MINNEAPOLIS — Almost a year after kicking off the first in a series of seven regional Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University educational and networking events, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Dominion Marine Media are preparing an expanded line-up for year two.
On the heels of overwhelmingly positive feedback from the more than 320 participants and through the support of title sponsor Norman-Spencer Marine Insurance Services, event producers are planning to grow the series to at least nine events throughout North America during the upcoming season.
“A big part of MRAA’s mission is to provide companies that interact with the boater in their community opportunities for improvement and growth,” says Liz Walz, MRAA Director of Membership & Education. “Through the Marine Retail University series, MRAA and Dominion can identify regional trends, share expert advice and provide industry best practices to marine businesses in their backyard, which allows us to serve those companies at a much deeper level than ever before, at an incredibly affordable price and in an very efficient manner. That combination has proven powerful for attendees.”
Working alongside local, state and regional marine trade associations, the MRAA and Dominion Marine Media have already scheduled four of the nine events:
· Northwest Marine Trades Association, Seattle, Wash., Sept. 25, 2013
· Boat Trades Association of Texas, Grapevine, Texas, Oct. 13-14, 2013
· Boating Industries Association of Central New York, Syracuse, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2014
· Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, Boston, Mass., Jan. 29, 2014
The MRU educational line-up will feature presentations on sales, service, finance, customer retention and marketing. A key feature of these regional events is their ability to offer data and information that dealers can use to capitalize on local trends.
“We are excited to be able to extend educational opportunities to even more dealers across North America in the coming season,” says Courtney Chalmers, Director of Marketing for Dominion Marine Media. “It’s our goal to once again deliver an educational line-up that will create long-term success for our participants; and, because the information is tailored to the attendee’s surrounding marketplace, we are confident the MRU will offer exactly that.”
Registration rates begin at $149, but discounts for members of the MRAA and hosting MTAs can bring down rates to as low as $49 per person. Learn more about upcoming events and sponsorship information here: Marine Retail University.
About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the companies that interact with the boater in their community must thrive. Those businesses determine the boater’s experience and are the leading factor in the industry’s success. The MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those businesses, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit About Dominion Marine Media
Dominion Marine Media is the recreational marine industry division of Dominion Enterprises – a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, marine, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, travel, and employment industries. Dominion Enterprises’ businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, website design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 60 market-leading websites reaching more than 20.9 million unique visitors monthly. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 3,300 employees in more than 186 offices nationwide.
