Dealer Week is the place to meet manufacturers, connect with fellow dealers, learn how to improve your dealership and make progress on Dealer Certification. It’s also where MRAA’s advocacy efforts continue and grow. At Dealer Week 2021 in December in Austin, Texas, the Advisory Council of Marine Associations (ACMA) convened for its first meeting since 2019.
Held Monday, Dec. 6, the ACMA meeting featured State Marine Trade Association (MTA) representatives from around the country. The purpose of this annual meeting is to unite MTA leaders and discuss the previous year’s policy priorities. The group’s focus then shifted to the upcoming year, which included drafting a set of policy resolutions to guide our future engagements. The meeting and resolution creation play an integral part of MRAA’s advocacy efforts because it creates better alignment with state partners and their objectives.
MRAA’s advocacy is focused on helping the businesses of our members and the boating industry at large, so the annual ACMA meeting presents a nation-wide perspective. Synergy between national and state associations across the country creates strong coalitions that collaborate on issues at various levels of government.
This year’s meeting had policy discussions and critical conversations on how to enhance ACMA for increased participation and efficient processes that benefit of our industry. By way of structural changes, we discussed adding another meeting at the National Marine Trade Council (NMTC) Meeting to serve as a midyear check-in on resolution items. Additionally, an ACMA handbook will be created that will outline its history, purpose and requirement for membership.
The overall sentiment at the ACMA meeting was, “it is good to be back!” This meeting reminded us all about the dedication and passion we put forth to support the boating industry, by identifying issues and finding solutions in collaboration to benefit our members. You can learn more about ACMA, view the handbook or the policy resolutions from past years, by emailing Chad Tokowicz.
