National Safe Boating Council Offers Free Boating Safety Resources

The National Boating Safe Boating Council is offering dealerships free resources to support boating and water safety efforts. While supplies last, dealerships and marinas can receive a Safe Boating Campaign box set to display and use within their businesses.

Choose from the following sets:

  • Safe Boating Guidelines Box Set
    Includes packets of the following brochures and booklets: Be Smart, Be Safe Paddling; U.S. Aids to Navigation; Federal Requirements; Choose to Boat Safely; and Choose the Right Life Jacket.
     
  • Safe Boating Preparedness Box Set
    Includes packets of the following brochures, booklets and DVDs: Ten Tons and No Brakes; Emergency Radio Call Procedures; Almost a Perfect Day DVD; Life Jacket Worn…Nobody Mourns DVD; Saved by the Signal; Saved by the Beacon; and VHF Marine Radio.
     
  • Wear It Swag Box Set
    Includes various Wear It swag items: Life Jacket Pledge Cards, Stickers, Wristbands, Challenge Coins and Dry Bags.
     
  • Wear It T-Shirts Box Set
    Includes Wear It t-shirts in various sizes and designs.

Submit your order, now to receive your box set!

Interested in the other resources that the NSBC provides? Please browse downloadable resources at www.safeboatingcampaign.com.

Due to limited quantities, only one of each box set is available per entity while supplies last. If an item is no longer available, a substitution may be made at the discretion of the NSBC. Additional box sets may be available later this spring. Orders may only be shipped within North America. Please direct any questions to orders@safeboatingcouncil.org.

Experiences > Products

Experiences are greater than material products.

I’ve been hearing this mantra from many directions lately. For example, Instagram is using influencers and ads to capture the experience you will get from engaging with the product – to capture the feelings and emotions tied to using their product. Going to a conference has changed; it used to be the land of samples, dry education, and services or product information. Today’s conferences have focus on the guest experience; food and drinks, location, engaging education and entertainment, and community building.

The membership team at MRAA went to a seminar in early April, the Secrets to Engagement, to learn about how we can continually improve how we serve our members. The emphasis on impressions and experiences was impactful, and it helped us take a look at how we welcome new members into the association.

We know marine retailers join for our tools, resources and education – what can we offer as the staff to turn our products into experiences? It seems so simple as I put these words down: It’s about the human interaction; it’s about making people feel important and heard; it’s about responding to a need with compassion and support. MRAA members are our customers, and we need to maintain focus on how to continually improve how we deliver excellence with interactions that result in meaningful experiences.

To further develop this thinking, the MRAA staff is participating in the elite education put together by the Continuous Certification team for Certified Dealers in quarter two – “Improve Customer Loyalty with a Customer Experience Mindset,” by Theresa Syer. Theresa points to a similar mantra around experiences; detailing the emotional experience that retailers must deliver to move from delivering in customer service to deliver an engaging customer experience. When customers visit a marine retailer, the staff needs to focus on the experiential mindset that combines the sum of all moments while at the dealership. That means the entire staff ensures the guest feels cared for and addresses their needs in an intuitive and human way. It seems obvious, I know, but it’s challenging in practice. Theresa underscores the importance of success in this area, however, when she says, “The Human Factor is the behavior that directly influences your customer based on how you made them feel.”

The time for change on how we deliver on experiences over selling products is now. We only have one moment to make a lasting impression that could create a loyal, raving fan of a customer. And the boating industry is noticing this trend. We need to shift from selling boats (the product) to remaining focused on delivering boaters a world-class lifestyle (the experience). What can we do to increase the positive experiences for customers, members, and guests, to impact future spending and commitment to each of our unique brands? In some cases, it will be as simple as a genuine smile!

Are you interested in learning more about enhancing the customer experience at your dealership? The Marine Industry Certified Dealership program has the template for developing the resources and processes to create loyal fans as customers.

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Outlines Priorities With Beltway and Industry Leaders

ORR Serves as Nation’s Premier Outdoor Recreation Coalition Representing Significant Sector of U.S. Economy

Congressional and administration officials joined recreation industry leaders, including the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, yesterday to mark the formal launch of the nation’s premier coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. The event provided a platform for the group to officially outline its priorities as it works to educate decision makers on Capitol Hill about the importance of the outdoor recreation economy and ensure our nation’s public lands and waters remain accessible for outdoor enthusiasts.

Yesterday’s Capitol Hill reception brought together a bipartisan group of lawmakers and staff – including seven Members of Congress – committed to enhancing America’s great outdoors and increasing public accessibility through common-sense policy solutions. With attendance on public lands and waters dwindling and facilities aging, ORR aims to ensure an attractive and enjoyable experience for visitors. From WiFi availability to refurbished marinas, infrastructure upgrades must be a priority. Due to the maintenance back-log and budget shortfall facing our National Park System, private partnerships and funding can make these much-needed upgrades a reality. What’s more, adequate access for outdoor recreation on our public lands and waters deserves attention. In this arena, ORR’s priorities range from revamping the permitting process so it runs more efficiently, reducing permitting periods from what can often take years, to ensuring land and water management decisions fully balance conservation and access so outdoor enthusiasts aren’t wrongfully restricted from experiencing public spaces.

During the bipartisan congressional reception at the Rayburn House Office Building, ORR emphasized the importance of the outdoor recreation industry to the U.S. economy. The launch also included the unveiling of a new website, www.RecreationRoundtable.org, which will serve as a resource to learn more about the industry’s economic impact, the coalition’s membership and the latest outdoor recreation news from across the country.

Earlier in the day, outdoor recreation leaders met with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to discuss the role of the department’s new Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee, which will serve as a collaborative panel to facilitate public-private partnerships that improve public lands and waters. Discussions with the secretary also included ways that the Interior Department, which manages more than 25 percent of the American landscape, can elevate outdoor recreation as a federal priority.

 “It is a landmark day for the outdoor recreation industry in the United States,” said Thom Dammrich, ORR chair and president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “From boating and fishing to camping and hiking, we are united in working toward a shared goal of making outdoor recreation a national priority. Our public lands and waters are vital to our daily lives as Americans as well as to our larger economy. As outdoor enthusiasts and organizations that represent millions of workers across the country, together, we can ensure outdoor recreation remains a treasured pastime and economic driver.”
 
Yesterday’s events follow the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) report that found the outdoor recreation industry’s annual gross output to be $673 billion, surpassing other sectors such as agriculture, petroleum and coal, and computer and electronic products. This was the first time BEA, the government agency responsible for reporting U.S. GDP, included the outdoor recreation industry in its calculations. In addition, BEA found that outdoor recreation makes up 2 percent of the U.S. GDP and has increased an average of 4.4 percent since 2012, significantly greater than the 3.6 percent average increase in the overall U.S. GDP.

“This is an exciting time for recreational boating and the outdoor economy as a whole, said Will Higgins, Public Policy Manager for Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “The formation of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable along with figures from the BEA not only gives our industry a stronger voice, but it also emphasizes the fact that outdoor recreation is a strong economic driver and job creator.”
 
“America’s outdoor recreation industry is finally being recognized by national leaders for its importance to the health of the U.S. economy, and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is going to play a major role in advocating for policies that ensure we can continue being a driving economic force,” said ORR Vice Chair Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the RV Industry Association. “Our members serve the nation’s millions of outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and our top priority is to advocate for policies that will provide them with a better experience through improved public lands and waters infrastructure. Doing so will lead to an enhanced recreation economy that benefits all Americans.”
 
ORR’s policy agenda includes several key pillars that will improve the outdoor recreation economy and enhance America’s public lands and waters for generations. The agenda includes:

  • Fostering collaboration between the outdoor recreation industry and federal policy makers;
  • Removing barriers that prevent improvement and maintenance of public lands through public-private partnerships;
  • Prioritizing accessibility of public lands so that more Americans can enjoy the great outdoors;
  • Advancing balanced policies that conserve public lands and waterways so that they can be accessed and enjoyed today and by future generations of Americans; and
  • Ensuring that the outdoor recreation economy is recognized by policymakers for its importance to the health of the overall economy.

Please visit www.RecreationRoundtable.org for more information on the coalition’s activities and membership.

MRAA Member, Marine Connection Launches New Location

April 10, 2018, West Palm Beach, FL – Marine Connection, a nationally ranked #14 boat retailer in 2017 by Boating Industry Magazine, announces the recent addition of its new Islamorada, FL sales location to its roster of four full-service dealerships operating in West Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Vero Beach.

Its fifth new sales facility, located at 80461 Overseas Highway/Mile Marker #80, is an integral part of the forthcoming new Angler’s House Marina & Club, a recently merged two-marina, full-service operation which has just undergone a major $2 million renovation.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the official opening of our new Keys sales operation in what is arguably the premier sportfishing capitol of the world,” said John Kutuk, partner and co-owner with Danny Goldenberg, of Marine Connection. “For boaters seeking a high-end marina experience, our new facility offers it all including a protected bayside location with quick ocean access, plus close proximity to popular local boating and sandbar locations. With so many boat dealerships situated between Key Largo and Marathon on US-1, customers have the opportunity to experience and compare different dealerships. We are excited to now offer the Marine Connection advantage.”

Kutuk expects to generate an additional $3M in sales from this new location which is situated midway between Miami and Key West. The dealership features two popular sportfishing brands including Cobia (20’ to 34’) and Sportsman (17’ to 31’) models, along with used boat and brokerage inventory. Service and accessory/equipment sales are also available via its Miami dealership location.  

“We enthusiastically welcome Marine Connection to the Anglers House Marina & Club,” said Victor Ballestas, marina owner/operator. “Marine Connection has an outstanding reputation for both sales and service within the national boating industry and provides a highly valuable consumer deliverable we didn’t previously offer, which rounds out our full-service marina capability.”

Ballestas, who purchased and has developed both properties over the past two years, said the combined new marina facilities now encompass 12 acres, featuring 35 wet slips and 250 new dry stack storage units. The property also includes a private membership club with resort-style pool; onsite gas/diesel station; 2000-square foot tiki hut used for private membership functions and special events; and a full service bar. Future plans include the launch of a dockside restaurant this fall, along with a 3000-square foot catering hall.  

In addition to the Marine Connection retail space, the complex also includes an onsite boat service facility; scuba and spear fishing services; kayak and paddleboard rentals; plus direct access to 37 independent fishing charter captains.   

“With the addition of our new Islamorada facility, Marine Connection has truly emerged as a major industry presence in Florida, offering a robust, one-stop shop from Vero Beach to the Keys, with a dealership location at every 50 miles on average,” said Kutuk. “We firmly believe in the boating business and have invested significantly over the past few years in new facilities, staff and retail locations. Our goal is to provide superior product and service where the customers are, and to consistently deliver an exceptional, turnkey boating experience.”

Heading Marine Connection’s Islamorada sales operations is Florida Keys native and 10-year boating industry veteran Tommy Brashares who was recently appointed to serve as sales manager.  

For more information, contact Marine Connection owner John Kutuk at (561) 542-5060, or Islamorada Sales Manager Tommy Brashares at (305) 393 3353 ext. 801, or visit www.marineconnection.com

Dealer to Dealer: April

What is your most effective marketing tactic to attract prospective customers to your dealership this time of year?

“We are finding that making contacts at boat show and then inviting them to the dealership has been pretty effective. Whether it is cost effective is another question.” – John Ladner, Breath’s Boats & Motors

“Open houses” – Jim Dragseth, Whiticar Boat Works, Inc.

“On water demo days work well for us.” – Stuart Litjens, Boulder Boats

“Boat handling skills training” – Joe Lewis, Mount Dora Boating Center

“I found using Radio has been very good for us. We have short 30 second commercials played often that way clients know to come to us first.” – Nancy Struthers, Roger’s Marina

 

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 coming soon.

3 Real Changes Dealers are Implementing TODAY

All it takes is one small (or large) change at your dealership to increase your odds of success. At MRAA’s annual conference, the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, we often remind attendees to not bite off more than they can chew and to prioritize a manageable list of their top three conference takeaways home with them. So, to celebrate open registration for the 2018 MDCE, here are three ways 2017 MDCE attendees are maximizing their success right now:

1. Tools and Resources
“We will be implementing the YMCA tool from Schooly [Jordon Schoolmeester, of Garage Composites], re-visiting our process maps, with the staff from each department and making improvements/changes as necessary.” – Vanessa Orchard, C.A.S. Power Marine Ltd.

2. Streamlining and Implementing a CRM System
“We will be able to organize our service and sales departments better, and we will be implementing a CRM system.” – Rufino Cruz, Regal & Nautique of Orlando

3. Creating an Superb Online User Experience
“We took a marketing seminar and the guy was focused on getting websites up to date. It’s inevitable because the world has gotten digital, so we’re going to concentrate on making our website more user friendly and work on our mobile devices as well.” – Derrick Collins, Boat Owners Warehouse

Change is hard, but progress is necessary for the success of your dealership. The 2018 MDCE can help you make incremental improvements to your dealership’s success.

If you are interested in experiencing what other dealers already know, join us at the 2018 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. Click here.

ORR Welcomes Department of Interior’s New Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable welcomed the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement of the members of the newly-established Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee. The Committee is charged with finding solutions that will improve and conserve America’s public parks, lands and waters through strategic public-private partnerships.

The Committee’s membership includes individuals from multiple industry sectors, giving the Interior Department unique perspectives on improving public lands. ORR member organizations—several of which are represented on the Committee, along with ORR President Derrick Crandall—are committed to providing the Committee their ideas and experience to help achieve the best outcomes for the nation’s tens of millions of outdoor recreation enthusiasts. The formation of the Committee came after the Department heard calls from a wide sampling of outdoor recreation groups and advocates seeking a more formal voice on issues affecting the future of outdoor recreation in the United States.

 
“With over 144 million American outdoor recreation enthusiasts and a $673 billion annual economic output, the outdoor recreation industry has an important voice in the policy discussions about the future of America’s public lands and waters,” said Thom Dammrich, ORR chair and president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “We want our leaders to advance policies that will improve the experience of Americans as they enjoy the great outdoors and conserve public resources for future generations. Today is an important step towards meeting those goals, and we appreciate the Interior Department for formalizing this Committee. And ORR wants to reassure all recreation interests that whether they are directly represented on the Committee or not, ORR will work tirelessly to give all recreation interests access to and a strong voice with the Committee and the Administration.”
 
In early 2018, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis —the government agency responsible for reporting U.S. GDP—included the outdoor recreation industry in its calculations for the first time. The BEA found that the outdoor recreation industry makes up 2 percent of U.S. GDP, surpassing other sectors such as agriculture, petroleum and coal, and computer and electronic products. Today’s news is the latest sign that America’s leaders are recognizing the major footprint of the nation’s outdoor recreation economy.
 
“Our industry is dependent on healthy public lands and waters that are responsibly maintained and upgraded,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, ORR vice chair and president of the RV Industry Association. “Visitors to public parks and other lands and waters too often experience worn-out facilities that are long overdue for upgrades, and they are demanding action from our federal leaders. We look forward to working with the Committee members and Interior Department to find solutions that meet the needs of America’s outdoor recreation community and to educate them on the many industries that rely on America’s outdoor recreation economy.”
 
Once active, the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee will be a key source for the Interior Department to learn about the benefits of improving public lands and waters through public-private partnerships. ORR members widely support these partnerships as a smart, efficient way to help ease the maintenance backlog on America’s public lands. The Committee will make recommendations for actions to the Secretary and the Department. ORR members see the Committee appointments as an important first step, but believe that significant changes to Interior programs and policies will be the ultimate measure of the Committee’s importance.
 
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is the nation’s premier coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations. It is committed to advancing the basic elements needed to grow this vital economic sector, including: sound and sustainable management of U.S. public lands and waters, and updating infrastructure and technology on those lands to create quality experiences in response to changing recreation preferences.
 
On April 12, ORR will be formally unveiling a brand-new website showcasing the importance of the outdoor recreation industry to the American economy and the need for commonsense policy solutions to improve America’s public lands. Be sure to bookmark www.RecreationRoundtable.org and visit us on April 12 for this exciting launch.

Department of Interior Secretary Zinke Announces Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund Grant

Last week, U.S. Secretary of Interior, Ryan Zinke, joined Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Kleefisch in announcing the disbursement of Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund grants to support recreational boating and fishing and wildlife restoration in Wisconsin. The grants total over $1.1 billion across the United States. Wisconsin received a check for $34,966,603 that will be used to support state fish and wildlife agencies for fisheries research, habitat improvement, aquatic education and fishing and boating access facilities among other wildlife restoration.

The Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, also known as Dingell-Johnson grants, are funded from fishing licenses and a manufacturers’ excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft and a portion of the gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats. 

Grant announcements were also made in Florida, Colorado, and Ohio.The grants are distributed to states on a yearly basis via a formula. The grants must be used by the state’s fish and game department, require a match of 25% non-federal sources and can be used for management of wildlife/habitat and many other conservation and recreation related projects. 

Read more: http://www.nmma.org/press/article/21844

MDCE Registration Now Open

Dealer registration for the 2018 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo is now open. 

MDCE will take place on December 9 – 12, 2018 in Orlando, Fl., and will host dealers from across the country looking to grow their marine business through educational track sessions, dealer-to-dealer roundtable discussions, and a wide array of marine product and service vendors. MDCE provides dealers with best practice tactics on the topics of leadership, sales, marketing, service and more.

During the month of April, MDCE attendees can receive up to $125 in savings. The earliest-bird registration offers attendees an additional $25 discount over the standard $25 early-bird discount through the April 30. MRAA members receive an additional $75 off by logging into MRAA.com. With 193 total dealer registrations during the month of April in 2017, MDCE organizers expect similar success in 2018.

“With record-breaking dealer attendance last year, we are excited to see what 2018 brings,” says Liz Walz, Vice President and Director of Education for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “We believe that dealers continue to find extreme value in participating year after year and we expect to bring even better opportunities this year.”

In 2017, over 650 dealers attended the three-day conference setting record for retail registrations. The MDCE, is co-produced by the MRAA and Boating Industry magazine. Registrants will still be able to save with the $25 early bird price up until mid-September.

“Taking advantage of early registration is a great way for dealers and attendees to get a jump-start on their 2018 MDCE experience,” says Boating Industry Editor Tim Hennagir.

About the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo
The marine industry’s only dealer-specific educational conference, MDCE offers an in-depth lineup of educational sessions, a full-featured expo hall and a series of fixed networking opportunities, all of which are designed to help marine dealers connect with and learn from others who can foster their success. MDCE is co-produced by MRAA and Boating Industry, and it features four Educational Tracks, Pre-Conference Workshops, Keynote Presentations, a Learning Lab, Dealer-to-Dealer Roundtable Discussions, and an Innovation Spotlight. For more information, visit MarineDealerConference.com.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has been delivering powerful educational programs for marine dealers since 1977. At the MRAA, the team of professionals believes that for the marine industry to thrive, the dealers on the front lines of the industry must first find success. So MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by providing dealers with tools, resources and educational programs, such as its annual conference, and by representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com.

About Boating Industry
Boating Industry is the leading trade magazine serving the marine industry. For more than 85 years, boating professionals have turned to Boating Industry for market intelligence, product updates, best practices and industry news. For more information, visit BoatingIndustry.com.

CellTuck, LLC Increases its Support of the Marine Retailers Association

CellTuck, LLC, a leading dealer website development and management provider, has increased its support of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, upgrading to the highest level of partnership.

“Over the years, here at CellTuck we’ve been so blessed.  Increasing our partnership with the MRAA is our way of passing the blessings forward.  Servicing Dealerships and Manufacturers alike is the core of who we are.” Angie Cellucci, Director at CellTuck.

The CellTuck team prides itself on creating a software system that enables dealers to feature their boats, engines, trailers and options packages in an easy-to-use platform. As its brand continues to grow throughout the marine sector, CellTuck remains consistent in providing a product that is focused on supporting today’s dealers.

“The successful partnership between MRAA and CellTuck continues grow due to CellTuck’s commitment to the association and our members,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA Director of Business Development. “Their increased support for the MRAA and the marine industry, as a whole, provides stability for the future of boat dealers and the industry.”
 
CellTuck is part of a roster of boat manufacturers, vendors and suppliers that have chosen to support the dealer community through partnership with the MRAA. The support of these organizations enables MRAA to expand the products and services it offers to dealers, with the goal of providing them with more tools, resources and educational opportunities to fuel their success. Find a full menu of partner benefits 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.

About CellTuck
CellTuck, LLC is a leading website development, software, marketing, hosting, and management provider and has been servicing RV dealerships since 1999.  Over the years, their software has continued to evolve and their unmatched Grid Builder gives their clients total control and access to their websites and includes all state of the art products currently out there for grabs. Learn about their services and check out their demo site by visiting www.celltuck.com.