Introducing the Boating Industry’s Election HQ

Tuesday marked the first election on the path to the White House for the Republican and Democratic candidates for President. The Iowa Caucuses were the first test of which of these 15 candidates will have a chance to be their respective party’s nominee.

Election Center 2016. 

BoatPAC.org, which will serve as the online home for NMMA’s and MRAA’s political efforts on Capitol Hill.

For more information or questions about BoatPAC contact Will Higgins at William@mraa.com.

ABC Announces 2016 Keynote Speakers

The American Boating Congress has announced the addition of TWO new keynote speakers to the 2016 agenda. Join MRAA and the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association this year for face-to-face meetings with your members of Congress, networking with your peers plus election analysis from respected experts from both sides of the aisle.

Register for the 2016 American Boating Congress Now! 

Paul Begala is a commentator for CNN, where he is part of the political team that has won both an “Emmy” and a “Peabody Award.” Begala was an advisory to President Clinton and in the 2012 campaign he was a senior adviser for the pro-Obama Super PAC, making Begala one of the few people to play a critical role in electing two different presidents.

CLICK HERE to book your room. Space is limited!

ABC is your chance to meet elected officials to discuss your policy concerns; Speak directly with policymakers in your Congressional district; Learn more about the Congressional process and how you can stay involved year round; Hear from elected officials, policy makers, and distinguished speakers; and join peers from all segments of the industry to help ensure a healthy future for recreational boating.

New York Times Publishes Scathing Review of U.S. Ethanol Policy

The Feb. 1 edition of the New York Times included an extensive feature story headlined “Ethanol Mandate, a Boon to Iowa Alone, Faces Rising Resistance.” The article explored the underwhelming effects of a 2005 Congressional mandate requiring oil refiners to blend ethanol into gasoline and cited the legislation as a leading cause of higher food prices and burdensome regulations.

Boaters join a growing list of oil companies, environmentalists, grocery manufacturers and farmers seeking to repeal the nation’s ethanol mandate. 

See how your congressional representatives voted on the 2005 “Ethanol Bill.” 

Read the entire New York Times online post.

Industry Invited to Help Shape MDCE 2016

 

 

Organizers of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo have begun planning for the 2016 educational agenda, and seek the help of prospective attendees from throughout the boating industry to shape the itinerary. The time commitment? Just three minutes.

 

Take the Pre-MDCE 2016 Attendee Survey Now

 

Each year, the process of building the MDCE educational lineup begins with a thorough review of the session evaluations from the prior year, post-event CSI surveys and feedback from attendees and the dealer-led MRAA Education Committee.

 

Organizers from co-hosts Boating Industry and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas then create a pre-event survey designed to identify topics most relevant to and desired by the dealer community. Those results are paired with speaker research and input from MDCE’s annual Call for Presentations to develop a fresh and impactful educational lineup.

 

“We design all of the MDCE educational sessions and experiences to generate a new slate of results for our attendees,” says Liz Walz, Vice President of MRAA. “The survey ensures that as our attendees’ needs change, MDCE is there to fulfill them.”

 

With educational tracks concentrating on sales, marketing, leadership and service, MDCE serves the entire marine retail community — from dealerships and ship’s stores to boatyards and marinas. All are encouraged to take just three minutes to complete the Pre-MDCE 2016 Attendee Survey. 

 

“Each marine retailer is unique,” says Boating Industry Editor-In-Chief Jonathan Sweet. “That’s why we ask all of you to fill out the survey. We aim to drive growth for every single MDCE attendee.”

 

The 2016 MDCE will take place from Monday, Dec. 5 through Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Orange County Convention Center and Rosen Centre Hotel. The annual conference saw a 4-percent increase in retail attendance in 2015, a 21-percent jump in Pre-Conference Workshop registrations, as well as a sold-out Expo Hall with more than 100 exhibitors. Total participation included 1,147 marine industry professionals from throughout North America and as far away as Australia.

 

marinedealerconference.com.

BoatingIndustry.com.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting marine retail businesses, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com.

Merv Wood Added to MICD Team as Consultant

Click here for a video of Jerry’s chat

Look for more posts and videos from MICD Certified boat dealers in future editions of Insider newsletter sent each month to MICD Program participants..

MRAATraining.com and click on the “Get Certified” tab.

sonja@mraa.com. Click here to learn more about the MICD Program.

Bob Longstreth Rejoins MICD as Consultant