The 1987 MRAA Conference was deemed a success. The Caesars Palace welcomed a record-setting number of marine dealers, the first Woman of the Year was recognized, and the number of accessory exhibitors increased by 90% over the previous year.
Envision a brighter future
Envision.
[en-vizh–uh n] verb. imagine as a future possibility; visualize
When you close your eyes and envision your future, what do you see? Are those vivid pictures centered around your family? Perhaps on that dream vacation or in retirement? Do you imagine professional accomplishment like bountiful sales or a new location? Or are you dreaming of something even more aspirational, like smooth operations with no HR headaches or odd-hour service calls?
Over here at the MRAA, our team envisions a brighter future for marine retail. We envision a day when the fundamental problems that lead to today’s less-than-ideal boat buying and ownership experiences are behind us. We envision a day when we work hand-in-hand, on an even deeper level, with our manufacturer and supplier partners to aid in the success of our dealers. And we envision a day when, together, we can propel boating, once again, to the No. 1 choice in outdoor recreation.
It’s a lofty vision for sure, but rest assured, that your MRAA staff is made up of a dozen of the hardest-working, most passionate marine industry professionals anyone could dream of working alongside. Our mission is to provide you and your team with the tools, resources and educational opportunities that will inspire you and empower you to reach the growth and success goals you set.
Translated, that means the future you envision is the future we envision. And no matter how you define success, your MRAA team wants to help you get there. Especially if it’s that dream vacation and you want us to go with.
MRAA History: “Change…for the better”
The theme of the 1985 MRAA Annual Conference was “Change… for the better.” If you could make one change to MRAA’s Annual Conference today, what would it be?
Committed Schools Support Workforce Development in the Marine Industry
Momentum Building: Four Schools in Three Weeks Obtain ABYC’s Marine Service Curriculum
The American Boat & Yacht Council’s (ABYC) has announced that in this month of September, four schools have enrolled in their “Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology” curriculum program.
The program was built to help secondary and post-secondary schools easily implement standards based marine service curriculum, with an inland or coastal focus. Additionally, a nationally recognized competency certificate is available for program completers who successfully pass an exam administered by the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI).
“We are thrilled that schools from all over the country are expressing interest and hope that more and more young people will be inspired to pursue a rewarding career in the marine industry,” said Ed Sherman ABYC education director. “This should be good news to all concerned about the workforce crisis as schools are better prepared to train future applicants.”
Participating schools receive a textbook, instructor guides, PowerPoint presentations, sample test questions and online videos.
“ABYC addresses all of our needs in one easy to read, comprehensive book and the new curriculum package will make it even easier for our marine program to excel moving forward, said Rob Berenwick, instructor at Ocean County Vocational Technical School. “Partnering with ABYC was a no-brainer when we were presented with the vast resources for me as the instructor and my students.”
Schools currently enrolled with marine service program include:
- Ocean County Vocational Technical School – Toms River, New Jersey
- Portland Arts & Technology High School – Portland, Maine
- Mount Desert Island High School – Bar Harbor, Maine
- Center for Applied Technology – Edgewater, Maryland
- Mid-Coast School of Technology – Rockland, Maine
- North Providence High School – North Providence, Rhode Island
- Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry and Technology – Page, Arizona
Industry support is requested to spread the word to local networks and community schools. To learn more about ABYC’s Marine Service Technology Program visit www.abycinc.org/marineservice.
Brunswick and the MRAA Partner for Healthcare and Extended Service Contracts
Brunswick Corporation’s dealer services program, Brunswick Dealer Advantage (BDA), and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, have announced a partnership which will provide Brunswick marine dealers with access to healthcare options through MRAA Health, while providing MRAA dealers with access to extended service contract sales through Brunswick Product Protection.
“MRAA and BDA are both dedicated to providing dealerships with the resources they need to thrive, and we are excited to be partnering,” explained Matt Gruhn, president of the MRAA. “The MRAA Health and Brunswick Product Protection opportunities now available through this partnership are just the beginning of the benefits Brunswick dealers and MRAA dealer members will experience as we continue to align and share resources.”
Facilitated by Bukaty Companies, the MRAA Health program delivers reduced-cost health insurance to businesses across the United States. Bukaty Companies is a preferred partner for several major insurance providers, and their relationships, passed through the MRAA Health program, makes this program available in all 50 States. MRAA Health will now be a key program available through BDA, which is designed to help Brunswick dealers attract more customers, reward and retain employees, and improve operational efficiencies.
“Over the years, Brunswick dealers have continued to request an offering from the BDA program to help solve their dealership healthcare needs,” said Kirsten Schuchardt, director of sales and dealer services for Boating Services Network. “We are excited to be working with the MRAA and Bukaty Companies to be able to provide them with a real solution.”
In addition to health insurance benefits, Bukaty Companies offers dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life, critical illness, accident and identity theft insurance. This unified program also extends COBRA, FSA, HSA, FMLA opportunities, as well as wellness programs, HR and compliance support and training, in customized programs that best fit each individual dealer’s needs.
“One of the things that we like the best about this program is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach,” says Nikki Duffney, MRAA member development manager. “Bukaty Companies really takes the pain out of finding the right insurance program and delivers our members the absolute best program for them, their business and their employees. And to date, we’re proud to report that our members are seeing significant savings.”
Brunswick marine dealers interested in accessing an insurance quote from Bukaty Companies can log onto the BDA website at www.brunswickdealeradvantage.com and fill out the simple, one-page quote request form. To activate a quote from Bukaty Companies, Brunswick dealers will need to be active MRAA members. To confirm membership or to become a member, Brunswick dealers can call 763-315-8043 or go to www.mraa.com/memberships.
As part of this partnership, MRAA members will now have access to Passport and Passport Premier extended engine and accessory protection plans for recreational power boats through Brunswick Product Protection. Passport and Passport Premier offer industry-leading breadth of coverage at competitive pricing to the dealer, often adding significant profits to each boat sale while helping participating dealers to deliver a first-class purchase experience. Important downstream service revenues are also realized as most claims work is returned to the dealership where the customer bought the extended protection.
“We are very pleased to make our product protection brand available to MRAA Dealers, all with the superior service levels our existing dealers already receive,” said Jason Cochran, director of sales and operations for Brunswick Product Protection. “We support dealers’ total business by covering engines and accessories on most types of recreational power boats, and now we will be able to support MRAA dealers as well.”
The Passport program provides competitively priced, entry-level coverage for almost all brands and types of power boats. Passport Premier offers the program’s most comprehensive engine component coverage. This includes unique non-defective engine breakdown protection against overheating, scored pistons and much more. The accessory plans protect the major components throughout the vessel and are custom tailored to the customer’s boat type. MRAA members interested in offering the program can call Brunswick Product Protection at 800-950-3808.
MRAA Seeks 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Applications
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has opened the nomination period for the 2nd Annual Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes marine retail professionals who have made fundamental, significant and sustained contributions to the marine industry.
Last year, Don Galey, Galey’s Marine, Bakersfield, Calif., was named the first recipient of the award. Galey contributed to several major milestones within the industry, including the creation of the MRAA, the launch of Spader Business Management / MRAA 20 Groups, and the introduction of floorplan financing for marine dealers.
The selection of the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be made on the basis of the nominee’s contributions to the industry; the lasting impact of those contributions; and the demonstration of a lifetime commitment to the business of selling and/or servicing boats, and the delivery of an outstanding boating lifestyle to consumers.
“It was an honor to present Don Galey with the first-ever MRAA Lifetime Achievement award in a room full of industry professionals who have been impacted by his life’s work,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “As a result of individual leaders like Don, our industry continues to evolve and strengthen for future generations. We look forward to recognizing another individual this year for their lasting impact on marine retailing.”
The award will be presented on December 9, 2018, on the opening night of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, at the MRAA Opening Night Awards Celebration. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit here.
Nominations for the MRAA Lifetime Achievement Award may be submitted by anyone, including self-nominations. Nominations may not be made anonymously, as the burden of offering evidence of merit falls on the nominator. Those nominations should include the nominee’s resume and/or career summary; a comprehensive description of the nominee’s major contributions to marine retailing, with supporting documentation; and at least three letters of endorsement, providing further evidence of the significance and magnitude of the nominee’s professional achievements.
Anyone who lives up to these criteria is eligible for consideration, although individuals selected for this award should normally be in or near their retirement. The award may be received posthumously.
Regal & Nautique of Orlando Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Announces Major Building Expansion Plans
A crowd of more than 300 including key marine industry leaders and watersports VIPs and athletes recently gathered to celebrate and toast top-ranked boat dealer Regal & Nautique of Orlando’s 10th anniversary in Central Florida. The event was highlighted by the official announcement and grand unveiling of major new dealership building expansion plans slated for 2019.
According to owner and GM Jeff Husby, Regal & Nautique of Orlando will build a new $2.5 million, 15,000 square foot retail showroom and service center immediately adjacent to its existing I-4 facing property located at 2226 Paseo Avenue. The new facility at 2300 Division Street will expand the dealership’s total footprint from 8100 square feet on 2.07 acres to an estimated 23,100 square feet on 3.4 acres, right in the heart of Orlando.
Husby notes that the new building will feature Nautique Boats exclusively and will sport up to 16 models in an air-conditioned showroom. It will also house five air-controlled service bays, with room for future expansion. The dealership is presently conferring with senior members of Nautique’s corporate leadership team with the goal to create a spectacular, world-class Nautique showcase.
Upon launch of the new facility, the current property is expected to undergo some minor renovations and will become a dedicated showroom and service facility for Regal Boats, along with Moomba Boats.
“We appreciate the fantastic support and well wishes received from our many friends and colleagues in the marine industry, along with scores of loyal customers who have helped us become the top sport boat market share leader in Central Florida,” said Husby. “I’m really proud of my team and all of their hard work and effort over the past ten years that allows us to facilitate continued growth. Our new expansion will allow us to further elevate the customer experience by offering dedicated sales, service and parts for all the brands we represent. This will significantly enhance our inventories and ability to expedite service with a more dedicated focus.”
Regal & Nautique of Orlando, founded in 2008 by Husby and partners Marc Hooker and Bob Secrist, is an award-winning retailer ranked in the Top 20 dealers of North America by Boating Industry Magazine. The dealership is Nautique’s #2 dealer in North America and Regal’s 2018 #1 Worldwide CSI Dealer, also ranked #6 in Worldwide Sales. The dealership is a Five-Star Marine Certified Dealer and a multi-year recipient of the “CSI Excellence in Dealer Service” awards by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Regal & Nautique of Orlando has also received regional distinction as the 5x winner of the “Best Boat Dealer in Orlando” by Orlando Style Magazine, and a 4x “Best Bets” recipient by the Orlando Sentinel.
Dealer to Dealer: September
What do you do to foster teamwork between dealership departments?
“We provide lunch for our entire crew, every day, 12 months a year. When we are extremely busy, the crew will eat on the run and not leave the dealership. When things are little slower we gather around while eating and have a daily meeting from all departments in order to address problems and listen to suggestions. We work with a local restaurant to provide lunch daily for $60.00. Granted it’s close to $20k a year, but all it takes is a couple missed boat sales or infuriated customers because of the lack of staff over the lunch hour to cost us even more!” – Dennis Robbins, Robbins Marine
Each month, MRAA connects with dealership management on a timely and relevant topic and publishing their insights at MRAA.com. Tell us what you have to say about this month’s question by commenting below and participating in the conversation. Also, watch for next month’s question.
CMTA Surmounts Outreach, Educational, and Scholarship Programs to Combat Workforce Crisis
Essex, CT. – There are job opportunities within the recreational boating segment that are going unfilled, and hundreds of them are here in Connecticut. Statistics from the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas estimate that by 2019, there will be over 30,000 budgeted positions available nationwide but left open within the sector due to a lack of applicants, appropriate training and educational programs.
“Marine trades are often overlooked as a career, but they do offer full-time, year-round job opportunities, a variety of occupations, certification, degrees, and clear lifetime career paths, especially for those in technical or mechanical positions,” according to Kathleen Burns, Executive Director of the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA).
To further foster educational and workforce development opportunities in the recreational boating industry in Connecticut, help fill existing positions and prepare the next generation of potential employees, the CMTA is surmounting new initiatives and expanding upon some of its long-running programs. The CMTA and many other boating related state and trade organizations have also supported the development of an instructional piece dedicated to growing the workforce, targeting national, regional and employer-level implementation: Strategy 10+1: A Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce.
The newly formed CMTA Foundation, a 501(C)(3) organization, expands the CMTA’s seven year old scholarship program, now to include grants, and program and curriculum development. It is the sole mission of the Foundation to fill both the skills gap and marine workforce shortage through scholarship, program development and training. The CMTA Annual Golf Tournament held in August at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield, Connecticut was the first event to benefit the new foundation, and a $1,500 scholarship from the MRAA was announced which will be awarded in the area of technical training. A joint press conference was held with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) opening day of the Progressive Norwalk Boat Show, which NMMA produces, to announce the CMTA Foundation’s formation, its initiatives, and NMMA’s commitment to encourage manufacturers and dealers to participate in its efforts.
Randy Jennings of Beacon Point Marine is serving as the CMTA Foundation’s Chairman, Shannon McKenzie of the Mystic Seaport Museum is Vice Chairman, Dave Croker of Crocker’s Boatyard is Secretary/Treasurer, and other members include Scott Bowden of Port Niantic Marina, Ron Helbig of Noank Village Boatyard and Lynn Oliver of Brewer/Safe Harbor Marinas. CMTA member input is being sought, and the board is undertaking a needs assessment to further develop the concept of the foundation.
Jennings, a product of Shelton High School and the Bridgeport Aquaculture School is an example of the type of career paths available in boating. His parents owned a boat, and at the age of 12 he started working on the gas dock at a small family run marina in Shelton. He moved on to Beacon’s Shelton yard while in high school, simultaneously finishing high school and the Aquaculture program. He continued to work at Beacon, graduated from New England Institute of Technology with a marine technology degree and has quickly risen through the company from mechanic to now serving as Service Manager.
“There are many misperceptions about working in our industry and it’s important for us to get the word out that there are plenty of jobs available, and lots of opportunities in various capacities. Working in recreational boating is not just a part time job, but it can be a career for a lifetime,” Jennings said. “The businesses that we work for are not large corporations, and for the most part are family run organizations. It is an industry in which employees are cultivated and treated like family,” he added.
According to Burns, the workforce pressures affect approximately 537 small businesses across the state which facilitate the purchasing, storing, servicing and caring for boats. “The workforce shortages will potentially stagnate a growing industry from an economic stand point. The realities of our members’ day-to-day struggles are that they are small businesses, averaging between $1 million to $2 million per year in sales, with an average of 15 workers. Without sufficient staffing and technical expertise, they cannot service their customers and run their businesses to the best of their ability.”
The CMTA and NMMA hosted the their third annual Career Day at the Norwalk show, September 21, as an informational “Boating Careers More than a Job” session for students. Burns was joined by Lynn Oliver and manufacturer representatives to discuss the various opportunities in boating and job openings in the state. There are currently significant shortages in filling positions of licensed captains, as well as certified marine technicians and mechanics, with a list of openings available at http://ctmarinetrades.org/education/.
The Strategy 10+1 guide outlines the challenges facing the boating segment; that as an industry, recreational boating provides a fun, lifestyle based career pathway that can be very attractive to the rising employment pool, but that cultivating a talent pipeline requires that current marine industry, employers commit to an active role in training for the potential workforce, for new hires and for their existing workforce.
According to McKenzie, who serves as Director of Watercraft Programs at the Mystic Seaport Museum, collaborating with school districts and technical schools across the state is going to be a key initiative for the CMTA Foundation. “We need to create career awareness, provide support of training programs through hands on assistance and publicity, as well as support STEM programs that compliment boat building, construction or mechanical training programs,” she said.
CMTA Foundation outreach and engagement has already been made with The Sound School (New Haven), the J. M. Wright Technical High School (Stamford), Norwalk Community College, Bridgeport Aquaculture School, Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School (Groton), and Waterford High School. In the past, the CMTA’s Hartford Boat Show has also hosted student boat building programs from the Thompson Public School District and A Piece of the Pie (Hartford), as well as conducted career fairs at the show.
Both Burns and Jennings noted that since the July 1 sales tax reduction on boats, motors and trailers, Connecticut is seeing boaters return to its waters, an influx of new boaters, and dealers and marinas are reporting brisk sales. But the activity of the season has created a void in the workplace that the CMTA is trying to fill. “While many of our members already had budgeted open positions, the brisk business has exasperated the demand, and we want to help foster as many individuals as we can that are interested in pursuing opportunities in recreational boating to help them find a career path, hone their skills and to be able to fill these positions,” Burn said.
In addition to the CMTA Foundation initiatives, The CMTA is working with many of the participants of the Strategy 10+1 guide and other associations to build national and regional networksthat include marine employers, schools, related industries and suppliers that can spread the word as to the current openings and future possibilities of career development in the recreational boating sector. At its 50th Annual Hartford Boat show in January 2019, the CMTA is also planning to highlight boating workforce opportunities, school and training programs through its second annual Windows to the Future section within its exhibit hall.
As a 501(C)(3) organization, The CMTA Foundation is accepting donations and endowments. For more information, contact Kathleen Burns at kathleen@ctmarinetrades.org.
MRAA and ORR Support Sound Trade Policies, Warn Against Tariff Impacts
While the outdoor recreation industry supports fair international trade policies and efforts to protect U.S. business interests in the global market, recent trade policy developments have threatened continued growth in this critical $673 billion industry. We understand the Administration’s efforts to safeguard U.S. intellectual property and balance unfair trade deficits, however recent tariffs have prompted significant cost increases from our steel, aluminum and component part suppliers leading to reduced domestic sales while putting our export-based businesses at risk. These tariffs ultimately result in higher consumer prices for outdoor recreational products, as well as tightened profit margins for the growing industry.
The outdoor recreation sector is comprised of a diverse collection of U.S. and foreign manufacturers of an array of products frequently used by outdoor recreationists. These products – including hiking and camping equipment, as well as a variety of other motorized and non-motorized recreational products – are engineered and designed to meet exacting U.S. environmental and safety standards, many of which have been adopted by our trade partners. Some of these products/components are manufactured in the U.S. and exported to foreign markets, while others are produced abroad and imported to the U.S. Given this reality, these manufacturers are significantly impacted by the imposition of domestic and retaliatory foreign tariffs on both component parts and finished products. Further, price increases and supply chain disruptions that result from tariffs will likely make U.S. manufacturers less competitive in the global marketplace.
Combined, the robust outdoor recreation industry comprises 2% of the U.S. GDP – surpassing other sectors such as agriculture, petroleum and coal, and computer and electronic products. The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported in February 2018 that the outdoor recreation sector is an economic powerhouse that supports 4.3 million jobs, and accounts for $673 billion in annual gross domestic output. In addition, BEA found the outdoor recreation economy grew by 3.8 percent in 2016, exceeding the 2.8 percent growth of the overall U.S. economy during the same period. Numerous initiatives and efforts of the Administration have helped fuel the outdoor recreation industry’s growth, but current trade policies now pose significant challenges.
ORR continues to work with the Administration and Congress to emphasize the impact of trade policy on the growing outdoor recreation industry as policymakers strive to address a structural, global issue and legislate in this arena. It is clear that outdoor recreation is one of the largest engines of economic growth that consistently creates many jobs for hardworking rural Americans while also reducing the trade deficit; however, trade uncertainty is threatening this trajectory. ORR will be a valuable resource to the Administration and the Congress in the development of impactful and sound trade policies.
If you have any questions about legislative issues, or something happening in your state, please contact Will Higgins.
