MINNEAPOLIS — Liz Walz has been named the Executive Director of the MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation created in 2004 to provide the recreational marine trades with financial support for education, training and professional development.
“We see an opportunity to infuse the foundation with some fresh ideas and direction,” says Ed Lofgren of 3A Marine, who serves as President of the MRAA Educational Foundation. “Liz has been involved with the Foundation through her role on the Darlene Briggs Award selection committee for many years. Her passion for the work of the Foundation, combined with her marketing and leadership skills make her a great fit for the job.”
As Executive Director of the MRAA Educational Foundation, Walz will be responsible for bringing new ideas to create energy and excitement around the opportunities that the Foundation makes available. That will mean new programs, new partner opportunities, and a larger reach through expanded marketing. The end goal is more retailers benefitting from the Foundation’s efforts.
“I’ve been inspired by the work of the MRAA Educational Foundation for many, many years, and I’m honored to be a part of its future,” says Walz. “We are privileged to have such an incredibly dedicated and skilled workforce in the marine business. By acknowledging their hard work and providing tools and resources to encourage professional development, we can not only better retain the best and brightest in our industry today, but also attract new talent.”
Walz will NOT be leaving her post at the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. In fact, this new role has come about at the same time that Walz’ position at the MRAA has evolved. Formerly the Director of Membership & Marketing, Walz will drop the marketing focus and replace it with a focus on Education, and her new MRAA title will reflect that: Director of Membership & Education.
“Liz carries an incredible amount of passion for creating educational benefits for MRAA Members, and it makes perfect sense for us to align her day-to-day responsibilities with that passion,” explains Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “As we grow and evolve as an association, we expect to continuously expand our service to our members and the entire dealership community through the development of new training and education opportunities. And there’s no one better suited to lead us down that path than Liz, who has not only the dedication but also the knowledge to make it happen.”
For the last three years, Walz has created the educational programming for the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. In 2012, attendees gave the MDCE’s educational sessions the highest scores in the history of the event. In 2013, Walz spearheaded the effort to not only invest more in the educational line-up but also to create the MDCE Pre-Conference Workshops, a first-time program that will take timely, critical topics to a deeper level than ever before. She also leads MRAA’s efforts to create educational sessions for the Marine Retail University event, a series of one-day, regional conferences that attracted more than 320 participants in its first season.
About MRAA Educational Foundation
As part of its mission to create a strong and healthy boating industry, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is committed to offering training, education and professional development opportunities to its members and the entire marine dealer community. In 2004, the association launched the MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine trades. For more information or to donate online, click here or visit
Stevensville, MD – Robin Harris is proud to announce her tenth anniversary as a premier marine finance services provider to dealers in the Mid-Atlantic states. The Harris Group was formed initially to provide modest sized boat dealers with a highly experienced and effective finance outsource facility. Harris then branched out to include direct public financing, including brokerage and private sales as well as a refinancing resource for all of her existing and future clients. To mark the 10th Anniversary additional experienced staff have been added and Harris has expanding her territory to include the entire East Coast and will continue to work with select dealers as their finance department and deal with select brokers and with the general boating public. Harris, a long time member of the National Marine Bankers Association, the American Vessel Documentation Association and, more recently, an MRAA Partner Member, provides a comprehensive menu of financing and associated services such as lien perfection, state titling, USCG documentation, marine insurance and buyer’s brokers expertise and skills. The Harris Marine Group consists of Harris Marine Financing, Inc including T/A Harris Tag and Title and Harris Marine Insurance, LLC and their associated operations who, together, provide complete marine finance and licensing services in furtherance of marine dealer operations and of the marine industry as a whole on the East Coast. Robin Harris is a Elected Vice President of the Marine Trades Association of Maryland and, through her MRAA Partnership, supports boaters, boater programs and dealers throughout the Country. A member of MRAA sent staff a note with great concern about significant increases to the price that distributors will be charging for gasoline beginning on September 16. According to the material supplied to the MRAA office, the primary driver of the conversion to sub-octane (typically 84-octane) gasoline is the Renewable Fuels Standard passed by Congress in 2005. That law requires a refiner to off-set fossil fuel production with a renewable fuel such as ethanol. Pipelines are transitioning to sub-octane gasoline due to limited tank space at the terminals. After September 16, it is anticipated pipeline systems will convert to 84-octane with an increase of up to 60 cents per gallon at wholesale. MRAA is attempting to verify this report. Contact has been made with the national association for gasoline refiners. The national association for gasoline refiners did not have a solid answer to the report. This group believed it may be a distribution or storage system issue. “There may not be capability in some areas to carry both finished products (multiple octane gasoline) that can be splash blended with ethanol,” said Geoff Moody, AFPM Washington Representative. Several additional inquiries have been placed with other oil industry groups in Washington to determine the scope of the issue. MRAA is a strong supporter of the elimination of the renewable fuel standard and is working with the oil industry and other boating groups on ethanol issue. The US Chamber of Commerce’s recent small business survey found that Washington policies hamper job growth, with over a quarter of small businesses saying they have lost employees in the past year. According to the survey, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is a top concern increasing by 10% since June 2011. Seventy-one per cent of small businesses say the health care law makes it harder to hire, and only 30% say they are prepared for the requirements of the law. Among the small businesses that will be impacted by the employer mandate to provide health care insurance for employees, one-half say they will either cut hours to reduce the number of full-time employees or replace full-time employees with part-time workers. The survey also said small businesses are looking to legislative solutions with 42% expressing concern that too many government regulations are adversely impacting business and want Congress to remove barriers to encourage growth. Reform to the tax code is supported by 83% with the majority supporting a less complex tax code. The biggest group of small businesses would like to see an easing of regulations of the US Environmental Protection Agency. The only thing that scares small business more than what the federal government has done is what the federal government will do next. The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas joined with other marine groups in a grassroots campaign requesting the US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Quality to complete the saltwater criteria document for copper that would be based on new data and the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM). This new standard would allow for more accurate marine and estuarine water quality criteria to be developed to protect the environment and would create more scientifically defensible regulatory actions in coastal states. MRAA sent a letter to the appropriate state environmental departments in every coastal state asking for their support. A more precise method of determining copper toxicity levels is desired for the marine industry due to the great uncertainty and misguidance surrounding the use of copper bottom paints and how these paints truly effect the environment. Boat bottom paints that contain copper are widely used as the most effective means of preventing bio-fouling of hulls. MRAA believes 80-90% of commercial vessels use copper based paints because there is simply nothing better on the market. Recreational boaters use this type of paint more than any other. Marinas traditionally haul boats and pressure-wash bottoms to remove algae and other marine growth. This activity requires a special permit under the Clean Water Act. The permit review process has often resulted in marinas stopping pressure washing or the installation of expensive equipment and/or storm water runoff treatment systems. If a marina can have its permit levels for copper based on the BLM, MRAA believes it can more readily make decisions as to treatment options or even if a treatment system is needed. The BLM established water quality system would protect the environment with scientific-based data and would not burden the boater or the marina/boat yard. MRAA asked the state governments to request the US EPA place a high priority on the project. MINNEAPOLIS — MarineMax, Inc., a new and used boat dealer and yacht broker, and the largest marine dealer in the world, has renewed as a Retail Premium member with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “This is the highest level of support a retailer can provide the association, and that level of commitment is something we are very excited to have earned and kept,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “Our focus on creating a stronger retail network to help grow the marine industry is something we take very seriously, and we’re honored to be supported by such industry leading businesses as MarineMax.” As the world’s largest boat retailer, MarineMax offers 54 locations that sell new and used recreational boats, including pleasure and fishing boats. It prides itself on pro-active service, financing and insurance, educational programs for the entire family, access to Getaways trips and events which unite boaters with their SELF and others on the water.
“We have always been dedicated to improving our business and the marine industry as a whole, and our support of the MRAA is another route to helping us accomplish that,” says Bill McGill, President and CEO of MarineMax, Inc. “MRAA’s focus on helping dealers improve the boating experience for their customers is something we strongly believe in, and our level of support as a Retail Premium Member, we believe, demonstrates that.”
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
MINNEAPOLIS — Russo Marine, New England’s leading powerboat dealer, has renewed its membership with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas at the highest level of support a dealership can offer—Retail Premium. “I am a strong believer in the MRAA, ” said Larry Russo, President & CEO of Russo Marine. “We are always looking for ways to help the boating industry succeed, and MRAA’s efforts have contributed significantly to this goal. Whether through its lobbying in Washington, D.C., developing new member benefits or implementing the annual Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, the MRAA approaches everything from a dealer’s standpoint, and that is something we encourage and want to share with other marine dealerships.” Russo Marine, the family owned and operated marine business, was founded in 1940. With three sales and service facilities, it specializes in the sales of powerboats up to 60 feet, representing Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Bayliner, Meridian Yachts and Greenline boat lines. “We are thankful for Russo Marine’s long-term support at such a high level,” said Matt Gruhn, President of the MRAA. “Larry’s passion for the association and industry success has always been one of the most energized and influential perspectives out there. We are proud and very grateful to have their continued support.” 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
MINNEAPOLIS — Brunswick Corporation, a market leader in the marine industry with its many boat brands and Mercury Marine engines, has renewed its Platinum Partner membership with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. This is the highest level of support an organization can provide the Association. “Brunswick highly values its partnership with the MRAA,” says Andy Graves, president of Brunswick Boat Group. “We understand that the dealer is a focal point to industry success, and through our partnership with MRAA, we can support an initiative that aims to better those retail businesses that are so vital to our collective success.” The Brunswick Boat Group is based in Knoxville, Tenn., and builds some of the most respected legacy brands within the industry. Overseeing nearly 15 brands of boats, the company is one of the largest makers of pleasure boats in the world. “In addition to creating reliable, intuitively-designed products, we are very much committed to improving the boating experience by engaging boaters and creating the best possible support for them,” said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine. “Dealers are at the forefront of these activities and we are pleased to continue our partnership with MRAA as it works to continuously improve the retail boating experience.” While marine products comprise that largest portion of it business, Brunswick Corporation, headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., is also the world’s leading maker of fitness equipment and bowling and billiards products. “Brunswick’s support of the MRAA is invaluable and makes them a key player in the growth of the association,” says Matt Gruhn, President of the MRAA. “Its corporate philosophy aims to develop superior products and exceed consumer expectations. Similar in perspective, the MRAA’s philosophy strives to improve those businesses that have influence on the boater’s experience. Brunswick Corporation’s approach to business, and its partnership with the MRAA, shows a strong effort to create a successful marine industry.” 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
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The MRAA Educational Foundation is seeking nominations and applications for the 2013 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award. The late Darlene Briggs, of Wayzata, Minn., was admired for her tireless dedication to the marine industry. To honor her memory, the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year award was founded in 1987. It is presented annually to an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the marine industry at any level. It recognizes “long and devoted service, untiring commitment, and the advancement of women in the marine business.” “I think women are a lot more active in the marine industry now; their voice is being heard,” said Debbie Meigs, the 2012 Darlene Briggs Award recipient and senior customer service representative for Cobalt Boats, in an interview with Boating Industry magazine. “And it is not necessarily due to more women owning businesses or more are in higher positions, it is the respect we are given due to the job and role we play in the industry that challenges us to be more involved.” The 2013 recipient will be presented with the award at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, Orlando, Fla., Nov. 17–20, by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Boating Industry magazine. The recipient receives a trophy furnished by Boating Industry, which will publicize the presentation and feature the successful candidate in an issue following the event. For more information, to apply or nominate, please visit the Darlene Briggs Award page of the MRAA website: www.mraa.com/?page=Darlene_Briggs_Award. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Walz at liz@mraa.com or 315-692-4533.
About MRAA Educational Foundation The MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation, was founded in 2004 to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine trades. MRAA recognizes the need to provide for the growth of our dealerships and the professional development of their employees. MRAA and the MRAA Educational Foundation are dedicated to the growth of the recreational marine industry through workforce development. For more information, visit 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
MINNEAPOLIS – Come November, most dealers will find themselves gearing up for the winter boat shows, and to help them prepare for the season, the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo will be featuring a three-hour, pre-conference workshop titled, “Best In Show: How to Boost Your Boat Show Sales.” This pre-conference workshop will be held Nov. 18th at 8:45 a.m. at the beginning of the MDCE. The MDCE is scheduled for Nov. 17-20 in Orlando, and this workshop, one of nearly 30 educational sessions offered at the event, will share numerous tactics for helping dealers to close more deals at boat shows. Presented by Don Cooper, the Boat Show Workshop will provide a series of takeaways dealers can immediately put to work to help them have their best boat show ever. Don Cooper provides insight into his session: MDCE Video Channel “A boat show presence is one of the most significant marketing costs that a dealer faces every year, so it’s critically important that dealers know how to make the most of these events,” explains Jonathan Sweet, Editor-in-Chief of Boating Industry, a co-producer of the MDCE. “This workshop is a no-brainer for dealers to attend because it will not only provide incredible insights into how to be effective at a boat show, but it will also provide the actual tools dealers can use to find success.” In this pre-conference workshop, dealers will learn how to separate buyers from tire kickers, how to differentiate their boats and exhibit from everyone else’s and how to beat price discounters. Cooper will demonstrate the first thing you should say to a consumer in your booth, as well as how to sell your dealership and convert show leads into real sales. Additionally, attendees of this workshop will walk away with a boat show checklist that has been custom designed to make pre-show planning easy and to ensure your dealership is thoroughly prepared for a successful event. “If you’re serious about selling more boats at your next show, you will not want to miss this workshop,” Cooper explains. “From real world research to timely sales strategies, this session will give you everything you want to know about boosting your sales at the show.” In addition to the custom checklist, attendees of Cooper’s boat show workshop will also receive a package of five special reports: 27 Ways to Build Trust With Your Prospect; Your Greatest Sales Weapon; Six Assumptions That Are Killing Your Sales; Please Ask Me for a Discount; and 59 Ways to Agree With Your Customer. These sales tools can help any sales person improve their strategies on a year-round basis. The MDCE Pre-Conference Workshops require a separate registration, above and beyond the MDCE Standard Registration. The three-hour workshops are $175 ($135 for MRAA Members) while the 1.5-hour sessions are $129 ($99 for MRAA Members). In addition to the Best In Show Workshop, the MDCE Pre-Conference Workshop line-up will include: • Creating CEOs: Customer Experience Owners • Action Plan for Accelerated Growth • Build a Service Menu to Maximize Profitability • Put Mobile Apps to Work For Your Dealership • Crank Up Your Search Engine Marketing • A Guide to Turning Facebook “Likes” Into Leads Each workshop features a tangible takeaway that dealers can use to strengthen their businesses, such as the checklist and the special reports that Cooper is providing. To register for a workshop, simply select the session you’d like to attend while registering at http:www.mraa.com/event/MDCE. 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 nearly 30 sessions in all. It will be held Nov. 17-20 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Learn more at www.mraa.com/event/MDCE. I can help you navigate the site, find resources, and answer dealership questions. Feel free to type your question below or select one of the options to get started!Harris Marine Group Celebrates 10TH Anniversary
Conversion to Sub-octane Gasoline Threatens Boating
Washington Policies Continue to Hamper Business hiring and growth
MRAA Asks States to Support Completion of EPA Study on Copper Bottom Paints
MarineMax, Inc. Renews Its Retail Premium Membership with MRAA
Russo Marine Renews its Retail Premium Membership with MRAA
Brunswick Corporation Renews as Platinum Partner Member with the MRAA
Nominations and applications sought for 2013 Darlene Briggs Award
MDCE Boat Show Workshop to share keys to closing more sales
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