s presence on Capitol Hill to protect and grow recreational boating. The group agreed that all members of the Recreational Boating Leadership Council will attend the American Boating Congress (ABC), held May 8-9, 2013 in Washington, DC, and encourage their respective organizations and members to attend in order to increase the importance and impact of the event and enhance the voice of recreational boating. This action team will also serve as a clearinghouse of advocacy issues to expand industry grassroots involvement in issues impacting recreational boating. This effort recognizes that the boating industry is an ecosystem and that legislation or regulation that adversely impacts one segment of the industry will eventually adversely impact the entire industry.
Chair: Jim Currie, NMMA
Members: All co-hosts of the American Boating Congress

The efforts of the Growth Summit are not exclusive to those listed above. We need all stakeholders to take an active role in growing our industry! The Recreational Boating Leadership Council is seeking YOUR involvement and encourages YOU to participate in the Council’s efforts to grow our industry. We need you! Your voice and involvement make a difference! Please contact NMMA’s Ellen Hopkins today to learn more about how you can help or volunteer for a specific priority action group. You can reach Ellen at ehopkins@nmma.org.

###

About the Recreational Boating Leadership Council:The Recreational Boating Leadership Council is a group of leaders from across all segments of the marine industry working together to address growth challenges facing the marine industry. To achieve long-term growth, the council is focused on six priority action areas: attracting younger and more diverse participants to boating, supporting industry marketing efforts, creating stronger boating advocacy, exploring issues related to the affordability of boating and creating opportunities for growing boating through educational and outreach.

Debbie Meigs receives 2012 Darlene Briggs Award

Wed, 5 Dec 2012 18:53:44 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. – Debbie Meigs, senior customer service representative with Cobalt Boats, Neodesha, Kan., was named the 2012 Darlene Briggs Award Winner during a luncheon Nov. 14 at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. The honor is given annually to an outstanding woman in the marine industry.

A 38-year veteran of the marine industry, Meigs has served in a variety of roles for Cobalt, including the organization of its customer satisfaction training for both internal use and Cobalt’s dealer network. Additionally, Meigs has remained involved in industry organizations, serving in the past as chair of the NMMA CSI Steering Committee.

"Through her contributions to both Cobalt and boating as a whole, Debbie has truly raised the bar for customer service in this industry,” Jonathan Sweet, editor-in-chief for Boating Industry magazine, said.

At the event, Boating Industrymagazine’s national sales manager, Kathy Johnson, introduced the 2011 Darlene Briggs Award Winner, Jewell "Julie” Crowe of Crowe Marine, who presented the award.

The recipient of the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award demonstrates leadership and commitment to the boating business. Recipients also must show a willingness to volunteer their time and effort in their communities and social organizations.

This award was established in 1987 in honor of Darlene Briggs of Wayzata Marine, who exemplified these qualities, serving as the first retail marine saleswoman in Minnesota and the first female member of her state marine trades association. It is sponsored byBoating Industrymagazine, MRAA Spader 20 Group 103 and MRAA.

The 2011 recipient was Jewell "Julie” Crowe, co-owner of Crowe Marine. Other past recipients include: Barbara Woodard, accessories manager at Woodard Marine; Nancy Smith, co-owner of boat dealership Colorado Boat Center; Ann Baldree, national and international sales manager of Marine Products Corp.; Marcia Kull, vice president and general counsel of Volvo Penta; Joan Maxwell, president of Regulator Marine Inc.; Kris Carroll, president of Grady-White Boats, Inc.; Lynn Fiorenzano of Silver Spring Marine; and Maureen Dickson of Cap Sante Marine.

The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo was held Nov. 11-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

MRAA's Gruhn recognized for "Bold Moves"

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:58:59 GMT

MRAA President Matt Gruhn was recently featured in an article by Boating Industry magazine, recognizing the progress that MRAA has made in 2012. The "Bold Moves" that MRAA has made have resulted in huge increases in membership. Read the article here.

Two events that boost the bottom line

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:34:01 GMT

By Norm Shultz, Soundings Trade Only

From all accounts, last week’s International BoatBuilders Exhibition and Conference produced another strong showing as one of the industry’s two biggest educational events. Next up from Nov. 11-14 is the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla. Read the entire blog.

Trade Only video interview with MRAA President Matt Gruhn

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 14:38:02 GMT

This week at IBEX, MRAA President Matt Gruhn had the opportunity to sit down with Soundings Trade Only Editor Bill Sisson for a quick interview on the state of the industry. Check out the video here.

BI: MRAA sees opportunity in managing North Central Marine Association

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 22:54:33 GMT

The following article appeared in the Boating Industry e-newsletter on Friday, Sept. 7, 2012.

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas will assume management of the North Central Marine Association in an effort to strengthen both the membership of the local marine trade association and reunite the marine industry in Minnesota. Read more.

BI: Fate of NMMA, MRAA model-year agreement remains in question

Sun, 2 Sep 2012 14:25:01 GMT

The following article appeared on Boating Industry online on Friday, Aug. 31.

In a landmark agreement, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the National Marine Manufacturers Association recently reached consensus on a proposed regulation for boat model-year enforcement. It is now up to the United States Coast Guard to decide the next step. Read more.

STO: Sweeping changes already in place at the MRAA

Fri, 8 Jun 2012 16:36:44 GMT

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is undergoing sweeping changes and the results are being recognized by retailers around the U.S. and Canada.

"Our non-group-member roster has increased 92 percent,” MRAA president Matt Gruhn says, "and that’s just since February. We’re aggressively expanding..." Read more.

STO: MRAA executive administrator retires

Tue, 1 May 2012 14:22:49 GMT

Marge Eckenroad, executive administrator with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, is retiring after 36 years with the association.

She began working with the MRAA in 1976 on a part-time basis and joined full time in 1989. She worked with the leadership of the association throughout her career, and alongside immediate past president Phil Keeter for his entire 23-year-tenure with the MRAA.

"MRAA is truly losing the most dedicated employee it has ever had,” Keeter said in a statement. "I could always count on Marge to ‘go the extra mile’ for the MRAA.”

BI: Complementary goals led to Marine Retail University

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:12:51 GMT

The latest educational conference for the marine industry, an ongoing series of regional events called Marine Retail University, came together when the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Dominion Marine Media realized they were both looking to offer dealers more opportunities to learn.

For 17 years, Dominion Marine Media has successfully hosted Yacht Brokerage University events, which as the name suggests are geared toward yacht brokers. Courtney Chalmers, marketing director at Dominion Marine Media, says that as the company’s mission has grown to include a greater focus on education, there has been a desire internally to create a similar event for dealers.

At the same time, the MRAA surveyed members and found that the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo (which is co-produced by Boating Industry) was rated the most important benefit the group provides. MRAA’s new president, Matt Gruhn, saw an opportunity to reach even more dealers if the organization could bring the education to them on a regional level. Read more.

STO: MRAA announces two new partnerships

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:32:18 GMT

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that Dominion Marine Media renewed its support of the association as a partner member and that the MRAA is partnering with Priority One Financial Services to create a new member benefit for its Rewards Program. Read the full article.

STO: MRAA debuts nationwide insurance program

Fri, 9 Mar 2012 20:52:34 GMT

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that the MRAA Rewards Insurance Program, available through Norman-Spencer Marine Insurance Services to MRAA members, was rolled out nationwide March 1.

The MRAA Rewards coverage, which is part of the agency’s AquaPac program, offers consumers broad, affordable insurance coverage that accommodates the full spectrum of boats ... read more.

BI: MRAA says new website offers new way of doing business

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 23:33:38 GMT

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas today introduced an upgraded website that it says offers "an entirely new way of conducting business.”

"To put it simply, this new website provides us the platform to reinvent the way we do business,” Matt Gruhn, president of the MRAA, said in a statement. "It may seem a little overblown to make so much of what appears to simply be a new website, but this is much, much more than a simple redesign, or a couple new features. This allows us to interact with our members in ways we’ve never explored, and it provides much greater value to both our retailer and supplier membership experiences.” Read more...

STO: Marine groups detail online progress

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 16:10:19 GMT

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas unveiled a new website, and Dominion Marine Media reported significant growth in website visitors.

The MRAA launched a new website that it said will change the way the group and its members conduct business. Read more...

BI: MRAA announces exclusive partnership

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:22:22 GMT

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced a new partnership today with TSYS Merchant Solutions, which will provide MRAA members with preferred pricing on credit card processing, check guarantee and conversion, mobile payment solutions and gift card processing.

TSYS Merchant Solutions has been in its industry for 55 years and ... Read more.

BI: MRAA, Spader expand relationship

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 22:59:28 GMT

MRAA Rewards members will have access to additional benefits through an expanded partnership between the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Spader Business Management.

The new relationship between the two groups will provide MRAA Rewards members with discounted pricing on two of Spader Business Management’s new products: Profit Production Tools & Resources and its TRUE* Online Dashboards.

The Profit Production Tools & Resources provide dealers with an analysis of their financial statements, assistance building a stronger chart of accounts and ... Read more.

STO: Stakes are high for industry’s future

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 15:31:20 GMT

For a day and a half in December, an exceptional group of marine industry leaders and visionaries met at a Chicago-area hotel to discuss the future of recreational boating and debate how best to create a foundation to ensure its success for the next decade and beyond.

The Recreational Boating Stakeholder Growth Summit — hosted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association — brought together about 160 executives and leaders from every segment of the industry, including bankers, big-box retailers, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, marinas, ... Read more.