MRAA Blog

How to Help Boating Customers Clear Hurdles

• Rapid Marine uses proactive approach to engage, educate and encourage Minnesota boaters about new boating safety law Imagine there are 10 hurdles in your way, standing between you and the finish line. If you’ve ever had a chance to run hurdles on a track team, staring down 10 hurdles, each measuring 42 inches high […]

Why Marine Dealers Should Attend the American Boating Congress: Advocacy, Networking, Impact

By Liz Keener, MRAA Senior Director of Dealer Development During the opening night dinner at the American Boating Congress, organizers invited first-time attendees to stand up. There were dealers, manufacturer representatives and industry suppliers who rose from their chairs — and, of course, me. For 14 years, I had heard of this event — ABC […]

Engage Customers, Encourage Boating

• Discover Boating Safe Boating Video Series — Empower boaters with confidence, safety and inspiration Discover Boating, in collaboration with Progressive Insurance®, has launched a fresh wave of safety videos designed to build trust, encourage on-water confidence and support the long-term growth of recreational boating. These five new videos are part of an ongoing commitment […]

Tariff Policy & Cross-Border Marine Trade

• A Q&A with Kellen Friedlander, President, Great Lakes Marine By Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager Rapidly shifting global trade policy is resulting in rising costs and supply chain disruptions. It’s ultimately creating uncertainty for boat dealers, especially those serving both recreational customers and public safety agencies. To explore these challenges, we spoke with […]

South Carolina’s Boat Tax Reform: A Victory for Boaters, Dealers and the Marine Industry

There is big news coming from South Carolina, as the state is one step closer to cutting the nation’s highest boat property tax. With an overwhelming 89-7 vote in the South Carolina House of Representatives, this reform effort has picked up serious momentum — and it’s a major victory for boaters, dealers and the entire […]

MRAA Speaks Out Against Key Ban in Minnesota

In 2023, Minnesota legislators passed a ban on consumer products with certain levels of lead and cadmium, including jewelry, toys, cosmetics, kitchenware and art supplies. The law also included keys. With the ban set to take effect, many businesses are in a difficult position since workable alternatives are not available or commercially viable at this […]

MRAA Advocates for Marine Retailers in Minnesota Boat Wrap Stewardship Program

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) has provided feedback on the proposed Minnesota Boat Wrap Stewardship Plan, aiming to ensure that the program minimizes the financial and operational impact on marine retailers across the state. In a comment letter submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Commercial and Industrial Flexible […]