MINNEAPOLIS — Premier Marine, Inc., a leading U.S. boat manufacturer, has signed on as a Platinum Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the highest level of support for the association.
“Given Premier’s support of the dealer community during the past decade, we are honored to have earned the company’s partnership,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “The Menne family’s long record of leadership and involvement in the Minnesota marine market, as well as their annual support of dealer-focused programs like the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo and the Top 100 Dealers Program makes their participation in MRAA particularly meaningful for me.”
Premier Marine, headquartered in Wyoming, Minn., manufactures the Premier, Leisure, Weeres and Palm Beach brands of pontoon boats. The company, which was founded in 1992, is an independent boat builder, owned and operated by the Menne family and known for its dedication to quality craftsmanship, practical design, new product development and continuous safety innovation.
“We believe boating is about family, and at Premier Marine, our dealer network is part of our family,” says Bob Menne, Premier Marine President. “When you care about the people with whom you do business, then it makes sense to invest in their success. Our partnership with the MRAA allows us to contribute to a better future for marine dealers and ultimately Premier Marine.”
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
MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has named Dominion Marine Media (DMM), the division of Dominion Enterprises that operates YachtWorld, Boat Trader and boats.com, as its 2012 Supplier of the Year. “We’ve been extremely impressed with the steps Dominion Marine Media has taken to support the dealer body,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “From its financial support of events like the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo and Boating Industry magazine’s Top 100 Dealers Program to its co-production of the Marine Retail University, Dominion Marine Media has proven it is a very dealer-centric organization that continues to make outstanding contributions to the industry. It is always willing to share data points that make dealers smarter.” DMM received the recognition from the MRAA for being the manufacturer or supplier that did the most to support the dealer body in 2012. DMM has focused its efforts on providing relevant and essential industry information for dealer and broker education. These initiatives include the Marine Retail Universities, Boat Trader Market Index reports, Yacht Brokerage Universities, and YachtWorld Market Index reports. In addition, DMM launched a number of well-attended webinars, social media seminars and training programs throughout the year. DMM joins past winners going back to 1980, including Sea Ray Boats, Grady-White Boats, Yamaha Motor Corp., Cobalt Boats, The Spader Companies, Volvo Penta, Norman-Spencer and Bellavia, Gentile & Associates, among others. “It is a real honor to be selected as Supplier of the Year by the MRAA and to be among such prestigious companies that have earned this distinction,” said Courtney Chalmers, director of marketing for Dominion Marine Media. “We value our partnership with the dealer and broker communities and will continue to provide education and information resources to advance their success.” The 2012 MRAA “Supplier of the Year” award was presented to DMM at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, held Nov. 11-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. 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
WASHINGTON — Pursuant to an order from a U.S. District Court and as required by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today recommended new recreational water quality criteria for states that will help protect peoples’ health during visits to beaches and waters year round. The science-based criteria provide information to help states improve public health protection by addressing a broader range of illness symptoms, better accounting for pollution after heavy rainfall, providing more protective recommendations for coastal waters, encouraging early alerts to beachgoers and promoting rapid water testing. The criteria released today do not impose any new requirements; instead, they are a tool that states can choose to use in setting their own standards. The criteria provide states and communities with the most up to date science and information that they can use to determine whether water quality is safe for the public and when to issue an advisory or a beach closure. EPA has provided a variety of other tools to help states evaluate and manage recreational waters. The new criteria are based on several recent health studies and use a broader definition of illness to recognize that symptoms may occur without a fever, including a number of stomach ailments. EPA also narrowed from 90 days to 30 days the time period over which the results of monitoring samples may be averaged. This produces a more accurate picture of the water quality for that given time, allowing for improved notification time about water quality to the public. This shortened time period especially accounts for heavy rainfall that can wash pollution into rivers, lakes or the ocean or cause sewer overflows. The strengthened recommendations include: More information: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/health/recreation/index.cfm We’re sharing an article from the Washington Post about the fiscal cliff talks at the White House that concluded a few minutes ago. The positive news coming out of the meeting has sent the major financial markets up today (at least for awhile). As expected, it looks like both sides are willing to compromise and may pass something by year’s end and postpone other tax and spending cuts until next year. All economists agree that the economy would fall into recession, if D.C. fails to find a solution. Click here to read the article. Larry Innis MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has partnered with Engaged! to design social media benefits and resources exclusively for MRAA members. “Social media has become an essential strategy for marine retailers to connect with prospects and customers,” says Liz Walz, MRAA Director of Membership & Marketing. “The social media packages being offered by Engaged! will allow our members access to their team of experts at an incredible value, whether they’re looking for ways to improve their dealership’s internal efforts or seeking an outside management solution.” Engaged! is an MRAA Premium Partner, one of the highest level of support for the association, with a central focus on providing social media services for the boating business. “While Engaged! serves companies throughout the marine industry, my experience working for Prince William Marina has given me a special passion for serving the marine dealer community,” says Josh Chiles, CEO of Engaged!. “I am thrilled to be able to help MRAA members realize a return on their investment in social media.” Through this members-only offer, Engaged! is providing two social media packages: a 1-Hour Social Media Review in which Chiles will evaluate the dealership’s current efforts and provide insight into how to improve their results; and the Anchors Aweigh Social Media Management Package, in which Engaged! will create and post social media content designed to meet the dealership’s goals. The 1-Hour Social Media Review is offered to members for a one-time payment of $239, a 20-percent discount. Anchors Aweigh is available exclusively to MRAA Members for the special price of $329 per month. In addition to these benefits, Engaged! and MRAA are developing social media resources to help members maximize their results, including the soon-to-be launched MRAA Guide: 30 Days of Social Media Content, written by Josh Chiles. For more information, visit 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 About Engaged! Engaged! is an Innovative Marketing company that has a specialty in the marine industry. Engaged! provides social media marketing, website design, search engine optimization and mobile application solutions to marine industry businesses across North America. Engaged! is also an official Brunswick Dealer Advantage provider and now an MRAA Premium Partner. Engaged! is on a mission to help the marine industry successfully use social media and digital technologies to grow and strength their business. For more information, visit: www.StartEngaging.com. MINNEAPOLIS — Marine Products Corp., a leading U.S. boat manufacturer and the parent company of Chaparral and Robalo, has been named a Partner Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “We are honored to have earned Chapparal and Robalo’s partnership, ” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “During the recession, their company demonstrated its commitment to their dealer networks, providing dealers with outstanding support during the most challenging of times. We are thrilled that they also have chosen to promote marine retail success through support of the MRAA.” Through its largest subsidiary, Chaparral Boats, Marine Products is one of the leading manufacturers of sterndrive powerboats in the United States. Marine Products also competes in the sport fishing boat marketplace with Robalo offshore sport fishing boats. “We invest in supporting our dealers because we understand how important a strong and balanced dealer-manufacturer relationship is to both parties’ success,” says Jim Lane, President of Chaparral Boats, Inc. and Robalo Boats, LLC. “Our partnership with the MRAA is another way we can encourage the success of the marine dealer body and ultimately, the entire boating business.” 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
MINNEAPOLIS — Crownline Boats, a leading U.S. manufacturer of sports boats, has been named a Partner Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “We are thrilled to have gained Crownline’s partnership, ” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “Through the support of such well-known boat brands, we can make a real difference for marine retailers, offering them resources, tools and benefits to drive their success.” Crownline Boats, founded in 1991, manufactures bowriders, cuddies and cruisers. From its corporate headquarters in West Frankfort, Ill., the company produces innovative, high quality craft that feature best-in-class warranty coverage. “At Crownline Boats, we believe the path to success is best traveled through partnership with the dealers that represent our brand in the field,” says Nathan Heisner, Director of Sales for Crownline Boats. “By supporting the MRAA, we can give back to the dealer community, helping them meet and exceed their business goals. ” 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
MINNEAPOLIS – For the first time in 2012, attendees of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo will have access to the MRAA Rewards Pavilion, a special area of the exhibit hall devoted to the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and its benefit providers. “During the past year, MRAA has tripled the number of benefits we offer our members,” says Liz Walz, MRAA Director of Membership. “Surveys suggest our members are not as aware of our benefits and what they offer as they should be. By bringing our benefit providers together in one area of the expo floor, we’re making it easy for MDCE attendees to explore the incredible value offered by MRAA membership.” The 2012 MDCE, produced in partnership between MRAA and Boating Industry, will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 11-14. The companies participating in the MRAA Rewards Pavilion include: ADP Lightspeed; Customer Service Intelligence, Inc.; Lighthouse Media Solutions; MarineLab Warranty Processing; Norman-Spencer Marine Insurance Services; Priority One Financial Services; Spader Business Management; Statistical Surveys, Inc.; TSYS Merchant Solutions; Discover Boating; and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. Together, the savings, revenue and performance-enhancement to be gained through MRAA membership are guaranteed to deliver a return on investment. “With the average annual savings of members who participate in the MRAA Shipping & Freight Program totaling $304, we have every confidence that those who take advantage of all that MRAA membership has to offer will find it delivers an impressive ROI,” Walz concluded.
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
MINNEAPOLIS — Cobalt Boats, one of the premier family-owned boat builders in North America, has been named a Partner Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “Cobalt Boats is a well known leader in the area of dealer relations,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “They have set a standard for the rest of the industry when it comes to dealer-manufacturer partnership, the effects of which are clearly evident to their customers. As such, we are honored that they have chosen to support our efforts at MRAA.” Headquartered in Neodesha, Kan., Cobalt Boats is a privately owned manufacturer of luxury boats from 20 to 32 feet in length. A leader in customer satisfaction, Cobalt has received the JD Power Award for Large Runabout CSI every year since 2001. “Part of the Cobalt family tradition is that we challenge ourselves to deliver the highest levels of value and customer service,” says Paxson St. Clair, CEO of Cobalt Boats. “But we realize that in order to meet those goals, we must have a strong and trusting partnership with our dealers that allows for and encourages success for all of us. We support the MRAA because we believe they share our vision of partnership and are working toward a better future for the entire industry and its customers.” 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
MINNEAPOLIS — Merrick Bank, a leading provider of nonprime finance options to marine dealers and their customers, has signed on as a Partner Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “As dealers have struggled to get their customers financed in a tight credit market, Merrick Bank has been a great resource for them, ” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “We are delighted that they have chosen to further their support of marine retailers through a partnership with MRAA.” Merrick Bank, founded in 1997, provides nonprime finance options to marine and RV dealers throughout the country, helping to facilitate boat and RV purchases for consumers who have experienced some past credit problems. With more than $1 billion in total assets, Merrick Bank specializes in credit programs that assist consumers looking to rebuild their credit rating. “Part of our mission at Merrick Bank is to make a positive difference in the lives of our customers,” says Scott Anderson, Vice President of Merrick Bank. “Our partnership with the MRAA helps us work toward a stronger boating business by encouraging marine dealer growth and improvement. Ultimately, we believe that leads to a better boat ownership experience. ” 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
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!Dominion Marine Media named MRAA Supplier of the Year
EPA Recommends New Recreational Water Quality Criteria to Better Protect Public Health
WP: ‘Fiscal cliff talks begin’
MRAA Legislative AffairsMRAA and Engaged! launch social media benefits for members
Chaparral and Robalo named MRAA Partner Members
Crownline signs on as MRAA Partner Member
MRAA Rewards Pavilion to launch at MDCE
Cobalt signs on as MRAA Partner Member
Merrick Bank named MRAA Partner Member
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