Bonnier Corp’s Glenn Hughes named Jerry Martin Journalism Award recipient

MINNEAPOLIS – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas presented its 2012 Jerry Martin Journalism Award to Glenn Hughes, Vice President and Group Publisher of Bonnier Corp’s Marine Division, at the 2012 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo.

“As a former journalist myself, I very much appreciate the great lengths that Glenn has gone to in support of the marine industry,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “A publisher has multiple responsibilities to juggle on any given day, which makes us all that much more impressed that he has made his industry work such a high priority.”

Hughes was recognized as one of the greatest contributors of 2012 to boating advocacy journalism.

In just the last year, Hughes has led his company’s involvement in the Water Sports Foundation’s safe boating U.S. Coast Guard grant, which runs across ALL of its marine brands. He led the development of innovative webisodes, games, quizzes, and other content to increase consumer knowledge of boating safety, particularly in the area of boating under the influence, navigation rules of the road and the use of life jackets.

To demonstrate his commitment to the marine industry, he attended numerous industry events, including the International Water Safety Summit, the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, the American Boating Congress and the Industry Growth Summits. Earlier this year, Hughes became a member of the Grow Boating Board of Directors, and he orchestrated the effort for his company, Bonnier Corporation, to donate substantial advertising and media to promote dealer certification and other Grow Boating initiatives.

He is the past Chairman of the American Sportfishing Association’s Data and Statistics Committee, and a current member of its Government Affairs Committee. He also led the effort for Bonnier’s sponsorship of the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s Day on the Water at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and he is the chairman of the Boating Task Force for the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.

“I’d like to thank the MRAA for this prestigious award. I always appreciated the effort made by Jerry Martin to reach out across the industry, and I am honored to be associated with him,” says Hughes. “The marine industry is my passion, and I am very blessed to be working with great people and in an environment that promotes the boating lifestyle. I owe so much to so many for these past 25 years and can’t imagine spending my time doing anything else. If I’m not talking about boating, I’d like to think I’m on the water sharing the experience with others.”

This award was named in honor of Jerry Martin, a significant contributor to the MRAA and one of the biggest dealer advocates of his time in the industry. He led the MRAA’s famed shirt-sleeve sessions for many years, and he worked tirelessly to support marine dealers in every facet of the business. This award was renamed in his honor in 2007.

About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. MRAA is the united voice of marine retailers. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com.

Debbie Meigs receives 2012 Darlene Briggs Award

ORLANDO, Fla. – Debbie Meigs, senior customer service representative with Cobalt Boats, Neodesha, Kan., was named the 2012 Darlene Briggs Award Winner during a luncheon Nov. 14 at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. The honor is given annually to an outstanding woman in the marine industry.

A 38-year veteran of the marine industry, Meigs has served in a variety of roles for Cobalt, including the organization of its customer satisfaction training for both internal use and Cobalt’s dealer network. Additionally, Meigs has remained involved in industry organizations, serving in the past as chair of the NMMA CSI Steering Committee.

“Through her contributions to both Cobalt and boating as a whole, Debbie has truly raised the bar for customer service in this industry,” Jonathan Sweet, editor-in-chief for Boating Industry magazine, said.

At the event, Boating Industrymagazine’s national sales manager, Kathy Johnson, introduced the 2011 Darlene Briggs Award Winner, Jewell “Julie” Crowe of Crowe Marine, who presented the award.

The recipient of the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award demonstrates leadership and commitment to the boating business. Recipients also must show a willingness to volunteer their time and effort in their communities and social organizations.

This award was established in 1987 in honor of Darlene Briggs of Wayzata Marine, who exemplified these qualities, serving as the first retail marine saleswoman in Minnesota and the first female member of her state marine trades association. It is sponsored byBoating Industrymagazine, MRAA Spader 20 Group 103 and MRAA.

The 2011 recipient was Jewell “Julie” Crowe, co-owner of Crowe Marine. Other past recipients include: Barbara Woodard, accessories manager at Woodard Marine; Nancy Smith, co-owner of boat dealership Colorado Boat Center; Ann Baldree, national and international sales manager of Marine Products Corp.; Marcia Kull, vice president and general counsel of Volvo Penta; Joan Maxwell, president of Regulator Marine Inc.; Kris Carroll, president of Grady-White Boats, Inc.; Lynn Fiorenzano of Silver Spring Marine; and Maureen Dickson of Cap Sante Marine.

The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo was held Nov. 11-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

AAA Speaks Out Against Ethanol

Yesterday, the American Automobile Association issued a press release opposing E15 gasoline and urging the Environmental Protection Agency to stop the sale of E15 until consumers are better protected. The 53-million member organization is one of the biggest consumer lobby organizations in Washington, D.C., so this news is big for the support of MRAA’s position on E15. 

The press received a great deal of exposure yesterday, including this article from Business Week.

The MRAA and the rest of the marine industry has been working diligently to fight against E15, as well, and you can catch up on the latest information regarding this here.

Larry Innis
MRAA Legislative Affairs

Reaching out to the Hispanic Market

As the largest minority group in the U.S. Hispanics are becoming an increasingly valuable segment within our economy. Recently, AdAge Magazine reported that “Latinos are fueling growth of the population, Internet usage, technology sales and pumping more than $1 trillion of spending power into the economy.”

Similarly, Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment of anglers, forecasted to grow to 18% of the overall market by 2015 (Mintel, 2012). With positive perceptions towards fishing and family values, and spending time outdoors, Hispanics have the potential to significantly grow boating and fishing participation in the coming years.

A key strategy this year, RBFF is working to learn more about the Hispanic community, and how they’re motivated to add fishing and boating to their outdoor activities consideration set.

“These individuals are very family-oriented and are more likely to engage in group activities rather than individual activities,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We want to help them get out on the water fishing and boating, and enjoying our aquatic natural resources.”

PILOT PROGRAM

align=Using research and previous learnings, RBFF, this fall, conducted a test campaign of Hispanic Marketing to help determine what messaging, creative and digital behaviors resonate with the Hispanic audience. Read more.

Marine Five Star Dealer Certification Recognizes Retailers with Two New Awards

ORLANDO (November 14, 2012) – Marine Five Star Dealer Certification (MFSDC), one of the core elements of the Grow Boating Initiative, announced today recipients of two new awards to honor certified marine dealerships for best practices and best places to work. Honorees received their awards this afternoon at the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo (MDCE) in Orlando. These awards recognize outstanding Marine Five Star Certified Dealers based on results from a confidential employee satisfaction survey and from the MFSDC certification business audit review. 

“Best practices and employee satisfaction are key elements in the MFSDC program — designed to enhance the consumer boat-buying and owning experience — which encourages sales and stronger, more profitable dealerships,” said Matt Gruhn, president of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA). “We honor these Marine Five Star Certified Dealers for their efforts to improve our industry and to lead the way for others.”

MFSDC Best Practices Award
MFSDC “Best Practices” are a part of the certification process that recognizes thoughtful and cost-effective ways to do business while maintaining quality and eliminating variability. They are methods or techniques that have shown superior, consistent results often at a low cost of implementation. Those participating in MFSDC have exclusive access to hundreds of Best Practices and can use them as benchmarks in their business. They are a feature of accredited management standards such as ISO 9000 and ISO 14001, and many others programs, including MFSDC.

Based on Best Practices identified in certifications and continuations from November 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012, below are MFSDC’s top 10 Certified Dealers for Best Practices:

  • First Place: The Great Outdoors Marine (Lavalette, W.V.)

The following winners are listed in alphabetical order:

  • Bass Pro Shop/Tracker Boat Center (Atlanta, Ga.)
  • Candlewood East (Candlewood, Conn.)
  • Captain’s Marine (Kalispell, Mont.)
  • Clark’s Landing (Chester, Md.)
  • Clark Marine (Manchester, Maine)
  • Fay’s Marina (LaPorte, Ind.)
  • Hurst Marina (Manotick, Ontario, Canada)
  • Marine Max (Ft. Myers, Fla.)
  • Prince William Marine (Woodbridge, Va.)

“The Certified Dealers recognized with the MFSDC Best Practices Award strive to improve their operations in efficiency, profitability, customer satisfaction, growth and profitability,” said Terry Leitz, MFSDC director. “The leadership of these dealers creates a culture of innovation and continuous improvement that serves as role models for the marine retail industry.”

MFSDC’s Best Dealerships to Work For Award
This new award has been established to honor Certified Dealers for their commitment to employee satisfaction, as evaluated by their employees through a confidential survey in the certification and continuation process. High employee satisfaction creates a positive, motivating and successful environment, all of which lead to increased sales, profits, employee retention and higher customer satisfaction

Based on results from a confidential MFSDC employee satisfaction survey completed by Certified Dealerships between November 1, 2011 and October 31, 2012, below are the top 10 Certified Dealerships to Work For:

  • First Place:Schock Boats (Newport Beach, Calif.)

The following winners are listed in alphabetical order:

  • Airport Marine (Alabaster, Ala.)
  • Chesapeake Whalertowne (Grasonville, Md.)
  • Hall Marine Group – Sea Ray Scout of Charleston (Charleston, S.C.)
  • MarineMax (Catawba Island, Ohio)
  • Tracker Boat Center (Austin, Texas)
  • Tracker Boat Center (Longview, Texas)
  • Tracker Boat Center (Brainerd, Minn.)
  • Trudeau’s (Portland, Ore.)
  • Trudeau’s Marina (Spokane, Wash.)

“The winning dealers promote a motivating, healthy and fun culture for their staff. By striving to do right by their employees, in turn, employee loyalty delivers for the overall business,” noted Leitz. “What these dealers have in common is respect for their employees and an understanding that when employees consider their company a good place to work, it changes the business model.”

For more information on Marine Five Star Dealer Certification, visitGrowBoating.org/programs/dealers/default.aspxor call 800-975-7894.

About Grow Boating:The Grow Boating Initiative is a cooperative effort by the recreational boating industry to promote the boating lifestyle and improve the boating experience to increase participation, and ultimately, sales of marine products and services. For more information and stakeholder resources, visitGrowBoating.org.

Recreational fishing infrastructure eligible for disaster assistance

According to a press release distributed yesterday, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs confirmed that recreational fishing infrastructure such as marinas, tackle and bait stores and public access points that provide fishing access are eligible for disaster assistance under the fishery disaster declaration.

Read the entire release here.

Home mortgage interest deduction back ‘on the table’

The following is an article in today’s Washington Post that says the home mortgage interest deduction, including the second home interest deduction, is on the table as a means to address the fiscal cliff. It has been on and off the table for a long time now with staff saying only last week that it will not be considered until a tax code overhaul next year. Options include reducing the $1,000,000 loan max to total repeal.

Mortgage-interest deduction could be on the table in ‘fiscal cliff’ debate

Larry Innis
MRAA Legislative Affairs

MRAA introduces Guide to Success in 2013

MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has created the MRAA Guide to Success in 2013, a handbook containing more than 100 ideas to amp up dealership results in areas like sales, service, marketing, F&I and management.

This incredible 40-page resource, created in partnership with Lighthouse Media Solutions, includes 13 articles from 11 industry experts, including speakers at the 2012 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo and several of MRAA’s trusted benefit providers.

“This guide is designed to complement the incredible value offered to our members at this year’s MDCE,” says Liz Walz, MRAA Director of Membership & Marketing. “When added to the notes, contacts and new ideas collected during the 2012 event, MRAA members can’t help but enter 2013 better prepared for success than any year yet. It is one more example of the much-needed resources and benefits membership provides.”

MRAA will deliver a free copy of this publication to any new or renewing members who join the association in the months of November and December It is also available to current members through the growing MRAA Rewards Resource Center at MRAA.com.

“As marine dealers plan for 2013, this is exactly the kind of information that can help them achieve the growth and improvement they seek,” says Mike Alleva, Vice President of Marketing & Client Strategy for Lighthouse Media Solutions. “We were thrilled to partner with MRAA to produce this guide because we share a common passion for contributing to dealer success.”

About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. MRAA is the united voice of marine retailers. For more information, visit

MRAA elects new officers and regional directors, appoints new at large directors

MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas elected new officers and regional directors and appointed new at large directors for 2013 during its Annual Meeting at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla.

During the meeting, which took place on Nov. 12, the following officers were elected:

· Steve Baum of Boat Owners Warehouse (Ft. Lauderdale), Chairman;

· Randy Wattenbarger of Cleveland Boat Center (Cleveland, Tenn.), Vice Chairman; and

· Joe Lewis of Mt. Dora Boating Center (Mt. Dora, Fla.), Secretary/Treasurer

· David Foulkrod of Ron Hoover RV & Marine (Rockport, Texas) will now serve as Immediate Past Chairman

Members also voted during the meeting to elect to three-year terms as Regional Directors:

· Rob Soucy of Port Harbor Marine (South Portland, Maine) as Region 1 Director (Maine, Mass., N.H., Vt.);

· Jeff Strong of Strong’s Marine (Mattituck, N.Y.) as Region 2 Director (Conn., N.Y., N.J., R.I.);

· Darren Plymale of Galati Yacht Sales (Anna Maria, Fla.) as Region 5 Director (Ala., Fla., Ga., Miss.);

· Nancy Smith of Colorado Boat Center (Loveland, Colo.) as Region 8 Director (Colo., Iowa, Kan., Mo., Mont., Neb., N.M., Wyo.); and

· Carly Poole of Buckeye Marine Center (Bobcaygeon, Ontario) as Region 11 Director (Canada).

“We appreciate the incredible contributions of our 2012 officers and board members,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Under their guidance, the MRAA put in place a long-term strategic plan and took some giant leaps forward on many of the initiatives within that plan. As 2013 gets underway, we look forward to what we can accomplish with the fresh energy and ideas of our new officers and board members.”

Incoming Chairman Steve Baum also appointed four at-large directors to one-year terms, including:

· Don MacKenzie of Boats Inc. (Niantic, Conn.);

· Brett McGill of MarineMax Inc. (Clearwater, Fla.);

· Larry Tague of Lake Viking Marine (Gallatin, Mo.); and

· Ryan Hebert of Texas Marine (Beaumont, Texas).

“We’ve achieved a great deal over the course of the last year, and we’re excited to have an influx of new perspectives on our board,” says Baum. “We expect that by combining some new thinking and new approaches with the experience of our current board members, we can continue the momentum of the past year while uncovering new opportunities.”

About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. MRAA is the united voice of marine retailers. For more information, visit

Marine Retail University scheduled for Maine this December

MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, Dominion Marine Media and the Maine Marine Trades Association are pleased to announce their partnership in bringing a Marine Retail University event to Saco, Maine, this December.

The Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University is a four-stop educational event that offers dealer educational opportunities based on trends and opportunities in local and regional markets. Two MRUs have been held to date, one in San Antonio in October and one in Orlando earlier this month. The event series will stop in Lansing, Michigan, on December 5-6 before its final stop of 2012 takes it to Saco, Maine, on December 12.

“The MRU concept has found great success in just its first year,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “We’re thrilled to bringing the concept to Maine to help the area’s dealers learn more about what’s happening in their market and how to take advantage of the opportunities.”

Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University events are set up to provide five or six full educational sessions in a single-day format so that dealers can get in, focus on opportunities to make their business stronger and get back to their dealerships the next day. The morning sessions share data and trends from the likes of Statistical Surveys, GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance, and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, and the afternoon sessions demonstrate how dealers can take that knowledge and capitalize on it through separate sales, marketing and F&I educational sessions.

“This formula has worked very well for the two MRUs we’ve conducted to date,” explains Courtney Chalmers, Director of Marketing for Dominion Marine Media. “These one-of-a-kind events provide an excellent opportunity for dealers to create advantages for themselves as they move into the 2013 selling season.”

Registration for the Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University is just $99, and both MRAA and Maine Marine Trades Association members receive a $25 discount (total of $50 off if they are members of both) to make the MRU events not just efficient, but cost-effective as well.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our members access to the outstanding educational content that the MRU provides,” says Susan Swanton, Executive Director of the Maine MTA. “It’s just one more way that we can add value to their membership and contribute to their long-term success.”

About Marine Retail University

The Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University is a series of regional dealer educational conferences. Launched in 2012 as a partnership between the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Dominion Marine Media, these regional events seek to provide attendees with in-depth market knowledge and the tactics to capitalize on those insights. The partners work closely with regional and state associations to deliver additional value to their members. Norman-Spencer Marine Insurance Services supports MRU as the title sponsor of the event series. To bring an MRU event to your association, to support an MRU event or for more information, please contact Matt Gruhn at 763-315-8043 or matt@mraa.com.