MDCE Unveils 2015 VIP Planning Kit Offer

Organizers of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo have launched a VIP Event Planning Kit promotion designed to help attendees plan for and get the most out of their attendance at the 2015 MDCE.

In addition to the Early Bird Discount of $25 and an MRAA Member discount of $75, those who register on or before August 31 will receive an exclusive VIP Event Planning Kit that will feature numerous opportunities for attendees to maximize their success at MDCE. The event is being held Nov. 15-18 in Orlando, Fla.

Click here to view details of the VIP Event Planning Kit.

“With up to $100 in discounts and more education than ever before, MDCE 2015 offers incredible value to those who register this time of year, but this promotion also gives us the chance to help attendees get more out of their experiences at MDCE,” explains Liz Walz, vice president of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, which co-produces the MDCE with Boating Industry. “The VIP Kit is packed with tools, resources and coupons, including an insider’s guide to this year’s show that they will receive in early November.”

Available to anyone who registers for the MDCE on or before August 31, the VIP Event Planning Kit will offer tips, ideas and opportunities for driving up their return on investment at the MDCE. The kit will include:

· A custom letter with advice on how to get the most out of the MDCE

· An advance copy of the MDCE On-Site Directory, featuring the most comprehensive MDCE details available

· A detailed overview of the educational schedule, content and speakers to assist in planning an agenda in advance, including speaker videos

· Exclusive discounts on books and other resources made available by MDCE presenters

· An advance copy of the MDCE Floor Plan & Exhibitor Guide to help strategize how to navigate the expansive MDCE Expo Hall

· An “Experience Orlando” package with more than 30 coupons to use in the surrounding area, including some that can be used right across the street from the MDCE at Pointe Orlando

· An Insider Tips Guide from show staff, showcasing little-known, behind-the-scenes tips and ideas that will help you maximize your time at the show

“We’ve truly made this year’s MDCE new, based on feedback from the marine retail community,” explains Jonathan Sweet, editor-in-chief of Boating Industry, co-producer of the event. “From the expansion of the Pre-Conference Workshops to the addition of the Learning Labs and all the new topics and speakers in between, this year’s MDCE will deliver more takeaways than our attendees have ever experienced. The VIP Event Planning Kit will help them capture those that will make the biggest difference for their marine business.”

This comprehensive promotional offer is available beginning today and lasting through August 31. The VIP Event Planning Kit will be delivered to attendees electronically the week prior to the MDCE.

Register for MDCE by clicking here.

This year’s event, which is scheduled to take place Nov. 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center, Rosen Plaza Hotel and Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla., features 12 Pre-Conference Workshops and four concurrent Educational Tracks focused on Leadership, Sales, Marketing and Service Plus, plus an MRAA Special Session and an Opening and Closing keynote.

The 2015 MDCE has generated record dealer registrations so far this year, compared to the same period of time in previous years. Inspired by marine retailers’ own recommendations for the ideal event, this year’s MDCE campaign theme — “Made New. By You.” — may become the rallying cry for a resurging industry.

About the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo is the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ annual conference and member meeting. As the marine industry’s only dealer-specific educational conference, MDCE offers an in-depth lineup of educational topics, 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 Educational Tracks, Pre-Conference Workshops, Opening and Closing keynote presentations, and the all-new Learning Labs. The 2015 will be held Nov. 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center, Rosen Plaza Hotel and Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla. For more information and to register, visit marinedealerconference.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.

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

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House Panel Considers Effects of Biscayne Park Closure

On August 3rd, hundreds of concerned Florida locals crowded inside the William F. Dickinson community center in Homestead, Florida to witness a joint oversight hearing of the House Committee On Small Business and the House Committee on Natural Resources. Committee members gathered to discuss restricted access at Biscayne National Park and implications for fishermen, small businesses, the local economy and environment.

While I share the National Park Service’s commitment to protecting Biscayne National Park’s coral reefs and fishery resources, I am concerned that the final General Management Plan will unnecessarily restrict the public’s access to the park and negatively affect fishermen and other small businesses.”

            Much of the hearing focused on a legislative fix to what many consider to be an overreach of the Federal Government. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen introduced the Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act (H.R. 3310) with the bipartisan support of 30 House colleagues. The bill will ensure that state authorities will have the opportunity to have a say in the development of any new fishing access restrictions in areas where state marine waters and national park or national marine sanctuary boundaries overlap. According to the Congresswoman: “We all have a stake in the protection of Biscayne National Park’s natural resources and the preservation of vital economic and recreational opportunities that depend on Biscayne’s beauty and bounty. Over the past 15 years, I have prodded the National Park Service to increase their outreach and work together with all stakeholders in the process of developing a new General Management Plan. However, the stubborn and unsupported inclusion of a no-fishing zone in the park’s final proposal seems to be the result of a process that treats collaboration like a check box on a form, rather than as a serious dialogue between partners. That’s not right, and we should demand better from our federal government.” The act has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, but will not be considered further until after Congress’ August recess.

 

 

House Committee Hearing to Discuss RFS

On July 23rd, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Energy and the Subcommittee on Oversight to discuss the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The main focus of the meeting was to discuss the changes that have occurred in our nations energy sector between 2005, when the RFS was first mandated by congress, and today. 

“The RFS was wrong about gas consumption –demand for gasoline is falling. The RFS was wrong about the growth of the renewable fuel industry, particularly in terms of advanced biofuels and cellulosic fuels.  And the RFS was wrong about the impact incorporating renewable fuels would have on the environment. As one of our witnesses today will testify, the corn ethanol produced to meet the RFS makes air quality worse, and has higher life cycle emissions than gasoline. Today, instead of a transportation fuel supply driven by consumer demand, we are stuck with our back to the “blend wall.” Each year, the RFS requires higher volumes of renewable fuel than our transportation fuel supply can sustain. Even with EPA approval to use mid-level ethanol blends like E15 and E85 in select vehicles – both of which have significant problems in terms of performance and emissions – the RFS mandate is unworkable.”

Mr. Reid’s testimony included findings of multiple studies on marine engines that demonstrated than gasoline blended with higher than 15% ethanol can cause catastrophic failure. He went on to state: “As an engineer intimately aware of the negative effects of high ethanol fuel, I can say the move towards E15 and possibly even higher blends, to achieve the 36 billion gallon requirement of the RFS is flawed. Rather than continue on a biofuel path that does nothing for lowering emissions and harms our engines, I believe we must freeze the ethanol content of gasoline at its current level of 10% by volume and look towards alternative energy sources that make sense for the engines which must run on them Unless and until Congress acts on the RFS, EPA will continue to implement the deeply flawed RFS without regard to its ramification on engines or consumers. This is a nonsensical path that creates a fuel supply incompatible with engine technology which destroys engines, increases emissions, and puts boat fuel systems in jeopardy.” (Full testimony can be read here.)

here.)

 

MRAA Members: Reduce Risk, Boost Compliance, Save Money With KPA

Managing risk and ensuring safety compliance are of critical importance for marine dealerships. Retailers greatly benefit from having a firm plan in place to manage both their dealership’s environmental and safety requirements, as well as its human resource needs.

Membership in the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas makes it easier than ever for dealers to achieve regulatory compliance, control risk, protect assets, and effectively manage employees through a combination of innovative software, award-winning training, and onsite consulting provided by KPA, a new MRAA Partner Member. The partnership entitles MRAA members to a 10 percent discount on KPA Environmental Health & Safety and Human Resource Management packages.

MRAA members gain exclusive access to KPA’s environmental health and safety and HR solutions through the MRAA Rewards Program, which includes more than 30 tangible benefits that members can take advantage of for their $300 annual investment in MRAA membership.

“The partnership with KPA opens up a whole new world of beneficial business solutions for dealers,” says MRAA president Matt Gruhn. “The environmental safety and compliance and HR packages that KPA offers MRAA members help dealers more easily manage these key aspects of their business, giving them back valuable time to focus on sales and revenue-generation efforts. The programs also offer dealers peace of mind that experienced professionals are managing their environmental and safety and HR needs 24/7; individuals with in-depth knowledge in these specific fields.”

KPA Human Resource Management software is a total HR solution for marine retailers, designed in collaboration with leading labor and employment attorneys to ensure dealerships are in complete compliance with state and federal regulations. Delivered as a convenient software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, KPA HR Management gives dealers the tools they need to automate all essential processes, improve efficiency with simple, easy-to-use software, and access expert advice on demand. The workforce management software that KPA provides caters to every aspect of the employee lifecycle, from recruiting to termination and everything in between.

KPA’s Environmental Health & Safety Program grants dealerships access to complete OSHA safety compliance management and environmental compliance services, including: Regularly scheduled facility inspections, employee training, and formal safety committee meetings; around-the-clock support for environmental and safety incidents; and access to MyKPAOnline.com, an online safety and compliance tracking and measurement system, among other key program benefits.

“The relationship between KPA and MRAA will inevitably simplify day-to-day business responsibilities for marine retailers,” says Eric Schmitz, KPA Environmental Health & Safety Product vice president. “Our solutions help dealers reduce waste and waste management costs, lower regulatory citation liability and lawsuit exposure, save money on Workers’ Compensation premiums, and decrease the time typically required by managers to train dealership employees in the areas of safety and compliance. We have specialists on call to answer any and all questions a dealership has, taking the headache out of these areas and providing world-class support for MRAA members.”

To learn more about MRAA membership or to join, contact MRAA membership coordinator Hannah Muerhoff at 763-333-2420 or hannah@mraa.com.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the companies that interact with the boater in their community must thrive. Those businesses determine the boater’s experience and are the leading factor in the industry’s success. MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those businesses, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit About KPA
KPA delivers Environmental Health & Safety, HR Management and Sales & Finance Compliance programs that help our clients achieve regulatory compliance, control risk, protect their assets, and effectively manage people through a combination of innovative software, award-winning training and onsite consulting. More than 5,200 clients, including eight out of 10 of the largest dealership groups in the country, count on KPA for its program offerings. KPA has been endorsed by 26 dealer associations at both the national and state level and is a founding member of the Clean Auto Alliance. For more information, visit KPAOnline.com.

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MRAA Sponsors 2015 MDCE Registration Giveaway For MTA Members

Attending the annual Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, being held Nov. 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center, Rosen Plaza Hotel and Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla., is of critical importance to marine retailers. The event provides dealers with the tools and strategies they need to boost profits and bolster their businesses in today’s changing marine retail landscape.

In an effort to support its Marine Trade Association Members and provide them with a golden opportunity to send a select few of their members to MDCE 2015 at no cost, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas offered three MTAs the chance to conduct a giveaway for one free MDCE 2015 registration each — a $499 value. This special offer was available only to MRAA-member MTAs.

“MDCE has the unique ability to fulfill dealers’ desire to be the best through education and networking opportunities that help dealers find greater success in the year ahead,” says Hannah Muerhoff, MRAA membership coordinator. “What makes this opportunity so special is that the partnership with our MTA members allows dealers to attend the conference free of charge, giving them access to the conference that they might not otherwise have had.”

This is the second year that MRAA partnered with its MTA members for this free-giveaway campaign. Dealers from the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, Marine Trades Association of Central Florida, and Boating Industries Trades Association of New York participated in this special drawing. This year’s winners are: Baywood Marine of Brick, N.J.; Smith Boys of Syracuse, N.Y.; and Gerry’s Marina of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

MDCE 2015 will offer its most powerful educational lineup yet, including 35 educational sessions — more than ever before. The conference includes a slate of in-depth Pre-Conference Workshops and four educational tracks: Leadership, Sales, Marketing and Service Plus; an Opening and Closing keynote address; MRAA Special Presentation focusing on the industry’s current technician shortage; and the all-new Learning Labs.

In recent years, MDCD has attracted more than 1,100 total participants. So far, early retail registrations for the 2015 event are at a record high.

To learn more about MDCE or to register, visit, marinedealerconference.com/register.

To learn more about MRAA membership or to join, contact MRAA membership coordinator Hannah Muerhoff at 763-333-2420 or hannah@mraa.com.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the companies that interact with the boater in their community must thrive. Those businesses determine the boater’s experience and are the leading factor in the industry’s success. MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those businesses, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit About the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo is the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ annual conference and member meeting. As the marine industry’s only dealer-specific educational conference, the MDCE offers an in-depth lineup of educational topics, 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. The MDCE is co-produced by MRAA and Boating Industry, and it features Educational Tracks, Pre-Conference Workshops, Opening and Closing keynote presentations, and the all-new Learning Lab. It will be held Nov. 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center and Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla. For more information, visit marinedealerconference.com.

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NMMA Boat Shows Generate Nearly $120,000 to Support Certified Dealers

The National Marine Manufacturers Association supported Marine Industry Certified Dealerships in a big way again this past boat show season, giving Certified Dealers promotional opportunities at NMMA boat shows, including special customer promotions in their respective markets.

During the 2014-15 boat show season, NMMA helped promote Certified Dealers with a series of ads that appeared in NMMA’s Boat Show Guides for 18 individual boat shows. In the ads, NMMA listed the names of Certified Dealers in the local show area, so showgoers easily could identify which dealers located nearest to them are Marine Industry Certified.

“NMMA boat shows are the premier consumer recreational boating sales and marketing events in key markets throughout the United States, and it’s incredible to have this kind of support and solidarity for the program,” says Sonja Moseley, MICD Program director. “Boat shows represent an important venue by which a potential boat buyer could locate a Certified Dealer. The advertisements help draw attention to the benefits of buying a boat from a Certified Dealer, which are underscored by the fact that Certified Dealers, on average, score higher in CSI surveys than non-Certified Dealers.”

In addition to the advertising opportunities in its Show Guides, NMMA supported the MICD Program through editorial content in its consumer exhibitor newsletters that ran throughout last year, helping further communicate the value of the program to a broader audience.

The estimated value of these 2014-15 in-kind contributions is around $120,000. Following the success of the program, NMMA plans to continue support of Certified Dealers again during the 2015-16 boat show season.

“NMMA sees the value in promoting Certified Dealers through its boat show advertising and marketing, and we wanted to do what we could to support MICD Program efforts and espouse its value to consumers,” says Cathy Rick-Joule, NMMA’s vice president of Boat Shows. “Ultimately we want consumers who visit our shows to have an exceptional experience at the retail level, and the MICD Program helps dealers not only meet, but consistently exceed customer expectations.”

For more information about the MICD Program or to enroll, contact Sonja Moseley at 763-333-2424 or sonja@mraa.com.

About the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program

Managed by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program (MICD) is dedicated to improving the customer experience at the retail level. The first step in the Certification process focuses on establishing a high level of customer satisfaction through communication, appearance and quality. The second tier of Certification continues to enhance the customer experience by implementing processes for overall dealership functionality. At the program’s Five Star level, established organizational procedures are implemented to ensure smooth operations and happy customers. To learn more about the MICD Program, visit MRAA.com/certification.

About the National Marine Manufacturers Association

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit NMMA.org.

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MDCE Introduces Session Recommendations

In response to dealers’ requests for help choosing the right educational sessions for their skills and experience, for the first time in 2015, the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo will feature recommendations for each of its 35 educational offerings.

The recommendations will include the following:

· Fundamental – Explores the basics and serve as building blocks on which all other strategies are built.

· Intermediate – Allows those with several years of experience to further develop their skills.

· Advanced – Designed to help experts break through to new levels of success.

· All Skill Levels – Offers value to all attendees.

This year’s event, which is scheduled to take place Nov. 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center, Rosen Plaza Hotel and Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla., features 12 Pre-Conference Workshops and four concurrent Educational Tracks, including Leadership, Sales, Marketing and Service Plus, plus an MRAA Special Session and an Opening and Closing keynote.

In total, the 35 educational offerings at this year’s event include four sessions rated Fundamental, 14 rated Intermediate, eight rated Advanced, and nine rated All Skill Levels. MDCE attendees are invited to choose whichever combination best fits their needs and desires. All of these educational offerings are included with a standard MDCE Registration, with the exception of the 12 Pre-Conference Workshops, which require a separate registration fee.

“Each MDCE attendee brings a very specific set of experiences and expertise with them to the conference,” explains Liz Walz, vice president of MRAA, which produces the annual event in partnership with Boating Industry. “By adding these recommendations, we intend to help marine retailers identify the workshops and track sessions that will have the most significant impact on their performance and that of their business.”

For the past several years, each Marine Dealer Conference & Expo has attracted hundreds of marine retail attendees from dealerships, marinas and service facilities located throughout the United States, Canada and even Australia. The job titles of these attendees, their years of experience, the size of the marine businesses they work for, and the products they carry and service vary widely.

“Our job is to build an MDCE educational lineup that can make a difference in the success of every single member of this very diverse group,” says Boating Industry editor-in-chief Jonathan Sweet. “In addition to providing a new level of guidance to attendees, these recommendations will help our team ensure that MDCE’s education serves the needs of all participants as our event continues to grow and develop.”

The 2015 MDCE has inspired record dealer registrations so far this year, compared to the same period of time in previous years. Inspired by marine retailers own recommendations for the ideal event, this year’s MDCE campaign theme — “Made New. By You.” — may become the rallying cry for a resurging industry.

About the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo
The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo is the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ annual conference and member meeting. As the marine industry’s only dealer-specific educational conference, MDCE offers an in-depth lineup of educational topics, 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 Educational Tracks, Pre-Conference Workshops, Opening and Closing keynote presentations, and the all-new Learning Labs. The 2015 will be held Nov. 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center, Rosen Plaza Hotel and Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla. For more information and to register, visit marinedealerconference.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.

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

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What Are the Top Advantages for Certified Dealers Attending MDCE 2015?

Most Certified Dealers inherently understand the importance and value of attending the annual Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, taking place this year Nov. 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center and Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla. But in case you were looking for the top six reasons to put MDCE on your must-attend conference list this year, well, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a list of the most convincing reasons why Certified Dealers should plan to attend this year’s MDCE:

 
• Reason #1: MICDs can earn most, if not all, of their continuing education credits at MDCE. MICDs are required to complete 10 hours of continuing education credits for Step 1, 20 hours for Step 2 and 30 hours at the Five Star Level. Certified Dealers can knock out nearly all these requirements at one, single event, making MDCE the easiest and most cost-effective way to meet this standard of the program.

• Reason #2: Certified Dealers are Certified because they are the types of companies that invest in the growth and development of their business. MDCE’s education also is developed specifically to help attendees improve and grow, so it complements what they’re trying to achieve through Certification. Bottom line: Attending the event will help them achieve their goals and beyond — faster.

• Reason #3: MDCE features more education than ever before, with a total of 35 educational sessions to choose from, not to mention the always-powerful Opening and Closing keynote addresses and, for the first time ever, hands-on Learning Labs, where dealer attendees will have an opportunity to speak one-on-one with session presenters and really dive deep into the topics that matter to them most.

• Reason #4: For the first time this year, Certified Dealers will be able to make better choices about which sessions they attend with specific MDCE recommendations —fundamental, intermediate, advanced and all levels. More specific details about session levels will be available in the coming weeks.

• Reason #5: MICD lead consultant Paul Weaver’s Pre-Conference Workshop on process mapping. The session, entitled “X Marks the Spot,” will provide dealers with step-by-step instructions on how to create a custom process map to improve any dealership department and get started building one. Attendees will walk away with a process map template that they can customize and implement at their respective dealerships.

Certified Dealers can register to attend MDCE 2015 by clicking here.

To get started on the path to becoming Certified or to renew your Certified status, visit MRAATraining.com/Certifications, or contact MICD Program director Sonja Moseley at 763-333-2424 or sonja@mraa.com.

Member Spotlight: Karen Davidson

How did you get started in the boating industry? 

Well, it goes way back to the late 60s, when my dad was stationed overseas and had a custom sailboat built in the Netherlands. We ended up keeping the boat at a marina in Holland and used to go back and forth from Belgium to spend the weekends on it. I don’t have great memories of that time because what teenage girl wants to spend her weekends with her parents polishing chrome, cleaning sails and oiling teak? For my dad, though, it was the impetus for planning his retirement into his second career. I went away to college and by the summer of my sophomore year, my parents left the only life they knew anything about in order to pursue my father’s dream of owning a marina, which he knew nothing about! They bought Green Cove Marina in the spring of 1973, and so the Davidson Family entered the Boating Industry.


What is your current role with Green Cove Marina and how did you get there? 

I actually did not get involved in the marina until 1985 – 12 years after my parents and brother had been operating the place.  After I left college, I opened a homemade ice cream store in Ocean Township, N.J. and then subsequently opened a second location in a neighboring town. I sold them in the early 80s when I got married and prepared myself for a very early retirement. After I had my first child and the wonder and awe of being home all day with a little one started to become less challenging, my parents cajoled me into working at the marina “just part time to help out a little.” I wasn’t too keen on the idea (boating??!?), but my mother was going to watch the baby and it would get me out of the house a little, so I figured, “OK, I’ll just work a day or two here and there.” Fast forward 30 years: I’m the general manager carrying on the legacy that my mother, father and brother devoted themselves so tirelessly to build.


What are some beliefs or talents that Green Cove embodies that you believe contributed to your success?

Simply put, my father always did the right thing. It was important to him that his marina had a reputation for great service, a family atmosphere, and fair prices. We always have put resources back into the marina: Keeping up with bulkheading projects and the upkeep of and additions to our amenities. We have an award-winning service department with Mercruiser, Mercury and Yamaha Certified technicians. We were honored by SouthWind Deck Boats as one of their Top 7 Dealers in 2014, and we are proud to be a New Jersey Clean Marina, a Five-Star Certified Dealer, a member of the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, as well as the MRAA and ABYC. We are proud to maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau; all of this so that our customers know they can count on us as a marina with solid moral principles, good business ethics and a sense of responsibility for our environment and waterways.

I know that you won a free pass to MDCE last year for being part of the NJMTA. Why do you think it’s important for dealers to be involved in their local MTAs?

Our MTA offers all manner of support, guidance and information to the hundreds of dealers in New Jersey. It’s always surprising to me that there are some dealers that don’t join because it truly is a brotherhood of like-minded business people coming together to promote boating – an industry that has certainly seen some challenges in the past few years. MTA/NJ has resources for every dealer large and small; from the 24-hour days they worked post-Sandy simply doing welfare checks, to the tireless work our director did ensuring marinas would not be excluded from the Economic Development Agency grants. They keep us informed of changes in legislation that affect our industry (our livelihood!) and can offer information and/or referrals on any subject that might come up in a marine dealership of any sort. The MTA/NJ offers friendship and social events with other business people that are facing the same trials that I do; that can maybe offer me a solution to a problem by virtue of their own experience. Everyone is willing to help each other and there is boundless knowledge and capability to draw on. To not support your state’s MTA is short-sighted and, frankly, rather self-defeating.


I see that you are a Certified Dealer. What are some reasons that you would share with dealerships that aren’t Certified regarding why they should be?

The Certification process (renewal) actually is something I look forward to; it’s a team of industry professionals offering valuable insights into how we can do a better job, make our customers happy and ensure our overall success. The individual advisors spend a good amount of time learning about your dealership and then they offer thoughtful and easily implemented advice. They help ensure you have processes in place that will identify areas that need attention in your business before they become areas of weakness. I really do believe that Certification is a tool for your own growth and stability that no dealership should pass up.


What prompted you to become an MRAA Member? Any special benefits? Or just the status that comes with being an MRAA Member?

Honestly, I feel it is important to be members of any worthwhile marine industry organization because the more I am supported, the stronger is my presence. We do feel a certain status; that we are somehow set apart from other dealers, and of course, we do get discounts on boat shows, MDCE, other conferences and publications.

How do you overcome industry challenges?

We have felt the economic and post-storm challenges, as have most of our peers in the industry, and it does become imperative for our collective survival to look at income centers with a creative point of view. We started directing our marketing efforts towards families and the lasting memories that can be formed with time spent together boating and at Green Cove Marina. Boating isn’t as expensive as some might think, if you can get your customer to see the value in time spent with their families enjoying bright sunshine, lazy afternoons on the water, and the special camaraderie that a marina offers. We also turned to our MTA for resources available throughout New Jersey, and they help keep us informed of changes that affect us locally so we can, in turn, keep our customers educated and feeling a valued part of the industry. We try and promote boating wherever we can – we take advantage of the free promotional items offered by Discover Boating, Grow Boating and the Welcome to the Water campaign to help bring our industry back where we belong.


What are “Five Fast Facts” about yourself? 

  1. I’m addicted to Shahs of Sunset.
  2. I’m a master griller and can out-cook almost anyone on a big fat Weber!
  3. I get seasick when I go out on a boat
  4. My friends think I’m more trouble than I’m worth, but they still put up with me!
  5. Everything I do is for my two daughters, Alexa and Alaina

Data Shows Certified Dealers Outperform Non-Certified Dealers

The Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program is having a positive impact on the overall health and financial success of dealerships across North America.

Data collected from dealerships in the United States and Canada by the research division of Robert W. Baird & Company demonstrates that Marine Industry Certified Dealerships, on average, outperform their Non-Certified counterparts in several key metrics, including annual revenue generated, new boat demand, new and used retail sales, satisfaction with their current inventory levels, greater confidence in current and long-term business conditions, and access to retail and wholesale credit.

The MICD Program today released a “Performance Perspective” that spells out the Baird results in detail, highlighting aspects of the Certification program that are likely potential contributors to the uptick in results that Certified Dealers are reporting. The paper is available to all MRAA members, as well as interested non-members, and can be found at https://mraa.com/?page=MICDData.

“We originally created the Baird partnership to help give our members greater insight into the trends and key performance indicators that are driving the boat business across North America,” explains Sonja Moseley, MRAA director of Certification and Benefits. “But once we began digging into the numbers, it became clear that Certified Dealers were setting themselves apart from the industry norms.”

Data collected from both Certified and Non-Certified dealers between December 2013 and December 2014 (a total of 1,832 dealer submissions) reveals that when compared with Non-Certified dealers, Certified Dealers, on average:

· Generate 63 percent more revenue

· Report 15 percent higher retail sales for new boats

· Report 22 percent stronger demand for most new boat types

· Indicate greater access to both retail and wholesale credit

· Are generally more satisfied with business conditions, both currently as well as over a three- to five-year outlook

“The MRAA Pulse Report data serves to underscore that Certification has a positive impact on retailers across North America,” says Moseley. “By participating in the MICD Program, dealers have access to a proven template for running their business efficiently and effectively. The wealth of tools, strategies and best practices they can access through the MICD Program assists them in improving both their customer and employee satisfaction, as well as the dealership’s bottom line.”

The Pulse Reports not only chart critical information such as new boat retail demand, inventory levels and access to credit on a monthly basis, but they also dive into trending topics that are affecting retail and small business activity. MRAA members can access previous and current Marine Retailer Pulse Reports by clicking here.

For more information about the MICD Program or to enroll, contact Sonja Moseley at 763-333-2424 or sonja@mraa.com.

About the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program

Managed by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program (MICD) is dedicated to improving the customer experience at the retail level. The first step in the Certification process focuses on establishing a high level of customer satisfaction through communication, appearance and quality. The second tier of Certification continues to enhance the customer experience by implementing processes for overall dealership functionality. At the program’s Five Star level, established organizational procedures are implemented to ensure smooth operations and happy customers. To learn more about the MICD Program, visit MRAA.com/certification.

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