I am a 1-in-8 Member
By Jerrod Kelley, MRAA Content Manager
[Editor’s note: Original LinkedIn post edited for sharing]
Yesterday (Monday, Oct.6, 2025), as I sat in a room filled with brilliant marketing minds and dozens of marine industry leaders and decision-makers for the Discover Boating Marketing Leadership Summit 2025 at the Tampa EDITION in Florida, Tariq H. shared a fact that 1 in 8 Americans have worked at McDonald’s. Yes, from 16-21 (sporadically and dancing around high school sports and the college years) I served others as a team member at the Golden Arches.
Tariq Hassan — Building Cultural Relevance
But that’s not why I’m sharing today. I’m telling you this because Tariq was one of the many brilliant and engaging speakers at the Discover Boating event designed to discuss and share strategies to attract the next wave of boat buyers. For instance, Tariq reminded us all to start with your fans, create direct connections and relationships and to know when to get out of the way of organic social content — among other key takeaways. These reminders are all vital for helping dealers reach new audiences and new boaters. This approach and his leadership help rejuvenate an iconic American brand.
Chuparkoff — AI and the Future of Boating
DanChuparkoff.com delivered a stellar presentation about AI and the Future of Boating that also resonated with many in the room. It provided many insights, including reminding the room to view AI as a technology assistant/intern and to challenge the results it produces. His “Hierarchy of Human Expertise” reminded us that humans (that’s us, people!) are always the foundation, especially when it comes to solving, deciding and imagining. In addition, he shared that to build our AI muscle, we must remember we are only as good as our patience not our prompts.
IPSOS Research Presentation
IPSOS presented new industry data and a Market Expansion Advisory Group panel spoke about our industry’s foundational marketing challenges, the ever-shifting consumer mindset, shared opportunities and the need for collaboration to help boating grow. To clarify, more info and data will be presented at a later date.
IBEX & Innovative Thinking
Today, I’ll enter the doors at for IBEX, the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference, with several of my Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) leadership team to walk the show and experience the environment designed to drive business forward. The Discover Boating Marketing Leadership Summit was fantastic way to kick off my first IBEX and reminisce about the days of flipping burgers and salting fries.
A Question for Dealers
How are you doing marketing differently in your dealership to reach new boaters?
Watch 2025 Discover Boating Marketing Leadership Summit Content
Don’t fret if you were not able to attend the 2025 Discover Boating Marketing Leadership Summit at IBEX in Tampa in October. Furthermore, the Discover Boating team, powered by NMMA and MRAA, is here to assist you with capture insights, tactics and knowledge to help shift your marketing mindset and consider modern strategies for success.
Additionally, for questions or continued conversations, the NMMA and MRAA teams are here to support you at dbsummit@nmma.org.
