Soundings Trade Only Named Dealer Week Official Media Partner

Industry media leader to provide livestream interviews from 2019 event.

Dealer Week, the all-new MRAA Conference and Expo, has named Soundings Trade Only as its Official Media Partner. The organizations have begun collaborating on an all-new livestream video experience to be broadcast from Dealer Week 2019, as well as an expansive marketing and advertising campaign to drive greater awareness of this exciting new event.

To be held Dec. 8-11 in Tampa, Fla., Dealer Week will feature a Solutions Stage in the center of its expansive expo hall. Soundings Trade Only will conduct live interviews from the Stage, engaging with industry executives, Dealer Week partners and other leaders. This new feature of MRAA’s annual conference will not only provide these individuals with a platform to enhance the on-site experience and takeaways, but the livestream will also deliver the Dealer Week and Soundings Trade Only brands to numerous industry inboxes and social media feeds on an ongoing basis.

“Over the long history of MRAA’s educational events, we have never explored the means for reaching an audience outside of those in attendance at the event,” said Matt Gruhn, MRAA president. “We partnered with Soundings Trade Only so that we can now provide an even greater ROI for our attendees and our partners, as well as being able to reach those individuals who may not be able to attend the conference to show them all Dealer Week has to offer.”

Soundings Trade Only will bring its strong reporting reputation and interviewing expertise to add to Dealer Week, as its editors explore the latest trends and insights on the state of the industry from the Solutions Stage. In its 40th anniversary year, Soundings Trade Only will bring a vast amount of insight to the Dealer Week dialogue as industry leaders will fuel conversations with diverse perspectives.

“Soundings Trade Only is proud to support key industry associations and events that provide tools to push the industry forward,” said Michele Goldsmith, Publisher of Soundings Trade Only. “Thus, we are pleased to collaborate with MRAA to drive attendance of the new Dealer Week event that includes education, networking and more for members of the marine industry eco-system.”

About Trade Only
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Soundings Trade Only is a marine business-to-business news multi-media brand.  It includes a monthly print publication, and digital entities including an e-newsletter, web and social media sites.  Soundings Trade Only’s mission is to reflect, inform and inspire. It offers the latest business news, and information about the brands, products, companies, people, events, trends, statistics, management, manufacturing, marketing, and more impacting the marine industry.  It is part of the AIM Marine Group, which includes other marine consumer publications: Yachts International, Power & Motoryacht, SAIL, Anglers Journal, Soundings, and PassageMaker. The AIM Marine Group is a division of Active Interest Media.  For more information or to order a free subscription, please visit www.tradeonlytoday.com.

About Dealer Week
For more than 40 years, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has delivered world class educational programming to dealers, retailers and service operations that power the boating industry and serve today’s boaters. Dealer Week has evolved as MRAA’s rebranded and reimagined annual conference and expo, a profoundly new event experience designed to engage, energize and empower the dealer community. The MRAA envisions a brighter future for marine retail, and Dealer Week is the preeminent means for bringing that vision to life. Learn more at dealerweek.com.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the MRAA, our team believes that for the marine industry to thrive, the dealers on the front lines of the industry must first find success. With that in mind, we work to create a strong and healthy boating industry by providing dealers with tools, resources and educational programs — such as MRAATraining.com, the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program, and Dealer Week, The MRAA Conference & Expo — and by representing those businesses with a powerful voice. For more information, visit mraa.com.

120 Marine Dealerships Completed Continuous Certification Program in Inaugural Year

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is pleased to announce that more than 120 marine dealerships completed the inaugural year of the association’s Continuous Certification program.

The all-new Continuous Certification program was launched January 2018 as a powerful revamp to the previous “Re-Certification” process. The new program was built specifically for Certified Dealers and not only qualified dealers to maintain their Dealership Certification status, but also strengthen the dealership operations that were addressed in the initial Certification Program.

The 2018 educational curriculum focused on how dealerships could improve their customer relationship management processes, how to create a stronger customer experience, how to develop an accountable workforce and how to decide which growth or stability strategy marine retailers should focus. The courses included:

  • Take Your Dealership from Good to Great with CRM, by Sam Dantzler
  • Improve Loyalty with a Customer Experience Mindset, by Theresa Syer
  • How to Create a High Accountability Dealership, by John Spence
  • Strategy: A Path to Improved Performance, by David Spader

“Each educational course introduced new and challenging lessons and best practices that marine retailers should be integrating into their dealerships, in order to reach their greatest potential,” says Liz Keener, MRAA Certification Manager. “The participating dealerships were truly focused on improving their relationships with their customers, bettering their workplace culture and securing the success of their day-to-day dealership operations.”

In addition to the educational curriculum, dealerships participated in the Employee Satisfaction Survey process, which addressed the current culture of their company and encouraged retailers to look into ways on how they could improve the overall satisfaction of their employees. They also assessed their compliance with Certification standards, evaluated their facilities and completed a performance planning process.

“We were thrilled with the level of engagement that was demonstrated by the first year Continuous Certification participants,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Committing to continuing your education year after year is the best way that marine retailers can ensure continued growth and success as a Marine Industry Certified Dealership.”

Enrollment for the 2019 Continuous Certification Program is now open for Marine Industry Certified Dealers. 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, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.

MRAA Joins Center for Sportfishing Policy Membership

The Marine Retailers Associations is honored to announce that the association has joined the Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP) membership. We look forward to supporting CSP and working together to maximize opportunity for saltwater recreational anglers and the industry, as a whole.

“MRAA has always recognized the significance of recreational saltwater fishing to the marine industry, and we are excited by the opportunity to partner with CSP and advocate for anglers and dealers at a much higher level,” says William Higgins, MRAA Public Policy Manager.
 
CSP is a coalition of leading advocates for marine recreational fishing and boating. The Center works to maximize opportunity for saltwater recreational anglers by organizing, focusing and engaging recreational fishing stakeholders to speak with one voice to shape federal marine fisheries management  policy. The organization is non-partisan and focuses on having an impact in the national political arena, principally Congress and federal regulatory agencies, to promote a quality recreational fishery and improve angling and boating access.

“The Center for Sportfishing Policy is proud to represent the millions of Americans for whom saltwater recreational fishing is a way of life,” said CSP President Jeff Angers. “We are thrilled to welcome these members to our family.”

 

If you have questions, please contact MRAA Public Policy Manager, Will Higgins.

Lake Union Sea Ray Changes Name to Union Marine

Seattle, WA: Lake Union Sea Ray announced today that its name will change to Union Marine effectively immediately. At the same time, the company unveiled a new identity and website at www.unionmarine.com.
 
The new site prominently features the company’s inventory sales & service departments at their three locations in Seattle, Fife & Bellingham. The redesigned site allows customers to shop with ease and find services quickly.  In addition, the Seattle Lake Union Service Center is expanding to a larger facility so they can accommodate more customers and boats.
 
Kevin Roggenbuck, President and CEO stated “Lake Union Sea Ray, has been and continues to be an iconic brand for over 32 years, not only in the Pacific Northwest, but around the country as well. I’m incredibly proud of what we have built over the years. However, as we continue to grow at a rapid pace, I felt it important to address the diverse brand offerings we currently offer the boating public here in the Northwest. After extensive time and energy testing many new names, Union Marine has emerged as the clear winner. It fits nicely within our current identifiers, provides a name that is less geographically centered (For current and future growth), and allows our strong brand offerings to speak for themselves. I felt it was past time to make this exciting change”.
 
Founded in 1986, Lake Union Sea Ray – Now Union Marine, is one the largest independent boat dealers in the nation, featuring three locations in Seattle, Fife and Bellingham. They offer boat sales, marine service centers and accessories sales at each location. The company’s portfolio features the best brands in boating including Sea Ray, MasterCraft, Bayliner & Heyday, Monte Carlo Yachts, Boston Whaler and Lowe Boats. In January 2019, the company acquired Pacific Nautiques, the largest Nautique dealer in the Pacific Northwest.

Time is Running Out: Tell the EPA to Stop Year-Round Sales of E15!

The EPA recently announced their plan to move forward with year-round sales of E15 – putting millions of Americans at risk.
 
Year-round E15 fuel sales are dangerous for anyone who operates machinery with small engines – including boats, chainsaws, and lawnmowers – because most don’t know the damage it causes or that it’s federally prohibited to use in their engines.
 
With 3 in 5 Americans trusting their local gas stations for all of their fueling needs – including these small engines – the last thing we need is more E15 at the pump. That’s why the MRAA and the recreational boating community has been fighting for increased consumer protections and is pushing the EPA and administration to stop year-round sales.
 
We need your voice in the mix. Tell the EPA to stop year-round sales of E15, and to protect boaters like you!

If you have questions, please contact MRAA Public Policy Manager, Will Higgins.

Minnesota Office of Outdoor Recreation Close to Becoming Reality

MRAA and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable are working to establish outdoor recreation offices in state capitols around the country, and they are close to crossing the finish line in Minnesota. Legislation to create a state level government office in charge of promoting and advancing outdoor recreation has been introduced by Representative Jim Davnie (HF 2220) and Senator Carrie Ruud (SF 2237). MRAA has worked closely with the legislature and the MN Department of Natural Resources on this endeavor.

Outdoor recreation is a vital part of the economy, generating 2.2 percent of total U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). In Minnesota, outdoor recreation is an economic powerhouse, that generates nearly $16.7 billion in consumer spending, contributes $1.4 billion in state and local tax revenue and supports 140,000 Minnesota jobs. An Outdoor Recreation Office in Minnesota would provide a focal point for all stakeholders to engage a new and diverse generation of Minnesotans with the outdoors while focusing on growing local economies and communities through recreation.

In the House, the bill passed through its respective committees and was included in the House Environment and Natural Resources omnibus bill (HF 2209) put forth by Chairman Hansen. Last week, the omnibus bill passed through appropriate finance committees and is ready to be brought to the House floor. In late April, the omnibus package will be brought before the House and is expected to pass, sending the bill to be conferenced with the Senate. The conference process is expected to begin late April or early May.

If you have questions, please contact MRAA Public Policy Manager, Will Higgins.

Boating Industry Representatives Testify at EPA Hearing on Year-Round E15 Sales

On March 29th, the Environmental Protection Agency held a public field hearing on its proposed rule to lift the restriction on summertime sales of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol (E15). Many in the recreational marine industry has long opposed increasing the volume of ethanol in the fuel supply, and are weighing all options to thwart EPA’s proposal.

Tim Reid, vice president of product development and engineering at Mercury Marine and David Slikkers, director of government relations at Tiara Yachts were joined in testifying by NMMA senior vice president of government relations and legal affairs, Nicole Vasilaros. Jim Stewart of the Michigan Boating Industries Association and Jim Coburn of the National Marine Lenders Association and MBIA also testified.

According to Vasilaros, “The EPA’s rule allowing year-round sales of E15 is an affront to consumers who use gas-powered products and expect the EPA to look out for their best interests. With year-round sales of E15, the risk of misfueling will lead to potentially disastrous consequences and jeopardizes the safety of the consumer. In the interest of consumer safety, the agency should consider abandoning the rule. 

“In certain products, E15 use is prohibited by law due to safety concerns. In fact, the use of E15 can destroy engines in a wide-range of consumer products including boats, generators, motorcycles, and others. What’s more, many Americans are unaware of the dangers of high ethanol fuels. A recent Harris Poll commissioned by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute shows that more than 3 in 5 Americans mistakenly assume any gas sold at a gas station is safe for their gas-powered products. Additionally, many gas stations have E15 labels smaller than a pack of gum. Boat owning Americans who have small, towable boats that they fill up at their local gas stations remain at increased risk of misfueling. 

“Lack of consumer knowledge about the new rule in addition to the demonstrated harmful effects of E15 on certain products make a clear-cut case for the EPA to abandon its proposed rule and protect consumers. While the EPA’s decision to potentially allow additional consumer education and protection measures is welcome news, the agency’s desire to hasten the roll out of the rule achieves the opposite effect. We hope to continue working with the EPA and other industry groups on improving labeling, strengthening consumer education, and otherwise mitigating the disastrous effects of this new rule.” 

MRAA is planning to submit testimony on this rulemaking in the coming weeks, and encourages any interested party to do the same.

If you have questions, please contact MRAA Public Policy Manager, Will Higgins.

MRAA breaks early registration records with Dealer Week

Registration for the inaugural event has outpaced previous MRAA conferences.

Dealer Week, the all-new MRAA Conference and Expo, concluded its “Earliest Bird” registration period on March 31 and broke all previous records for early registration at an MRAA event.

More than 250 dealership personnel have committed to Dealer Week, which represents a nearly 30-percent increase over early registration for the most recent MRAA conference. Not only that, those numbers represent registrants committed at the end of March, whereas past early registration periods have not opened until April.

“We knew there was excitement surrounding Dealer Week and our move to Tampa,” said Matt Gruhn, MRAA president. “It’s thrilling to us to have broken our early registration record before the date on which we normally open registration. In our view, this demonstrates the power of focusing on providing real-world solutions for our dealers and reinforces the strength of the educational programming and the event experience that MRAA has always delivered.”

Dealer Week represents a reimagining of the annual MRAA conference and expo. The event recently revealed its lineup of Education Hosts, its schedule and launched exhibitor registration.

“At MRAA, our team and our partners know that the success of our industry hinges on the success of our dealers,” said Mike Davin, MRAA director of education. “We are working hard every day to deliver on the expectation for world-class educational programming, an immersive event and experience, and a robust platform for business solutions. It’s rewarding to see such a large number of dealers demonstrate their faith in our ability to deliver on that promise before we’ve released all the details.”

About Dealer Week
For more than 40 years, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has delivered world class educational programming to dealers, retailers and service operations that power the boating industry and serve today’s boaters. Dealer Week evolves as MRAA’s rebranded and reimagined annual conference and expo, a profoundly new event experience designed to engage, energize and empower the dealer community. The MRAA envisions a brighter future for marine retail, and Dealer Week is the preeminent means for bringing that vision to life. Learn more at dealerweek.com.
 
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the MRAA, our team believes that for the marine industry to thrive, the dealers on the front lines of the industry must first find success. With that in mind, we work to create a strong and healthy boating industry by providing dealers with tools, resources and educational programs — such as MRAATraining.com, the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program, and Dealer Week, The MRAA Conference & Expo — and by representing those businesses with a powerful voice. For more information, visit mraa.com.

Sea Tow Foundation Appoints Higgins to Serve on Inaugural Sober Skipper Advisory Council

Key Influencers from Multiple Marine Industry Segments Tapped for Safe Boating Collaboration

The Sea Tow Foundation has selected 13 marine industry stakeholders to serve on its newly launched North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council, with the goal to collaborate on current and future boating safety messages including its popular Sober Skipper campaign.

“The Sea Tow Foundation is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the non-profit recreational boating safety community and the for-profit boating industry with the launch of the Sober Skipper Advisory Council,” said Executive Director Gail R. Kulp. “The highly qualified group of individuals that were nominated and subsequently appointed to serve on this inaugural council bring extremely valuable insight and unique perspectives which will help us to strengthen industry messaging, awareness and adoption of boating safety initiatives.”

Members of the inaugural Sea Tow Foundation North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council will serve a two-year term. Appointees in alphabetical order include:

  • David Connolly, Partner, TH Connolly & Sons Inc.
  • David Dickerson, VP State Government Relations, NMMA
  • Jim Emmons, Non-Profit Outreach Grants Director, Water Sports Foundation, Inc.
  • Kevin Falvey, Editorial Director, Boating Magazine/Bonnier
  • Mike Hankins, Operations Director, Crevalle Boats
  • Will Higgins, Public Policy Manager, MRAA
  • John Jost, Director of Marine Solutions, Ken Cook Co.
  • Captain Keith Lake, Delivery Captain, MarineMax
  • Dave Marlow, Director, Product Integrity/Government Affairs, Brunswick Corporation
  • Captain Frank Stoeber, Team Development Manager, Regal Boats
  • Nic Thomas, Corporate Director of Dock Operations, Freedom Boat Club
  • Stephanie Vatalaro, Senior VP Marketing & Communications, RBFF
  • Annamarie Worrell, Boat Club & Marketing Manager, Emerald Coast Marine Group

In addition, an executive committee of four will direct and facilitate advisory council efforts including Gail R. Kulp; Michael Wesolowski. Sea Tow Foundation Director of External Relations; Kristen Frohnhoefer, Sea Tow Foundation Board President; and Wanda Kenton Smith, president, Kenton Smith Marketing.

“Our executive committee was extremely pleased by the high level of interest and the positive response when we announced plans a few months ago to establish this council and extended the nationwide call for nominations,” said Kulp. “While our new council membership represents broad segments of the boating industry, everyone involved shares a strong passion for and commitment to boating safety. Our executive committee is very excited to get underway and to collaborate with these industry stakeholders in this important effort.”

About the Sea Tow Foundation Sober Skipper Program
Launched in 2015 and enjoying established partnerships with more than 130 organizations in 32 states, the Sober Skipper program encourages boaters to be or to designate a Sober Skipper before they leave the dock to promote safe, fun boating experiences for all, with the ultimate goal to reduce the number of boating accidents and deaths on North American waterways.To learn more about the Sea Tow Foundation’s North American Sober Skipper program, please visit www.soberskipper.com.

About Sea Tow Foundation
With a focus on safe boating practices that result in fun on the water, the Sea Tow Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – was established in 2007 by Sea Tow Founder Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer. After his passing in 2015, Captain Joe’s legacy continues as the Foundation brings attention to the number of preventable boating- related accidents, injuries, and deaths, and directly addresses prevention methods through education and awareness. More than 500 life jacket loaner stands are now available across the United States and the Foundation’s Sober Skipper program continues to grow. For more information on the Sea Tow Foundation, please visit BoatingSafety.com.

NMTA Opens 2020 Grow Boating Grant Application Process

The Northwest Marine Trade Association’s (NMTA) Grow Boating Grant Program announced it has given $27,083 in funding or loan opportunities to 21 boating programs in the Pacific Northwest. Over the past 16 years the program has invested more than $2-million in funding to non-profit groups or organizations that help boost the number of boaters and watercraft users and encourages boaters to use their boat more often. The Grow Boating Program is funded through a surcharge on square-footage rented during the Seattle Boat Show.

This year 33 applicants submitted a request of $169,337, and the Grow Boating Committee members spent the past two months pouring over the requests, which were all noteworthy in one way or another.

“The committee has gone through another successful grant process for 2019, putting members’ funds to good use to increase boating activity, education and excitement around the Pacific Northwest,” said Joe Cline, the NMTA’s Grow Boating Committee Chairman.

Those awarded in 2019 with funding supported a very diverse area that includes everything from power and sail boats; smaller watercraft like kayaks, canoes and paddle- and sail-boards; learn to sail guide publication; equipment and gear; promotional and marketing funding; to educational youth events and outreach programs.

The NMTA Grow Boating Committee oversees the management and allocation of NMTA’s regional Grow Boating fund, and determines what programs, events and promotions should be undertaken to encourage boating in the Northwest.

2019 Grant funding was awarded to:

  • Anacortes Waterfront Alliance: $1,000 for youth week-long sailing programs and loan for dinghies.
  • Bellingham Yacht Club: $500 toward youth sailing and boating instruction, scholarships and marketing.
  • Clam Island Rowing: $400 to cover Boater Education Card fees and for gear, instruction, maintenance and marketing.
  • Gig Harbor Boat Shop: $900 for supplies, materials, equipment and help fund free summer boat rental days to engage a new audience.
  • Lopez Island Family Resource: $1,500 for scholarships and maintenance to a small rural community with little access to structured youth sailboat programs.
  • Maple Bay Yacht Club Junior Program: $1,000 to fund expansion of junior program that offers a free community boating event in June.
  • Metro Park Tacoma, Point Defiance Park: $2,000 offset boat rental rates and educational instruction for Free Fishing Weekend in June.
  • Multihull Youth Sail Foundation “My Sail”: $2,000 to help their youth programs get off the ground plus a loan offer to purchase a Hobie 16.
  • Northwest Maritime Center, Port Townsend: $5,000 pilot project to create 20,000 printed “Learn to Sail” guides and post the guide online.
  • Oregon Women’s Sailing Association: $750 for education materials, safety gear and meeting fees for their women’s intro to sailing classes.
  • PNW Chapter of Antique Classic Boat Show in Renton: $600 for launch fees and lifejackets for a free boat show as part of the Renton River Days on July 27.
  • Port Angeles Yacht Club Sailing Program: $1,000 for marketing purposes, plus initiatives to get adult/youth on the water and improve their free boating day events.
  • Renton Sailing Center: $1,000 for sailboat maintenance to a longstanding all-volunteer program promoting and growing sailing.
  • Sail Sand Point: $2,500 to fund youth scholarships at camps and build an outreach program toward at-risk kids in the community.
  • Schooner Martha Foundation: $833 for maintenance, moorage, staff time and overhead toward a spring public school youth sailing series.
  • Sea Scout Ship 100 Charles N. Curtis: $1,000 to purchase Furuno GPS that will replace an outdated version.
  • Shaw Island Youth Sailing Program: $500 for PFDs, first aid kit and instructing materials for youth boating and sailing programs.
  • Sound Experience: $2,000 to help pay for 143 students including underserved teens interested in an on-water experience program.
  • Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club: $500 to cover insurance, State Park fees and marketing for the “Paddle, Splash and Play” summer event.
  • Tidewater Cove Marina: $100 for signage for their “Wear It” lifejacket station and committee will find help for lifejacket donations.
  • The Center for Wooden Boats: $2,000 for maintenance and pay for 8,000 brochures to create opportunities for engagement of visitors.

About the Northwest Marine Trade Association
The NMTA is the nation’s largest regional marine association. It represents more than 700 companies in the recreational boating industry, including boat dealers, boat brokers, marinas, boatyards, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers of boating accessories and services. The NMTA’s mission is to promote the growth of recreational boating and members’ businesses. The NMTA produces the Seattle Boat Show, the West Coast’s largest boat show, Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show and the Northwest Paddling Festival. Learn more at www.nmta.net.