MRAA News

MRAA supports boating safety along southern border

In an effort to keep boating and fishing along the southern border of the United States safe, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is supporting H.R. 1505, the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act, which has passed the House and is now being considered in the Senate. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) offered an […]

Corps of Engineers issues lifejacket recommendation

In early May, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ended its four year study of a potential lifejacket wear requirement for adults on all its lakes. The study looked into the feasibility of establishing a mandatory life jacket policy on Corps-managed waters. According to the policy study, wear rates at the test lakes significantly increased […]

Massachusetts passes Trailer Amendment

The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association applauds Governor Deval Patrick and the Legislature for the inclusion in the final version of the FY2013 state budget of a practical, business-friendly provision that allows the use of one license plate on any trailer owned by a boat builder or repairer transporting vessels on public ways. Introduced during the […]

MRAA and LMS launch video packages for members

MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) and Lighthouse Media Solutions (LMS) have partnered to design video production packages available exclusively to MRAA members. “Video has become an essential piece of marine dealers’ marketing strategies,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “The video production packages being offered by Lighthouse Media Solutions allow our […]

Volvo Penta signs on as MRAA Platinum Partner

MINNEAPOLIS — Volvo Penta of the Americas a leading global manufacturer of marine engines and power systems, has been named a Platinum Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the highest level of support for the association. “Like MRAA, Volvo Penta is dedicated to providing dealers with products and services that contribute to […]

MDCE’s NEW Powering Profits Track

What Can This Track Do For You? The Powering Profits Track includes 6 different sessions. Check out 2 of them below: The Improvement Engine, by David VeechYou will learn practical ways to create a work environment that will drive continuous improvement throughout your dealership. David’s presentation will share techniques that you can use to build […]

What’s happening at MDCE 2012

What’s Happening at MDCE This Year… Keynote Presentation: “How the Best Get Better” To be the best in today’s marine marketplace, you have to excel at turning leads into sales, generating repeat business and inspiring powerful referrals. In this session, author and internationally recognized speaker Robert Stevenson will provide concrete strategies to help you improve […]

Marine Industry Association of Central Florida to host Marine Retail University

MINNEAPOLIS – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Dominion Marine Media announced today that the Marine Industry Association of Central Florida has become the third state marine trade association to sign on as host of a Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University event this year. The event, scheduled for Nov. 10-11, 2012, will be held […]

GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance named MRAA Platinum Partner

MINNEAPOLIS — GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF), the boating business’ leading provider of inventory financing, has renewed its position as a Platinum Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the highest level of support for the association. “The deep insights a company like CDF can provide into the health of the dealer […]

Small-business optimism remains at historic low

Small business optimism, as measured by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Index of Small Business Optimism, dropped a tenth of a point in May, thus remaining at a historic low. This reading of 94.4 is “consistent with the sub-par performance of GDP and employment growth,” according to NFIB. Business owners’ expectations for future […]