Galati Joins The Boat Village’s SE Florida Regional Collaborative

Major Florida Brokerage and Service Company Joins Regional Group to Promote Online Service Coordination and Boat Management.

Hobe Sound, Fla. – May 7, 2014 – Galati Yacht Sales, a major yacht brokerage, dealership and marine services organization operating in nine locations worldwide, has joined The Boat Village’s regional collaborative in southeast Florida, uniting with other top marine businesses in the region to promote online service coordination and boat management.

Galati Yacht Sales, which has more than 450 boats in brokerage and specializes in Viking, Princess, Tiara, Cruisers, Grand Banks, Maritimo, Rampage and Prestige brands, will use The Boat Village Premium Service, a consumer platform that simplifies communication and collaboration, to make it easier for owners to coordinate service and maintain their vessels. Galati Yacht Sales will provide their customers with a digital profile of their vessel and all of its relevant information, including digitized operating manuals and a custom maintenance plan based on manufacturer recommendations for the equipment onboard.

Galati Yacht Sales, a member of the Boating Industry Top 100 Dealer Hall of Fame, is already using the My-Villages DockMaster suite of marine software, and will install The Boat Village on a new Tiara 5800 Sovran, Team Galati Viking 82 Convertible and a pre-owned Viking 66 Convertible. Galati Yacht Sales is also working with My-Villages to designate a boat, loaded with The Boat Village, to participate in the Gulf Coast regional fishing tournament circuit this summer.

“Galati Yacht Sales is one of the great names in boating and we are thrilled to have them onboard,” said Kevin Hutchinson, founder and CEO of My-Villages, which created The Boat Village. “Having Galati Yacht Sales join the other great names in the marine industry who are already part of The Boat Village is further validation of the need for better boat management tools and online service coordination.”

“Putting the customer first goes beyond just sales—it has to extend to service,” said Darren Plymale, vice president of Galati Yacht Sales. “The Boat Village allows us to use technology to make that process easier for owners, and that’s always our goal.”

The Boat Village Premium Service, an application that works on any smartphone, tablet or computer, keeps an inventory of all onboard equipment, which is personalized with digital manuals and automated maintenance reminders. Owners can send electronic service requests, communicate with service professionals (including the use of photos and videos), get updates on work in process, access service records, follow their favorite experts and even chat with other boaters—all within the application. The result is instant access to information and stronger two-way communication between owners and the village people who help them operate and maintain their vessels. Records are preserved electronically and the boat’s service history, usage trends, trip logs and other useful information are readily available 24/7 using cloud technology.

Galati Yacht Sales joins a growing list of major marine firms who have signed on as part of the My-Villages southeast Florida regional collaborative to promote online service coordination and boat management. They include boat builders like The Hinckley Company and Regal, as well as dealers like FastBoats, marinas like Aqua Marine Partners and Old Port Cove, and service yards like Whiticar Boat Works and Marine Professionals Incorporated (MPI).

“Coordinating business online is an everyday occurrence in the world of retail, banking, healthcare and other industries, and we are working collaboratively to bring that to the marine industry,” Hutchinson said. “Our job is to build and support the technology and companies like Galati Yacht Sales are making it a reality in the industry.”

Seattle Boat Company Receives Recognition

Seattle Boat Company, with locations in  Seattle and Bellevue, Wash., was recently recognized as a 2014 Supporter of the Year by AtWork!, an organization whose mission it is to help people with disabilities be more productive, integrated and contributing members of their community.

CLICK HERE to watch an inspiring video featuring Jon Vossler and Michael Schrempf, AtWork! employees at Seattle Boat Company who are thriving in their respective positions.

Industry Mourns Loss of Austin Boats Founder

Jeff Parker, the founder of Austin Boats and Motors in Austin, Texas, recently passed away unexpectedly. Moving forward, the business will be run by Parker’s son, Martin Boyer, and other family members.

Parker was a strong dealer advocate, valued MRAA board member and friend to the industry. In lieu of flowers, the Parker family requests that donations be sent to Side by Side Kids, a local charity administered by the Parker’s church. The organization’s focus is to support underprivileged families through giving and education initiatives.

CLICK HERE to make a donation today.

Allen Harbor Marine Service Mourns Loss of President

Rupert L. “Ren” Nichols Jr., president of Allen Harbor Marine Service in Harwich Port, Mass., died March 28 after battling a long illness. He was 66.

An active and engaged member of the Cape Cod boating and marine community, Nichols was a 48-year “lifetime member” of the U.S. Power Squadrons, where he rose to the rank of Rear Commander. He was likewise a longtime member of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association and Cape Cod Marine Trades Association, continuously serving on the MMTA’s and CCMTA’s Board of Directors for several decades and as MMTA president from 2000-2002.

After Nichols’ father, Rupert Sr., retired from Allen Harbor Marine Service, Nichols assumed ownership and direction of the expanding boatyard in 1990 and ran the business until his passing in late March of this year.

Nichols is survived by a brother, Donald S. Nichols; a sister, Jane Cartmill; and several cousins. He leaves behind his close friend and caretaker of many years, Ralph Cordeiro, and his canine companion, A.J.

NMMA awards MRAA with 2014 American Boating Congress Ambassador Award

During this year’s 2014 American Boating Congress, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas was honored with the first-ever ABC Ambassador Award.

A new honor given out by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and announced in an NMMA press release today, the Ambassador award was developed this year to thank the ABC co-host organization that promoted the event through the most marketing activity. A record 38 organizations from across the entire boating industry came together in 2014 as co-hosts in support of ABC.

These co-hosts have spent months planning and promoting ABC. And for the first time, a full-scale joint marketing plan was put into place by the co-hosts to make sure that more people than ever before knew about ABC and why it is so important. Co-hosts sent emails to their network of contacts, included articles in their newsletters, used ads on their websites and included content on their Twitter feeds.  And as a direct result of the hard work put in by our co-hosts, this year’s event has seen exponential growth.

However, out of all 38 co-host organizations, MRAA stood out as a leader, according to the release. The release noted that MRAA staff made multiple personal phone calls to industry contacts, talking with key decision makers about the importance of attending ABC and the importance of their dealers attending the event. MRAA reached hundreds of people with this same message daily, and thousands of people weekly through their newsletters and emails.

MRAA’s digital marketing strategy for ABC included regular postings on social media about the event, frequent bulk email campaigns and countless press releases posted to their website and sent to trade media. MRAA promoted ABC at the annual Marine Dealer Conference & Expo with an insert in the registration bags and presented on the importance of ABC at a number of its Marine Retail University events. MRAA President, Matt Gruhn, even filmed a personal video message, inviting others to attend ABC and explaining why the event is so important to him.

“We believe in the power of the American Boating Congress and all that it can do for our industry,” says Gruhn. “The 2014 event once again yielded great results with more than 250 Hill visits and some outstanding meetings with legislators from across the country. We’ve seen great progress in the number of attendees at this event, but we also believe we have a lot of room for growth, and we look forward to contributing to that again next year.”

The American Boating Congress would like to wholeheartedly thank all 38 co-host organizations for their own outstanding achievements in making this year’s event such a success.

Registration opens for expanded MDCE

The 2014 dealer event will feature four educational tracks, two keynote addresses, and more dedicated expo hall time then ever before.

ORLANDO – Today, organizers kick off the grand opening of registration for a Marine Dealer Conference & Expo that features more educational offerings and more expo hall time than ever before. MDCE 2014 is scheduled to take place Nov. 16-19, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

For the first time in the event’s history, attendees can select from four educational tracks – Leadership, Sales, Marketing and Service Plus – designed specifically to address the most critical aspects of marine dealer operations. In addition, following the successful launch of the MDCE Pre-Conference Workshops in 2013, this feature will return with an even more impactful line-up of hands-on sessions attendees won’t find anywhere else. Finally, attendees will now benefit from both an Opening and Closing Keynote Address.

“Every aspect of this event is designed to make a real difference in the working lives of our attendees,” says Liz Walz, Director of Education for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “That’s why we have increased our investment in the MDCE educational line-up for the second year in a row. This year’s expanded agenda offers more real-life solutions to dealers’ toughest problems and more proven paths to new opportunities than any MDCE yet.”

Dealers who register now will receive a $25 early bird discount off of the full registration rate of $499. Members of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas receive an additional $75 off of their registration, for a total discount of $100.

“While education is a top priority for MDCE attendees, dealers have also asked us for more networking time on the expo floor,” commented Boating Industry Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Sweet. “In response, we took a fresh approach to the schedule that will allow both attendees and exhibitors to make the most of their time at MDCE.”

To receive the $25 early bird discount, registrants need only visit www.mraa.com/MDCE and register before September 19th. MRAA members should log into the website with their username and password before registering to receive their $75 member discount on top of the early bird discount.

“Without the phenomenal support we’ve received from the industry, we wouldn’t be able to increase our service to the marine dealer community at MDCE again this year,” explained Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to expand this event, as it is one of the most powerful ways we can contribute to the growth and improvement of marine retailers and the industry at large.”

This year’s host hotel will be the Rosen Centre, located adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center. As a bonus for 2014, the MDCE expo floor is located directly across the walkway from the Rosen Centre.

For more information about MDCE 2014, please visit www.mraa.com/MDCE or contact Liz Walz at liz@mraa.com or 315-692-4533. To inquire about exhibit opportunities, please contact Kathy Johnson at kathy.johnson@boatingindustry.com or 480-988-3658.

About MDCE

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 features an in-depth line-up 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 the MRAA and Boating Industry, and it offers pre-conference workshops, two keynote presentations, three tracks of educational content, and more than 20 sessions in all. It will be held Nov. 16-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Visit www.mraa.com/MDCE to learn more.

MRAA Members Earn Big With AquaPac Insurance Program

Members of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas participating in the AquaPac Boat & Yacht Insurance Program earned more than $215,000 in combined revenue in 2013 — with the average dealership bringing in more than $3,700 — demonstrating that the program is a bonafide revenue generator for marine dealers. Program participation also rose significantly in 2013, up a whopping 146 percent from 2012 totals, as did growth in revenue earned, which jumped 145 percent over the previous year.

Participation in AquaPac is an exclusive MRAA members-only benefit offered through Norman-Spencer Marine Insurance, MRAA’s preferred marine insurance provider and partner for more than 25 years.

There are two different AquaPac programs available to MRAA members: One for Referral Dealers and one for Commissioned Dealers (for those members with an insurance license). In 2013, AquaPac Referral Dealers averaged more than $1,000 in revenue, while the most effective took in more than $3,200 in revenue for their program participation. AquaPac Commissioned Dealers saw renevue jump last year to more than $9,600 on average.

“This program is easy money for dealers, while at the same time it provides a quality insurance product for boat buyers and boosts a dealership’s customer satisfaction,” says MRAA president Matt Gruhn. “It’s a win-win-win proposition. It takes two or three minutes for dealers to endorse the AquaPac insurance program for their customers’ benefit; dealers simply refer customers to Norman-Spencer, and Norman-Spencer takes the reigns from there. We hope more dealers see the value in AquaPac and become MRAA members in order to take advantage of this profitable program. Just 10 AquaPac referrals cover the cost of an MRAA membership.”

AquaPac offers consumers broad, affordable insurance coverage that accommodates the the full spectrum of boats, from personal watercraft to large yachts and everything in between. Each AquaPac policy is custom-tailored to meet individual boaters’ needs and includes standard coverages that are traditionally only available with higher-end yacht policies. Coverage through the program is among the best and most comprehensive in the industry.

AquaPac is the flagship benefit in the MRAA Rewards program, a collection of more than 30 tangible benefits and incentives dealers are eligible to receive upon signing up to become MRAA members.

“When I first pitched the idea of including AquaPac as part of MRAA Rewards to the association, I never realized that just a few seasons later we would have so many participating dealers,” says Paul Sexton, vice president of Marine Insurance Services for Norman-Spencer. “In fact, the majority of our new dealer referrals are now coming in from MRAA member partners. Some are longtime partners of ours that joined MRAA for the sole purpose of reaping the benefits of our AquaPac program.”

AquaPac is unique in that it is specifically designed to drive business back to the dealership, even after the sale. Noteworthy features include preferred repair deductibles, where a customer can take his or her boat back to any MRAA dealer with a claim and have deductibles cut in half; total loss replacement, where the original sale dealer has the first opportunity to provide a replacement boat to a customer in the case of a claim; and guaranteed repair work through an MRAA dealer for the life of the boat/policy.

“Most referral programs are a dime a dozen; however, our vision is to make the boat buyer feel that AquaPac is a ‘no-brainer’ through knowledgeable service and an affordable coverage package available nowhere else in the industry,” Sexton explains. “And with an attractive referral fee package, 24/7 referral service, and a program that drives revenue back to the dealer, we hope the decision is an easy one.”

To learn more about the AquaPac program, MRAA Rewards and other valuable MRAA member benefits, 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 Norman-Spencer Agency Inc.
Norman-Spencer Agency Inc. is a nationally recognized provider of high quality insurance products for all boats and yachts, serving hundreds of dealer and marina partners nationwide. Along with boat owner programs, the agency also provides market-leading business insurance solutions for all facets of the recreational marine industry, including dealers, marinas, manufacturers and marine artisans. Norman-Spencer has been the only MRAA-endorsed marine insurance provider for more than 25 years. For more information, visit norman-spencer.com.

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MRAA, Wisconsin Marine Association Host Successful Educational Session for WMA Members

Last week, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Marine Association, hosted a successful one-day educational session for WMA members. A total of 34 people representing 24 companies attended the eight-hour, information-packed day to learn about the latest industry trends and gain insight into a variety of hot-button topics currently impacting Wisconsin marine businesses specifically and the marine industry in general. The event took place Tuesday, April 15 at Gordy’s Lakefront Marine on Lake Geneva in Fontana, Wis. Gordy’s is a member of both MRAA and WMA.

The day’s event kicked off with a continental breakfast at Gordy’s Cobalt Lounge, followed by a series of informative and diverse sessions on subjects affecting marine businesses in the current marketplace: “Digital Marketing & Social Media,” presented by Dominion Marine Media’s Courtney Chalmers; “The Hidden Dangers of Electric Shock Drownings,” presented by Chris Dolan of Eaton Corporation, a leader in the field of marina light and power; and “The Latest Trends in Marine Insurance,” presented by Norman-Spencer’s Mark Yearn, who addressed several key areas of concern related to marina and dealership business insurance, including workers compensation, the Longshoreman’s Act and pollution-related liabilities.

After a break for lunch, the afternoon sessions resumed with a presentation by MRAA president Matt Gruhn titled “The Most Important Question,” where Gruhn encouraged attendees to consider “why” they do what they do at their specific dealerships and build their business model around this philosophy; followed by a presentation about and update on the Marine Industry Certified Dealership by program director Sonja Moseley. WMA president Jon Kukuk, owner of Nestegg Marine in Marinette, Wis., concluded the day’s speaker lineup by facilitating an open conversation on Wisconsin-specific matters affecting marine businesses in the state.

“We had a stellar turnout for this event, and MRAA couldn’t be more pleased with the enthusiasm and vigor members of the Wisconsin association showed for the health and continued success of their individual businesses and the industry as a whole, ” says MRAA’s Gruhn. “The idea behind these sessions was to give dealers the tools they need to be successful and competitive in today’s market. Attendees walked away with an excellent base on which to build and grow their businesses, in a format that was structured enough to be effective, yet casual enough to let dealers interact with presenters and easily ask questions. Gordy’s was an excellent host, and we appreciate them holding this incredible event at their facility, which is among the very best in the marine industry.”

On the evening of Monday, April 14, an informal networking session/dinner was held at The Abbey Resort, the host hotel for WMA’s event. Here, attendees and members of WMA and MRAA were able to gather in advance of the following day’s educational sessions and mingle with peers. It got event attendees talking about some of the key issues impacting marine businesses.

“I’ve been chairman of the WMA since the association’s inception five years ago, and this was probably the best meeting we’ve ever had for our membership,” says Kukuk. “The curriculum was really dedicated to learning and education. An overwhelming majority of session participants left with more educational content then they could possibly comprehend and put into action immediately. The subject matter discussed affects all of us on a daily basis, and the sessions were designed to address some of our most pressing concerns as Wisconsin-based marine businesses, helping us tackle problems and make our lives easier. We already gained some new WMA members as a result of the meeting.”

To inquire about MRAA hosting an educational session for your state or regional marine trade association, contact Matt Gruhn at 763-333-2421 or matt@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

How do I handle press inquiries regarding my MICD status?

Here are three great tips for talking to/working with media outlets when they call to inquire about your MICD status or have general questions about the MICD Program:

1.) Designate a spokesperson. Make sure that when media calls — because you never can be sure who will call or when — you’re prepared. Decide ahead of time who will speak to media on behalf of the dealership, and inform the entire dealership staff of the designated individual’s name and contact info. That way, when someone calls and asks “Who handles your media inquiries?,” dealership staff is prepared to funnel the call to the appropriate person. This keeps the process consistent and professional, and media are directed to the right person each and every time.

2.) Be prompt and patient. Media typically have tight deadlines. Often, writers and reporters need something the very day they make contact in order to stay ahead of the curve and on top of publication dates. Yes, it can be inconvenient to drop everything to attend to a media phone call/interview request, especially during the height of boating season; however, it’s essential that you make media inquiries a priority. Respond to media promptly and with enthusiasm. If you’re having a rough day, try and tuck those feelings in your back pocket and put on your “game face” for the call. Be willing to answer all questions thoroughly and don’t rush reporters off the phone (or, if responding via e-mail, read responses for spelling and grammatical errors prior to hitting the “send” button). At the end of the interview (via phone or e-mail), always ask if you can help with anything else. Open the door for follow-up questions. “Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. I’m always happy to help!,” is a perfect way to close the communication. Leave a great impression so they’ll want to call you back and talk more about your dealership and Certified status for their next assignment!

3.) Offer photos and logos. Excellent and relevant photography is always of the utmost important to media outlets, especially print publications. On the next nice, sunny day, or during an upcoming dealership-sponsored event, take good quality photos. Show customers interacting with staff at the dealership, sea trialing the boats or enjoying themselves at a dealership barbeque or open house. Make sure photos are shot with a good quality camera at a high resolution setting (this is critical for print outlets like newspapers and magazines). Try and include the MICD logo whenever possible (on background signage, employee logoed clothing, etc.) to hammer home its importance to your business. This not only demonstrates your ongoing commitment to the program, but also the value you ascribe to Certification in general and providing exceptional service to your customers.

ABC Set for May 5-7 in Washington, D.C.

The American Boating Congress (ABC) is the industry’s annual legislative conference that brings recreational boating leaders to our nation’s capital to formulate public policy and present a unified front on issues that impact the health and profitability of marine businesses. This year, 38 organizations are endorsing ABC as co-hosts – including the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) – summoning an excellent cross-section of boating industry support for the event.

Attending ABC gives marine businesses an opportunity to learn how to grow in the current challenging economy; understand the status of key federal legislation concerning the marine industry; realize legislative and regulatory trends that impact business; and network with other leaders across all segments of the marine industry.

The key conference day is Wednesday, May 7. The morning kicks off with a number of guest Congressional speakers and an industry panel discussion, leading up to an afternoon of Hill visits. May 5 and 6 are primarily reserved for board and committee meetings.

MRAA and the Young Leaders Advisory Council (YLAC) will each hold Board of Directors meetings as part of the event. Members of both boards will walk the halls of Capitol Hill May 7, visiting the offices of their state delegations to discuss their businesses and the local economy, as well as key issues important to boat dealers, marina operators and boatyards. MRAA encourages its members to attend ABC and participate in the Hill visits.

MRAA has identified six issues that it considers high priority at this year’s ABC. We created six “leave-behinds” that outline these issues and their relevance to/potential impact on marine retailers. MRAA asks that you review this material. Copies of these leave-behinds will be made available to all marine retailers and state marine trades associations at ABC.

For more information on attending ABC, click here.

We look forward to seeing you in Washington next month!