The Pre-Certification Assessment

Intent: For the Dealer to understand where they need improvement and for the consultant to understand where and how they can help.

The Marine Industry Certified Dealership program’s Pre-Certification Assessment is the base from which the program begins.

We could argue that the Pre-Certification Assessment is one of the most important steps in the MICD program. It is the step that sets the context for the work that you will be doing (and achieving!!) throughout the Certification process. The Pre-Certification Assessment allows you to take a hard look at your business and analyze which areas you believe you’re already strong in and which you believe your consultant can help the most with.

So our challenge to you is to take time on your Pre-Certification Assessment. Really think about where your processes break down, or where you need more structure. Be thoughtful and honest in your completion of the assessment. Doing so will help you get the most out of the Certification program, allowing you to draw on the experience and knowledge of your consultant and the entire Certification team in helping your business improve.

MRAA Members Testify in Indiana

On January 27, the Indiana House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on an amendment to House Bill 1385 #2, which would allow boaters to wake surf behind a forward-facing engine. MRAA, along with its partners, the National Marine Manufacturer Association and Water Sports Industry Association supported this measure.

Two MRAA members, Preston Schenkel of N3 Boatworks and Mike Hoffman of the Marine Center of Indiana both testified in support of this amendment, along with NMMA’s Jill Sims. Together, they provided expert testimony, and were well equipped to answer questions from committee members on the effects of this legislation on the recreational boating industry in Indiana.

The amendment was adopted unanimously by consent of the committee, and if passed, would allow outdoor enthusiasts in the Hoosier state to enjoy the same cutting-edge technology that boaters in every other state can.

If you have questions, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager, Adam Fortier-Brown.

MRAA Stands Up to Over Fishing in Chesapeake Bay

On January 29, the Virginia House of Delegates Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on HB 1448, Menhaden; Management of the Fishery, which would transfer management authority for the fishery from Virginia’s General Assembly, to the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC). All other marine fisheries in the state are managed by VMRC. MRAA is highly engaged in supporting this bill, and bringing Virginia into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Management Plan. Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross has threatened to place a temporary ban on the Chesapeake Bay’s menhaden fishery if the commonwealth does not comply with federal quotas by June 17, 2020.

MRAA Board member Jason Murphy from Norfolk Marine testified before the Committee in support of this important legislation. “Menhaden play a critical role in the ecosystem, supporting striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, and many other highly sought-after recreational fish stocks, worth tens of billions of dollars along the Atlantic coast,” said Murphy. “Passage of HB1448 will help support thousands of jobs in the recreational boating industry, and allow fishermen and anglers along the Atlantic coast to participate in this major economic driver for years to come.”

The committee voted in favor of HB 1448, 13-7. It now will go to the General Assembly for approval.

If you have questions, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager, Adam Fortier-Brown.

MRAA fights “Right to Repair” in Maine

On January 23, the Maine State Legislature Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business held a hearing on a bill (HB 1977) that would require manufacturers to provide comprehensive information and access to software and tools needed to repair products – including electronics, and marine engines— to untrained and uncertified technicians and individuals. MRAA opposes this measure, and is actively engaged in preventing it from becoming law.

MRAA member Rob Brown from Clark Marine, testified before the committee to explain the negative effects of this bill on the boating industry, and the importance of having a certified technician work on marine engines. In his testimony, Brown explained that “marine engines can become a very serious liability if modified incorrectly… a technician who is not up to date with manufacturer repair and or service practices, [could] unwittingly put the user and their families at risk when they are out on the water.”

Read the MRAA’s submitted testimony on LD 1977, or listen to a recording of the hearing here.

If you have questions, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager, Adam Fortier-Brown.

Ed Lofgren Awarded MRAA Lifetime Achievement Award

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas named Ed Lofgren of 3A Marine Service, Inc., Hingham, Mass., as its 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Last week, Lofgren was recognized for his deep passion and dedication to his local, state, national and North American boating industry for more than 50 years.

In addition to owning and operating a leading Marine Industry Certified Dealership, 3A Marine Service, he served on the MRAA Board of Directors for 9 years, and as Chairman in 2009 and 2010. During his time on the board, he helped to found and subsequently became the biggest champion of the MRAA Educational Foundation. He continued to serve as President of the Foundation for many years after he stepped off of the MRAA Board.

“Ed Lofgren has made, and continues to make, significant impact across the marine industry,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “He has always been a great proponent for continuing education and advocated for the future of boating, especially around the topic of our industry’s workforce.”

Across his home state of Massachusetts, Ed has been equally as active in furthering the success of the marine industry. He currently serves as the chairman of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust and is a current board member of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association. Additionally, he is a strong force behind growing post-secondary education opportunities for aspiring marine technicians.

MMTA Executive Director Randall Lyons said he often refers to Ed as “Mr. Education,” because he has been so involved in helping improve the workforce. “He is the first person to offer his time, energy and resources to help achieve educational goals within the boating industry,” Lyons commented.

The MRAA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented on January 23rd during the Massachusetts Marine Trade Association’s Business of Boating (BoB) Conference in Foxborough, Mass.

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, contact us at 763-315-8043.

MRAA, MICD Launch 2020 Continuous Certification Curriculum

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has announced the lineup for the 2020 Continuous Certification curriculum, as part of the Marine Industry Certified Dealership (MICD) program.

The Continuous Certification program is a year-long education program that teaches marine retailers how to improve upon their already premier operations that were improved throughout the initial MICD process. Continuous Certification delivers relevant, timely, high-impact, in-depth education customized exclusively for Certified Dealers to maintain their Certified status.

“The MRAA Certification team is looking forward to another great year of valuable-packed content for Certified Dealers,” said Liz Keener, MRAA Certification Manager. “Each quarter, subject matter experts will deliver a message that marine dealers across North America told us were topics that they needed more information and guidance on. We are thrilled to announce the lineup for 2020.”

The 2020 courses include: Maximize Your Boat Show Sales by Don Cooper; Take Your Employee Satisfaction to the Next Level by Bob McCann and Liz Keener; Update Your Sales Process for Today’s Marine Market with Jim Million; and Improve Your Service Shop from the Inside Out with Valerie Ziebron.

The MICD program has already kicked off the 2020 Continuous Certification Curriculum with the first quarter course, Maximize Your Boat Show Sales, with Don Cooper of the Sales Heretic, available to those who have already enrolled in the program for 2020.

Maximize Your Boat Show Sales kicked off in early January, just in time for most dealers to get a fresh dose of education before their first boat show of the season. In the first quarter, Don Cooper, a former MRAA Conference & Expo speaker, covers the during and after stages of the boat show, helping dealers better qualify their leads and follow up with those prospects to increase sales and get more consumers enjoying the boating lifestyle.

For more information on Continuous Certification or the MICD programs, contact MRAA Certification Manager, Liz Keener at lizk@mraa.com.

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, contact us at 763-315-8043.

There’s Always A Reason For That

When I think of the word intent, my mind often takes a step further and thinks of the word intentions. With anything that you make a commitment to – relationships, your health, continuing your education – there are always intentions attached.

So much like everything the association does, there is intent behind each resource and program that is built. For example, the Marine Industry Certified Dealership program…

Since the initial program was built, the intention of the program has always been to provide a set of standards or benchmarks that marine dealerships can strive for. It is not the intention of the program for a third-party (MRAA) to come in and tell marine retailers (you) how to run a business. The most rewarding part of the process for the MRAA Certification team is to witness the unique ways dealers across North America run their operations. Now that they program is 15 years old, we can tell you with confidence that not one location is exactly the same as another.

This is why we have clear intentions for each step of the program. Over the course of the next few months, members of the MRAA Certification team will walk you through the intentions and thought process behind each section of the MICD program. Make sure to follow along!

Senate passes Save our Seas 2.0 Act

On January 9, 2020, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Save our Seas 2.0 Act, a crucial step to address the growing water quality issues caused by marine debris.  Introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), final passage of this bill— which is supported by MRAA— would create a federal marine debris foundation, launch federal studies into marine debris, and establish a “genius prize” to encourage solutions addressing plastics pollution.  Next, Representative Suzanne Bonamici’s (D-OR) version of Save our Seas 2.0 Act will be reviewed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congress unanimously passed the bipartisan Save our Seas Act in 2018, which reauthorized the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program through FY 2022.  Save our Seas 2.0 builds this success, improving the response to marine debris by incentivizing international engagement, and supporting domestic infrastructure to prevent debris in the first place.  

“Save Our Seas 2.0 is the most comprehensive marine debris legislation ever to pass the U.S. Senate,” said Senator Sullivan. “Our legislation aims to tackle this global challenge on three fronts – improving America’s ability to respond to marine debris events and clean up waste, working toward international cooperation and agreements with nations responsible for the majority of trash entering the oceans, and exploring new, innovative ways to manage and even reuse plastic waste. The Senate’s resounding support for our bill today is another sign that the federal government is ready to take serious steps to address a challenge that impacts our coastal communities, many of them in Alaska. I want to commend my colleagues, particularly Senators Whitehouse and Menendez, for their hard work on this legislation as we look to get SOS 2.0 across the finish line in the House.”

The MRAA supports Senator Sullivan and Representative Bonamici’s leadership on implementing comprehensive solutions, including increasing the international collaboration and engagement that is necessary to address the rising issue of marine debris.

If you have questions, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager, Adam Fortier-Brown.

Win For Anglers: Federal Government Threatens to Close Down Menhaden Fishery

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross issued a statement threatening to temporarily close Chesapeake Bay’s menhaden fishery if the state of Virginia does not comply with federal quotas by June 17, 2020.  In a win for recreational fishing, the U.S. Department of Commerce found Virginia out of compliance for permitting Omega Protein Corp., which accounts for the vast majority of the menhaden fishery in Virginia, to exceed Chesapeake Bay’s quota.  In 2019, Omega Protein harvested 35 million pounds over the bay quota.

“We applaud Secretary Ross’ decision to protect our fisheries and holding organizations accountable for federal quotas,” said MRAA President, Matt Gruhn. “By promptly addressing this behavior, the U.S. Department of Commerce is making important steps towards protecting fish stocks along the Atlantic Coast. We applaud the Secretary’s decision to protect this forage fish population and the businesses and communities that benefit from it.”

“Implementing responsible conservation practices across all fisheries is essential to the long-term wellbeing of marine ecosystems and we thank Secretary Ross for doing just that by swiftly addressing menhaden overfishing in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of NMMA. “Healthy and sustainable forage fish and sportfish stocks are equally important to the recreational boating and fishing community and this decision is a major step toward protecting and rebuilding both of these critical populations.”

“Secretary Ross made the right move in standing with recreational fishermen,” said Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Reduction fishing for menhaden threatens the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working fishing guides and tackle shop owners and impacts everything from striped bass to whales. Today’s decision holds Omega accountable and sets the stage for improved management of this important forage fish.”

“U.S. Commerce Secretary Ross’ decision to hold Omega Protein accountable for their actions demonstrates clear conservation leadership to the sportfishing and boating industry and anglers along the Atlantic Coast,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “This decision comes at a critical time because menhaden’s top predator, Atlantic striped bass, is currently in poor condition and the Chesapeake Bay is the primary spawning and nursery area for the species. We thank Secretary Ross for recognizing the value menhaden brings to the recreational fishing community and America’s outdoor recreational economy.”

“The ASMFC’s Policy Board has some of the finest fishery managers in the country on it and they unanimously found Virginia out of compliance with the Menhaden Fishery Management Plan. Upholding the ASMFC’s non-compliance finding for Virginia was simply the right thing to do,” said David Sikorski, executive director of Coastal Conservation Association Maryland. “We applaud Secretary Ross for defending both the management system and the forage base in the Chesapeake Bay.”

If you have questions, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager, Adam Fortier-Brown.

MRAA Celebrates 2019 Great Dealerships to Work For

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas named the marine industry’s Great Dealerships to Work For at the inaugural Dealer Week Awards Luncheon, last month, in Tampa, Fla..

Ten dealerships qualified for recognition through the results of the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program’s annual Employee Satisfaction Survey. This survey, administered anonymously through the MRAA, asks Certified Dealership employees to answer 37 questions about their satisfaction with dealership management and leadership, workplace satisfaction, dealership reputation, and customer relations, all on a scale of 1 to 5, with “5” being Highly Satisfied. The answers add up to a cumulative score for overall Employee Satisfaction, and MRAA recognized dealerships who achieved a score of 90 percent or better.

“While the primary goal of the Employee Satisfaction Survey process is to take feedback and improve upon the workplace, we use the Great Dealerships to Work for to recognize those dealers who are already excelling at creating a positive dealership culture,” says Liz Keener, MRAA Certification Manager. “We know employee satisfaction is one of the pillars of a successful business, as happy employees perform better, stay with the company and better serve those customers who buy from the dealership.”

In 2019, 115 Certified Dealerships went through the Employee Satisfaction Survey process before the September deadline and were eligible for recognition in the Great Dealerships to Work For Program. Of those who participated, only 10 qualified at the 90 percent mark or higher. Those dealerships are:

  1. Action WaterSports Arizona, Mesa, Ariz.
  2. Desmasdon’s Boatworks, Pointe au Baril, Ont., Canada
  3. Breath’s Boats & Motors, Bay St. Louis, Miss.
  4. Clark Marine, Manchester, Maine
  5. Off Shore Marine, Branchville, N.J.
  6. Russell Marine – Smith Lake, Hanceville, Ala.
  7. Marina Fortin, St-Paul De L’Ile Aux Noix, Que., Canada
  8. Buckeye Sports Center, Peninsula, Ohio
  9. Tri-State Marine, Deale, Md.
  10. Regal & Nautique of Orlando, Orlando, Fla.

“It is an honor to be able to recognize those businesses who go to great lengths to create a rewarding and motivational culture and atmosphere for their employees,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “As the Certification program grows, we have been able to see a correlation between employee satisfaction and strong employee processes.” The 2020 Employee Satisfaction Survey will be distributed to dealers in Continuous Certification on April 13, 2020. To be eligible for consideration in MRAA’s 2020 Great Dealerships to Work, Employee Satisfaction Surveys must be completed by September 18, 2020.

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, contact us at 763-315-8043.