MINNEAPOLIS – The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo announced today that it has signed Sam Dantzler, a noted speaker and sales expert who works primarily with Harley-Davidson and Triumph Motorcycles dealers, to present two separate sessions at this year’s educational conference.
Dantzler, who presented two topics at the 2012 MDCE, was the highest-rated speaker in the history of the annual dealer conference, and post-event surveys showed that dealers were both captivated and motivated by his presentations. In 162 post-event reports, Dantzler was mentioned numerous times as the highlight of the event and as one of the most effective speakers at the conference. In all, his name was specifically mentioned 57 times in the 162 reports.
“I really enjoyed hearing Sam Dantzler,” said Kim Greene from Deep Creek Marina, McHenry, Md. “Both of his classes were exciting, and I took a lot from them and plan on doing some changes in my department from his classes.”
“The highlight of the conference was both the ability to interact with the other top dealers in the U.S. and the excellent speakers, in particular Sam Dantzler,” added Chris Olsen, Seattle Boat Co.
For 2013, Dantzler will once again present two separate sessions. In the Powering Profits Track, Dantzler will present a session titled “Pay Plans that Deliver Real Results,” a session that will outline how dealers can develop incentive-based pay plans across their dealership to help improve performance and drive up profitability. In the Sales & Marketing Track, Dantzler will present on “The True Math of Discounting & Upselling,” in which he’ll help sales people understand how discounting products and a lack of upselling can hurt your bottom line.
“As we look at the landscape of today’s recreational retailers, we’ve moved out of a survival phase and into a growth phase,” Dantzler explains. “These two topics are some of the most critical issues that my clients are asking about, and through some simple strategies that I have noted and developed over the years, MDCE attendees will be given in-depth ideas for how to add more money to their bottom line.”
“We are obviously very thrilled to bring Sam back and to be able to offer his expertise to our attendees,” explains Liz Walz, Director of Membership & Education for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, which co-produces the MDCE with Boating Industry. “His knowledge and energy and his outside-the-industry perspective make him an incredibly effective resource for marine dealers to tap into, and these two sessions offer a strong mix of Sam’s expertise as well as strategies that serve critical needs for today’s marine dealers.”
A 13-year veteran of the motorcycle industry, Dantzler is a noted dealership consultant and trainer, as well as a moderator for four 20 Groups for Harley-Davidson and three 20 Groups for Triumph Motorcycles. He has been the keynote speaker at Arctic Cat Inc.’s last two winter shows, and he has also done work for Polaris Industries and EZ Go Golf Carts’ “Bad Boy” ATV/UTV line. He brings a knowledge and understanding of what today’s successful dealers do to find success and shares it in an effective and entertaining manner.
“Sam Dantzler’s presentation was one of the two seminars that I took the most away from,” explained Rob Brown, owner of Clark Marine in Manchester, Maine, and an attendee of the 2012 MDCE. “There was enough information in those two hours to make the conference worth the price of admission.”
Dantzler will speak at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20th at the MDCE.
More comments about Sam from MDCE 2012 attendees:
“Valerie [Ziebron] and Sam Dantzler were amazing,” — Jeff Coffey, Erwin Marine Sales
“The Harley guy, Sam Dantzler, was by far the best. Hi seminar was packed with useful information and he was a good speaker.” — Douglyss Giuliana, Advantage Yacht Sales
“Sam Dantzler was hard to top. He was the best by far.” — Tim Korns, Delaware Marine
“Sam Dantzler, Don Cooper and Jennifer Robison were also very dynamic.” — Brad MacArthur, Legend Boats
“Sam Dantzler was an excellent speaker.” — Scott MacCrimmon, Ed Huck Marine
“Sam Dantzler had the most energy of anyone there.” — David McIntyre, Slalom Shop Boats & Yachts
“Sam Dantzler provided a different approach t the retail side of things.” — Henry Nguyen, Legend Boats
“Get Sam Dantzler back!” — Eric O’Brien, Hagadone Marine Group
“I enjoyed Sam Dantzler. He put in perspective how to make the experience a fun experience for the customer.” — Jeff Snowdon, Ronds Marine Ltd.
“Sam Dantzler, who did the presentation on retaining customers, was one of the most effective.” — Larry Watson, Legend Boats
“The guy from the motorcycle industry, Sam Dantzler … I recommend they bring him back. Not everybody has that talent or gift. He had good things to say, and he made you want to listen.” — Chris Wilson, Action Water Sports
About the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo is the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ annual conference and member meeting. As the marine industry’s only dealer-specific educational conference, the MDCE features an in-depth line-up of educational topics, a full-featured expo hall, and a series of fixed networking opportunities, all of which are designed to help marine dealers connect with and learn from others who can foster their success. The MDCE is co-produced by the MRAA and Boating Industry, and it offers a keynote presentation, three tracks of educational content, and more than 20 sessions in all. It will be held Nov. 17-20 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Learn more at www.mraa.com/event/MDCE.
