Event transformation has been designed to engage, energize and empower the marine dealer community to new heights. MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 6, 2018 — The MRAA Annual Conference & Expo will embark on an exciting transformation in 2019, introducing a new name, relocating to a new location and delivering an all-new immersive event experience, the likes […]
Author: MRAA
MRAA Educational Foundation Opens Scholarship Application Process
The MRAA Educational Foundation has kicked off the 2018 application process for its six scholarships and the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award, at MRAA.com/Foundation. Included in those six scholarships is a new scholarship to help support dealership apprenticeship programs, our Marine Apprentice Technician Scholarship. The award and scholarships, which will be presented […]
AVALA Supports MRAA at the Partner Level
AVALA Marketing Group has joined the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas as its newest Partner level member. AVALA Marketing Group is a digital marketing agency that supports manufacturers who sell high consideration goods through dealer channels, in efforts to drive more revenue throughout the entire customer lifecycle. “While historically, we here at […]
Tell Washington That Tariffs are Bad for Boating
Boat dealers and manufacturers are beginning to feel the impact of the worldwide trade conflict. As the Trump administration continues to levy tariffs on materials, products and components vital to the recreational boating industry, the ripple effects have reached the retail level in the form of additional surcharges, delays, and even cancelled orders. In a […]
Are You On Board With BoatPAC?
BoatPAC is the recreational boating industry’s political action committee. It works by bringing all industry segments together to support candidates running for Congress who will represent and protect the interests of the recreational boating industry on Capitol Hill. But we need your help. Each year, we update our compliance records to ensure that we have […]
Take the time to understand your customers
A couple months ago I bought my first brand-new motorcycle. In the process, I visited five different dealerships and had five vastly different experiences. The reason I bought from the fifth? The salesperson got me. My first interaction with Bryce was through a quote request form on the dealership’s website. He responded quickly, giving me […]
Dealer to Dealer: August
What is the most impactful lesson you learned about consumers during this selling season? “That everything I thought before about consumers is still true…when people feel like they have money and economy is good, whether they really can afford it or cannot, they wish to spend money and spend it less frugally.” – Ray Fernandez, […]
MRAA History: Don Galey
One of the original founders of the MRAA and of its Annual Conference, Don Galey of Galey’s Marine Supply, has collected awards like these at MRAA’s Annual Conference as far back as the 1970s and as recently as last year. Straight-ahead, Don.
Member Spotlight: Joe Lewis
Q: You have been in the boating world for some time, what is the most interesting decision you’ve made while in the boating business. Lewis: To stay in the business! (Kidding). The most interesting was to get into the business as a full service marina/dealership instead of a land-based dealership. It cost more up front, […]
Their Loss, Our Gain
My 13-year-old son, Nathan, and I spent an hour yesterday in a car dealership, signing the papers on a new vehicle. Nathan is passionate (obsessed is probably a better word for it) about anything that has a steering wheel, from the boat and the lawn tractor to his go-cart and the family cars. While my […]
