The boating industry, including boat manufacturers, dealers, marina operators, and boat yards, has been voicing strong concerns in Washington for the past couple of years that ethanol blends in gasoline used in recreational boating have caused considerable damage to engines and fuel systems. The damage is significant in that it can severely impact boating safety […]
MRAA News
Strong support for current estate tax policy
Meetings in the Senate on repeal of the estate tax contained in the Bush-era tax cut legislation confirm there is strong support for continuing current estate tax policy of a $5 million exemption and a 35-percent tax rate. Senators Baucus (D-Montana), Landrieu (D-Louisiana), Tester (D-Montana), Pryor (D-Arkansas), and McCaskill (D-Missouri have said they would continue […]
ACMA guides MRAA on 2013 legislative action
The Advisory Council of Marine Associations (ACMA) met at the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo (MDCE) on Nov. 10 to review 2012 federal and state legislative activities and to project potential legislative action in 2013. During the meeting, ACMA members discussed ethanol, federal red tape and over regulation, problems with a lack of funds for […]
MRAA optimistic about Fiscal Cliff deal
MRAA continues to closely follow negotiations regarding the Fiscal Cliff. The Fiscal Cliff is defined as the combination of a 10-percent across the board cut of government spending and the expiration of the Bush era tax cuts. MRAA has lobbied in favor of balanced equitable solution and retention of the second home mortgage interest deduction, […]
LMS to offer free marketing budget consulting for MRAA members
MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Lighthouse Media Solutions have partnered to offer MRAA members a free one-hour marketing budget consulting session, which has a $500 value. “In today’s marketplace, dealers are always searching for ways to get more out of their marketing budget,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “The consulting […]
Law Firm Expansion Means a New Name
Leonard A. Bellavia, Esq. is pleased to announce that on January 1, 2013, Bellavia, Gentile & Associates will become known as: Bellavia, Blatt, Andron & Crossett, LLP. Our shorthand version shall be Bellavia Blatt. This change has been brought about for several reasons. First, John Gentile shall become in-house General Counsel to the Staluppi Auto […]
Bonnier Corp’s Glenn Hughes named Jerry Martin Journalism Award recipient
MINNEAPOLIS – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas presented its 2012 Jerry Martin Journalism Award to Glenn Hughes, Vice President and Group Publisher of Bonnier Corp’s Marine Division, at the 2012 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. “As a former journalist myself, I very much appreciate the great lengths that Glenn has gone to in […]
Debbie Meigs receives 2012 Darlene Briggs Award
ORLANDO, Fla. – Debbie Meigs, senior customer service representative with Cobalt Boats, Neodesha, Kan., was named the 2012 Darlene Briggs Award Winner during a luncheon Nov. 14 at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. The honor is given annually to an outstanding woman in the marine industry. A 38-year veteran of the marine industry, Meigs […]
AAA Speaks Out Against Ethanol
Yesterday, the American Automobile Association issued a press release opposing E15 gasoline and urging the Environmental Protection Agency to stop the sale of E15 until consumers are better protected. The 53-million member organization is one of the biggest consumer lobby organizations in Washington, D.C., so this news is big for the support of MRAA’s position […]
Reaching out to the Hispanic Market
As the largest minority group in the U.S. Hispanics are becoming an increasingly valuable segment within our economy. Recently, AdAge Magazine reported that “Latinos are fueling growth of the population, Internet usage, technology sales and pumping more than $1 trillion of spending power into the economy.” Similarly, Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment of anglers, forecasted […]
