MRAA Dealer Week Conference & Expo Smashes Attendance Records

• More than 1,500 Dealers and Industry Members Attended the 4-Day Marine Event, Hosted Dec. 4-7, at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida.

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 11 – More than 1,500 marine industry professionals attended the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) 2023 Dealer Week Conference and Expo, held Dec. 4-7 in Tampa, Fla., establishing records for total registration, dealership attendance, number of exhibitors and expo hall floor space coverage.

audience listening to speaker
Dealer Week 2023 attendees listen to educator Ryan Estis share tactics in his Sales & Marketing session: “Adapt & Thrive: Leading Growth in the New Economy.” (By Criterion Photography)

Dealership attendance set a new high-water mark at 721 dealership personnel, while total attendance improved by 15 percent, surpassing 1,500 total attendees for the first time in the event’s history. The 150 Expo Hall booths and 18 dock slips sold out, contributing to the largest show floor in the event’s history. More than 40 first-time exhibitors showcased booths at the Tampa Convention Center and 45-plus boat brands were represented. Additional manufacturers, exhibitors and suppliers wanting to exhibit already make up a waiting list for Dealer Week 2024.

“Our team is proud that their passion and hard work in serving the marine industry inspired continued growth of Dealer Week 2023 — the most engaging, most powerful educational conference we have ever produced,” said Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “And while the numbers suggest our reach continues to expand, it’s the connections, the business opportunities, and the take-home value of the educational programming that matters most to us and to our attendees. This year’s Dealer Week was packed with ideas, insights and inspiration to help dealers remain strong as they enter and navigate the year ahead.”

For the first time in history, two manufacturers – Centurion & Supreme, and Skier’s Choice – held annual dealer meetings in conjunction with Dealer Week. Additionally, a pre-event Service Management Workshop, designed to share data, education and insight to help navigate issues, reduce team stress and boost dealership success, sold out.

vendor booths in conference center
The MRAA 2023 Dealer Week Conference and Expo had a record number of exhibitors and largest floor plan in history. (By Criterion Photography)

“Dealer Week continues to impress with its reach, scope and incredible content. With passion and absolute effort from the MRAA dedicated team, it has become the preeminent and trusted marine industry event for dealership growth and refinement,” said Jeff Strong, MRAA Board Chair and Owner, Strong’s Marine. “From the high quality education to the networking to the many opportunities available for improvement, Dealer Week continues to deliver and raise the bar. I look forward to next year.”  

Save the date for the 2024 Dealer Week Conference and Expo, scheduled for Dec. 8-11 in Orlando, Fla. Until then, Dealer Week educational opportunities for business growth continue with Dealer Week Online. Available at MRAATraining.com, from Tuesday, Dec. 12 to March 1, 2024, dealers who register can access 15 Dealer Week education sessions — five unique sessions from three separate pathways: Leadership, Sales & Marketing, Service & Parts — and three post-Dealer Week webinars. Learn more about Dealer Week Online here.

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.