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Barletta Boats Recommits to MRAA as Strategic Partner

  • Joins 10 Esteemed Marine Industry Companies Playing Vital Roles with MRAA

MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that Barletta Boats has increased its support of the MRAA by stepping up to become a Strategic Partner — the highest level of membership with the association.     

Barletta Boats, joins 10 existing Strategic Partners, which provide the highest level of sponsorship support for MRAA and Dealer Week, MRAA’s annual conference and expo. Strategic Partners serve as the tactical and financial backbone of the association, participating in regular dialogue with the MRAA Board of Directors and staff and helping to set the initiatives and priorities of the association in its mission to fuel the growth and success of today’s boat and engine dealers.

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Since Barletta’s entrance into the marine market place in 2017, founder Bill Fenech has expressed his ongoing support of the dealer body and particularly the association in many ways. Barletta has supported MRAA as a member and as an exhibitor at Dealer Week, and Bill and Kristin Fenech have made significant donations to the MRAA through their foundation each year, as well. In 2020, when MRAA was forced to cancel Dealer Week due to the pandemic, Fenech proactively led a fundraising effort to support MRAA in its greatest time of need.

The association is looking forward to continuing this strong relationship with Barletta and its new president, Jeff Haradine. Jeff has already shown significant support to the MRAA, Dealer Week and the marine industry.

“I and our entire team here at Barletta Boats believe in the importance of a high-quality dealer network, and you can witness our commitment to that through the strong dealer network we have built for our brand,” Haradine, President says. “We are strong supporters of MRAA’s mission to fuel the success of our industry’s dealers, and becoming an MRAA Strategic Partner is a natural progression for us. We’re proud to step up, not only to help our dealers improve but also to support MRAA in its efforts to advance our industry.”

“The support of our Strategic Partners in tactical planning and helping us to identify primary objectives has played a pivotal role in the MRAA’s success,” said Allison Gruhn, Vice President of Business Development. “Bill Fenech and Barletta have supported our mission from the day they opened their doors, and it’s an honor to have them increase their commitment to our industry’s success. Adding Barletta to this elite group of Strategic Partners — comprised of industry advocates, visionaries and inspirational leaders — will continue to aid us in our mission to help boat and engine dealers, and the marine industry as whole, flourish.”

Founded in 2017 with a focus on innovative products, strong customer experience and authentic dealer relationships, Barletta continues to grow. Barletta has recently announced plans to expand its facilities to over 250,000 square feet, helping accommodate for their growing production needs. This expansion will be available for use in spring of 2023 and is expected to create more than 200 new jobs.

MRAA Strategic Partners are organizations that have committed to supporting the MRAA at the highest level of membership through a three-year partnership program.

Here’s the current 2022 list:

About the MRAA Strategic Partner Program

Strategic Partners serve as the strategic and financial backbone of the MRAA. As MRAA’s highest-level members, Strategic Partners participate in regular dialogue with the MRAA Board of Directors and staff, helping to set the initiatives and priorities of the association in its mission to fuel the growth and success of today’s boat and engine dealers. The Strategic Partners also provide the highest level of sponsorship support for Dealer Week, The MRAA Conference and Expo. Learn more at https://mraa.com/page/strategicpartners. 

About Barletta Pontoon Boats
Barletta Pontoon Boats is a premium marine manufacturer founded in 2017 with a focus on high-quality, innovative products, unrivaled customer experience and strong dealer relationships. Headquartered in Bristol, IN, Barletta is the fastest-growing company in the pontoon segment with an expansive network of dealer partners across the United States and Canada. The Barletta lineup includes the Lusso, Corsa, and Cabrio series. Visit www.barlettapontoonboats.com for more information. Barletta Pontoon Boats is a wholly owned subsidiary of Winnebago Industries (NYSE: WGO), a manufacturer of premium outdoor lifestyle products. For more information visit www.winnebagoind.com.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.