MDCE 2014 issues Call for Presentations

ORLANDO – Organizers of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo are seeking educational session proposals from potential speakers for the 2014 MDCE, which will be held Nov. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla. The deadline to submit a proposal is March 14.

Presentations should be directed at an audience of marine dealership professionals, from dealership principals and general managers to employees and managers of such departments as sales, marketing, service, parts, accessories, F&I, boat clubs, boat rentals and marina operations.

MDCE organizers are looking for presentations on advanced, intermediate and fundamental business topics. The information to be presented should be timely, informative and educational, offering concrete takeaways the audience can bring back to their business to accelerate future success.

If you have an idea for an educational seminar that would make a meaningful contribution to MDCE 2014 and the presentations skills to entertain and engage our audience, we want to hear from you. To submit a presentation proposal, please visit www.mraa.com/?page=MDCE_Presentations and fill out the form. Have a question? Don’t hesitate to call or email Liz Walz at liz@mraa.com or 315-692-4533.

The 2013 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo attracted more than 600 dealership employees, a record number for the event. Add in exhibitors, sponsors and their staff, and the total attendance at the event was more than 1,100 people, also a new record.

One of the main draws of the event for dealers are its tracks of educational content. The 2014 Marine Dealer Conference and Expo will offer a fresh line-up of educational sessions, providing the new ideas, best practices and deep insight dealership professionals need to excel in a changing marketplace. To download an overview of the 2013 educational agenda or learn more about the 2014 event, visit www.mraa.com/event/MDCE_.

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. Click here to learn more.

Certified Dealership Program participation up 33 percent

MIAMI – The recently revamped Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program has made great strides since its soft launch in November of last year, and has already seen a 33-percent increase in the number of participating dealers, according to Sonja Moseley, Director of Certification and Benefits at the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, who administers the program on behalf of the Grow Boating Initiative.

In a presentation at the Miami International Boat Show’s Industry Breakfast, Moseley shared insights into the changes that the MICD Program has undergone, as well as the momentum it has gained within the industry. In November, Moseley introduced the changes to the program at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo and garnered renewed interest from a number of dealers.

“We listened to the industry,” Moseley explained, “and tailored the new program to the needs of the dealers and other industry constituents. It has been exciting to guide this evolution toward a program that is more cost- and time-effective, more value-minded, and more accessible to more dealers than ever before. ”

The MICD program has focused its recent changes on improving accessibility, cost and value. The revamped program allows dealers to move through three tiers of Certification en route to the pinnacle of the program, the Five Star MICD status. Not only does this format allow dealers to work at their own pace, it also provides for an entry point of less than $600 and breaks up the investment in a pay-as-you-go format.

The original premise of the MICD program, and the goal of the program today, is to assist dealers in their efforts to provide the best possible boating experience for their customers. The new, tiered format provides dealerships of all sizes a direct opportunity to improve their operations in a way that is proven to deliver a consistent, quality experience for today’s boat buyers.

“The new format opens the door to many dealerships who simply did not have the capacity in the past,” says Joe Lewis, general manager of Mt. Dora Boating Center, a one-location Certified Dealership, and Chairman of the Grow Boating board of directors. “It has been an outstanding evolution for the program because sometimes those smaller operations miss out on opportunities for professional growth due to limited staff and funds.”

At just $575 for the first tier of Certification, the cost for a dealer to get into the Certification program is 80-percent less than the previous cost structure required. What’s more is that the new program has eliminated the contribution that Grow Boating used to make toward helping dealers get Certified, and that money has been redirected to a marketing program that will increase exposure for Certified Dealers.

For dealerships that want to go straight to the top, the program offers a Fast Track option for $2,465, which combines three steps into one and saves the dealer a total of $375. Additionally, recertification requirements have been reduced to an every-other-year format, saving dealers half the time and cost of maintaining their status.

“These changes have helped us tell a great story about this program and have led us to an impressive increase in program participation,” Moseley explains, “but we’re very much looking forward to formally launching this program in the coming months because we are literally just getting started with our efforts to make Dealer Certification the useful tool that it was designed to be.”

Update on Ethanol

The anti-ethanol DC coalition, Smarter Fuel Future, which MRAA is a member, generated over 10,000 comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in support of its recent proposal to maintain 2013 blend volumes for corn-based ethanol. The marine industry contributed over 1,800 of those comments. During January, the coalition led a campaign that was strongly supported by MRAA, to support the EPA’s effort to cap the 2014 renewable fuel standard at 2013 levels. MRAA thanks the mass support marine retailers have given to this issue.

The campaign also generated many media hits with interest in building inform with the public about the harmful effects of corn-based ethanol on small engines used in boats, off-road vehicles, snow blowers, lawn mowers, and gasoline powered tools. FOX Business News reported the AAA has issued a warning to Americans that the efforts of the ethanol industry and the EPA to increase the blend level to E15 in cars can damage engines. Ten auto manufacturers have announced warranties would be voided if E15 is used in newer cars. To see the FOX news story click here.

MRAA continues to actively oppose corn-based ethanol in Congress. MRAA has supported several letters written by Congress to the EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and the President explaining the adverse effects corn-based ethanol has on marine engines and outboard motors.

MRAA Supports Change in Recreational Boat Definition in Longshore Act

MRAA supports H.R. 3896, a bill introduced on January 16, 2014 by Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, to amend the Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act to provide a definition of recreational vessel that is a better and clearer application of the Longshore Act to marinas and insurance companies providing service work on recreational boats. There are seven co-sponsors so far. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. No action has been scheduled by the Committee.

Several years ago, the boating industry united in supporting a revision to the Longshore Act to eliminate the need for marinas working on recreational boats to carry both state worker’s compensation and federal Longshore insurance on its workers. The Labor Department received 50 comments on definition of recreational boat during its rulemaking stage of that revision bill, but those recommendations were negated by the Department and went with the Title 46 definition, as amended by several other legal sources. Problems arose almost immediately with insurers saying the definition is too complicated and withdrew the sale of insurance. Longshore insurance generally costs about four times as much as worker’s compensation and for recreational marinas both would still be required.

The Labor Department has refused to re-open the Longshore rule saying an act of Congress is needed to make any change.

H.R. 3896 is a simple bill that defines recreational boat as 1.) a vessel being manufactured or operated primarily for pleasure, or 2.) leased, rented, or chartered to another for the latter’s pleasure. In addition, the bill says a vessel will be treated as a recreational vessel if it is a public vessel or a boat owned by the USA, a state, or political subdivision and is not normally engaged in the military or commercial industry.

No action has yet occurred on the bill.

The Taxing Question in Congress

For the past several years, Congress has faced a year-end deadline to pass the tax extenders bill. It has been one of Congress’s bad habits. But it did not happen this year causing several key pro-business tax deductions like the estate tax and allowing business to deduct the cost of equipment purchases in the year of purchase rather than gradually through depreciation.

In practice these temporary tax deductions have become permanent because of the sage of the annual temporary authorizations. Congress will again be looking at tax extenders in the coming weeks. MRAA will again push for the repeal or, at least, passage of last year’s $3.5 million exemption of the estate (death) tax. Last week Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada) said the Senate will take up tax extenders when the Chair of the Finance Committee, Max Baucus (D-Montana) departs the Senate for a new post as ambassador to China.

Congress Looks at Several Ways to Increase Revenue for Transportation

A bipartisan effort to find new revenue to fund roads, bridges, and mass transit may hit recreational boating hard. Historically, transportation has been a bipartisan effort in Congress. So far 25 Republicans and 25 Democrats in the House support a plan that would fund loans for infrastructure improvements from bonds that would be sold to companies who want tax break if cash earned abroad is brought back to the USA.

A 10 to 20 cent per-gallon increase in the federal gas tax is also on the table, but many think it would be a short-term fix to the needs of infrastructure. With a federal mandate in place to increase average mileage to 54.5 a gallon by 2025, many believe a higher gas tax is needed. Other possibilities include moving to a system that charges drivers a fee for every mile they travel.

Whatever happens in Congress MRAA thinks boaters may be paying more at the pump when the transportation bill passes Congress. MRAA opposes tax increases on gasoline or other revenue avenues that impact the ability of Americans to enjoy fishing and boating.

Congress Turns to Magnuson-Stevens, the Saltwater Fisheries Management Act

On February 4, 2014 the House Committee on Natural Resources held its first hearing on the re-authorization of the important Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act. This legislation guides federal saltwater fisheries management. A discussion draft of the authorization bill had been distributed to interested groups several weeks before the hearing.

MRAA is generally pleased with the discussion draft — it provides increased flexibility in setting fish catch limits and provides more local control of fisheries management, but remains concerned that the discussion draft fails to adequately address the needs of recreational fishing.

The next discussion draft will be distributed to interested groups in March. MRAA’s President Matt Gruhn said, “MRAA applauds the work of the Natural Resources Committee so far with its common sense reforms, but believes the re-authorization of Magnuson-Stevens this year provides an opportunity for Congress to adequately address recreational fishing and its impact on the economies of local communities. We are looking for consistency in the law and regulations that can be provided by a national policy for recreational fishing.”

MDCE launches 2014 survey

MINNEAPOLIS – Organizers of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo have begun planning for the 2014 educational agenda, including some new features that are expected to boost the value of the event beyond any prior MDCE.

Each year, building the MDCE educational line-up begins with a thorough review of the results of the previous event’s on-site educational session surveys, as well as post-event CSI surveys and feedback from attendees and the dealer-led MRAA Conference Committee. Those results are used to help craft an event survey that seeks to outline the topics most relevant to and desired by the dealer community. Organizers then pair those results with speaker research and input from its annual Call for Presentations to create a fresh educational agenda.

“This event is intended to provide your marine business with the expert insight to thrive in today’s market while staying ahead of what’s next in marine retailing,” explains Liz Walz, Director of Education for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, which co-produces this event with Boating Industry. “The survey will allow us to design a 2014 MDCE that delivers exactly what you need to accelerate your growth.”

Whether you’re a dealer, a service yard, a marina, a ship’s store or any another member of the marine retail community, we encourage you to complete the Pre-MDCE 2014 Dealer Survey. It should take only a few minutes, but could make an enormous difference in your success at the 2014 MDCE.

“We recognize that each dealership has a unique set of challenges and opportunities,” says Jonathan Sweet, Editor-in-Chief of Boating Industry. “That’s why your participation in this survey is so important to us. Please take just five minutes to help us make this your best MDCE yet.”

Here is a link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L8DQRZ8

Thank you for your help. If you have any questions or comments, we encourage you to e-mail Liz Walz. In the meantime, please mark your calendars for the 2014 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, Nov. 16-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

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 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, a keynote presentation, 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. Click here to learn more.

MRAA, Baird launch the Marine Retailer Pulse Report


MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the research division of Robert W. Baird have partnered to take a regular pulse of the marine industry, launching a first-of-its-kind monthly Marine Retailer Pulse Report.

The Marine Retailer Pulse Report gives MRAA members an in-depth view of key indicators driving the marine industry. The monthly data, generated by boat and engine dealers from across North America, will provide a window into the health of marine retail by aggregating retail perspectives on recent industry trends. It will also help MRAA and Baird establish the first Marine Retailer Sentiment Index, which will prove valuable over time as trends are established, as Baird has done in the RV industry.

“This is an incredible tool for our members to tap into as they look to gauge the trends across the industry,” says Matt Gruhn, President of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “These Pulse Reports will share very important data that will allow us to identify important trends and will allow us to assess the trends on the front lines of the marine industry.”

The Pulse Report not only charts such critical information as new boat retail demand, inventory levels, and access to credit on a monthly basis, but it also will dive into trending topics that are affecting retail and small business activity. In January, for example, the survey looks into the business impact of the Affordable Care Act. The full monthly Pulse Report will provide dealer commentary on the survey data, in addition to context from macro economic indicators.

The first Marine Retailer Pulse Report was published in January and is available to MRAA Members at https://mraa.com/?page=retail_data. It includes 28 pages of data and insight collected from the survey, as well third party aggregate data that provides a broader picture of the marine retail environment. And finally, Baird provides an analyst’s report along with the survey data, adding even further context. The next Pulse Report will be released in early February.

The Marine Retailer Pulse Report is one of many exclusive benefits offered to MRAA Members. Join MRAA today in its mission to improve the marine industry and your business.

About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, 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. The 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 Baird Research

Founded in 1919, Baird is an employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, asset management and private equity firm with $105 billion in client assets. Baird senior analyst Craig Kennison is responsible for the marine, RV, and powersports industries and is now in his 15th year at Baird. Craig can be reached at 414.765.3870 or ckennison@rwbaird.com.

Join us at ABC and give boating a voice in Washington, D.C.

Join the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, its members, and the members of more than 30 other associations at what will be the most influential event of 2014: The American Boating Congress, May 5-7 in Washington, D.C.

At last year’s Boating Congress, MRAA members, co-hosts and industry stakeholders completed more than 250 meetings on Capitol Hill, and there’s no question that elected officials listen when their constituents talk. The Boating Congress is your chance to join arms with other industry professionals who run businesses just like yours to bring a collective voice on the issues impacting the marine industry.

At this event, you can learn details and updates on many industry regulatory and legislative issues; meet with elected officials to discuss your policy concerns; speak directly with policymakers in your Congressional district; and hear from distinguished speakers on the topics that matter most to the marine industry.

The American Boating Congress brings industry leaders like you together to champion recreational boating, formulate public policy and present a unified front on issues that impact marine businesses. We hope to see you there.

Visit http://www.nmma.org/abc for more information and to register for the event.