BOCA GRANDE, Fla. — The Cobalt 20 Group, made up of 20 non-competing Cobalt Boats dealers from across North America, has demonstrated its support of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas by becoming a Patron Member of the association.
 
The group, which is facilitated by David Parker, president of Parker Business Planning, presented a check to MRAA incoming President, Matt Gruhn, during a meeting held following the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. According to Parker, the check represented a show of support for the association and the initiatives it has set forth in strengthening the opportunities that it provides marine retailers.
 
“We are very grateful for the Cobalt group’s support,” said Gruhn. “As a group of some of the leading dealers in our industry, their support — both on a participatory and financial level — is greatly appreciated. The MRAA is focused on strengthening our relationship with all dealer groups, particularly through the creation of new benefits and additional membership value. The support of the Cobalt 20 Group tells us that we’re on the right track.”
 
Cobalt 20 Group member Jeff Strong (Strong’s Marine, Mattituck, N.Y.), who also serves on the MRAA’s MDCE Convention Committee, set up the opportunity for Gruhn to speak at the 20 Group meeting and led the initiative for each of the group’s members to contribute to the support of the national association.
 
“Our Cobalt 20 Group is very excited about many of the new initiatives MRAA has launched,” said Strong. “We wanted to visibly demonstrate our support for these initiatives because we believe they will provide growth opportunities for MRAA members and for boating as a recreational pursuit.