MRAA Leads MTAs in Opposition to National Oceans Policy

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas led a group of 14 national and state marine trades associations in strong opposition to the proposed National Oceans Policy developed by a White House Commission.

In a letter to the Chairman and ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, the group said a national oceans policy should be designed to stimulate job creation and economic growth, in addition to conserving our natural resources and marine habitat of our nation’s valued oceans and coastal regions. Because the newly proposed policy has the potential of doing great harm to marine commerce, recreational and commercial fishing, recreational boating, and waterborne transportation, the letter asked the Appropriations Committee to delay implementation of the newly designed ocean policies of the National Ocean Policy Council.

One of the major problems with the policy is the risk of unintended economic and society consequences due, in part, to the unprecedented geographic scale of the recommendations. Concerns are heightened because the policy has been cited as justification in a federal decision restricting access to certain areas for commercial activity without justification by scientific research or data.

Another problem is uncertainty abounds due to confusion of the policy, especially how it will be implemented and the role of the stakeholders and state governments. Even the policy says it may create a level of uncertainty and anxiety among those groups who rely on these resources.

In addition, the letter says scarce monetary resources should be allocated to existing programs and activities and are necessary for the economy to develop and properly function. During a time of constrained budgets, we are concerned that the federal agencies have been asked to prioritize the National Ocean Policy in the 2013 state budgets and existing resources should be re-purposed to follow the new policy. Instead of spending limited resources on existing programs, the policy is supporting further uncertainty and restrictions to support new government procedures and regulations.

What are the Recommendations of the National Oceans Policy? The implementation strategy of the National Oceans Council identifies nine objectives that our nations will pursue to address the pressing challenges facing the oceans and the Great Lakes.

  1. Adopt ecosystem-based management as a foundation principle to comprehensive management of the oceans and Great Lakes. (MRAA: This objective places habitat restoration and the environment ahead of the economy and jobs.)
  2. Implement comprehensive ecosystem-based coastal marine spatial planning and management. (MRAA: This objective does not consider the importance of businesses on the coasts to local towns and cities.)
  3. Increase knowledge to continually inform and improve policy decisions.
  4. Coordinate and support federal, state, tribal and local management of the oceans. (MRAA: This objective takes away the rights of local and state governments to determine their own priorities and land usage.)
  5. Strengthen resiliency of coastal communities and marine environments and their abilities to adapt to climate change.
  6. Establish integrated ecosystem protection and restoration strategies to meet the goals of the government.
  7. Enhance water quality
  8. Address environmental stewardship in the face of climate-induced and other environmental changes.
  9. Strengthen ocean observing systems, data collection platforms and mapping capabilities.

Read the letter here.

Michigan Boating Industries Association to host Marine Retail University

MINNEAPOLIS – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Dominion Marine Media announced today that the Michigan Boating Industries Association has become the second state marine trade association to sign on to host a Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University event.

The event, scheduled for December 5-6, 2012, will be held at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Mich., and will collaborate with the Recreational Boating Education Conference, which MBIA hosts on an annual basis. MRU will be featured as its own educational track, and the MRU will make sponsorship and exhibit opportunities available.

“We’re excited to be partnering with the MRU, and we look forward to opportunities this partnership will create for our members and our association,” says John Ropp, president of MBIA. “This is a great opportunity for us to provide a one-of-a-kind educational track for our attendees, and we’re particularly excited about the market-specific content that the MRU offers our members.”

This Norman-Spencer Marine Retail University event will feature four targeted educational sessions, an expo hall, and a series of networking sessions, including a welcome reception on December 5th. The educational sessions will feature market-specific sales and dealer-performance data that will offer attendees market insights that can help them make better business decisions. GE Commercial Distribution Finance will provide a session on economic trends and dealer performance; Statistical Surveys will provide detailed insights into sales trends and market performance; and Dominion Marine Media will present best practices and expert advice on how to develop your market in today’s economy. Another educational session will be added soon.

“We are excited to be a part of the MBIA Recreational Boating Educational Conference and to bring a Marine Retail University track to the event in 2012,” says Courtney Chalmers, director of marketing for Dominion Marine Media, “MBIA’s members and dealers from across the state of Michigan will find great value in the customized educational program that the MRU offers.”

“The attendees of this event will walk away with an in-depth understanding of what’s making their market tick and how they can capitalize on it,” says Matt Gruhn, president of the MRAA. “We’re extremely excited to be able to partner with MBIA to create such opportunity for its members because the data and information the MRU provides will set them up for great success as they begin selling their 2013 product lines.”

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.

STO: MRAA executive administrator retires

Marge Eckenroad, executive administrator with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, is retiring after 36 years with the association. 

She began working with the MRAA in 1976 on a part-time basis and joined full time in 1989. She worked with the leadership of the association throughout her career, and alongside immediate past president Phil Keeter for his entire 23-year-tenure with the MRAA.

“MRAA is truly losing the most dedicated employee it has ever had,” Keeter said in a statement. “I could always count on Marge to ‘go the extra mile’ for the MRAA.”

Read more.

Marge Eckenroad to retire after 36 years with MRAA

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that, after 36 years of devoted service to the association and industry at large, Marge Eckenroad is retiring, effective April 30, 2012.

Eckenroad began working on a part-time basis for the MRAA in 1976 and accepted an offer to join the association full time in 1989. She worked side-by-side with the leadership of the association over her career, working directly with all four of the association’s executive directors/presidents. She worked alongside immediate past president Phil Keeter, as Executive Assistant, for his entire 23-year tenure with the association.

“MRAA is truly losing the most dedicated employee it has ever had,” says Keeter, who retired at the end of 2011. “I could always count on Marge to ‘go the extra mile’ for MRAA. No task was too big or small for her to undertake and complete. As I said at my retirement party, she has truly been the brains behind the association. Marge stored a huge amount of industry knowledge and insight in her position and helped MRAA prosper. She has more than earned her retirement and will surely be missed.”

When Keeter announced his retirement, it was Eckenroad’s dedication to the long-term success of the association that inspired her to want to stay on to assist the new president of the association with the transition into the role. And new MRAA president Matt Gruhn echoes Keeter’s praise.

“Marge has been a tremendous resource for the association and for me as I have moved into this new role,” Gruhn says. “Her unending commitment and dedication to serving the MRAA and its members is something we will work hard to emulate as she moves into retirement. We are indebted to her for dedicating her career to the MRAA.”

“Little did I realize, when I was first hired to manage the MRAA Dealer Congress in 1976, how interesting and long the journey would be,” says Eckenroad. “As I became more involved in MRAA, I did not consider it a job but it was something that I wanted to do. What I will miss most is the contact with all the great people in the marine industry that I have gotten to know over the years.”

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. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com.

BI: Complementary goals led to Marine Retail University

The latest educational conference for the marine industry, an ongoing series of regional events called Marine Retail University, came together when the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Dominion Marine Media realized they were both looking to offer dealers more opportunities to learn.

For 17 years, Dominion Marine Media has successfully hosted Yacht Brokerage University events, which as the name suggests are geared toward yacht brokers. Courtney Chalmers, marketing director at Dominion Marine Media, says that as the company’s mission has grown to include a greater focus on education, there has been a desire internally to create a similar event for dealers.

At the same time, the MRAA surveyed members and found that the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo (which is co-produced by Boating Industry) was rated the most important benefit the group provides. MRAA’s new president, Matt Gruhn, saw an opportunity to reach even more dealers if the organization could bring the education to them on a regional level. Read more.

Dominion Marine Media named Partner Member of MRAA


BOCA GRANDE, Fla. – Dominion Marine Media, a leading marine industry marketing services company, has renewed its support of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas as a Partner Member of the association.

Dominion Marine Media has been a strong partner of the MRAA for a number of years, and most recently strengthened its relationship by joining forces with the association to co-produce the forthcoming Marine Retail University event series. Dominion Marine Media also supports marine dealers and the association through its partnership with the annual Marine Dealer Conference & Expo.

“We are very grateful for the outstanding relationship we have with Dominion Marine Media,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Dominion’s mission and values are very closely connected with those of the MRAA, as they carry and demonstrate an intense interest in helping to further the success of today’s marine dealers.”

Dominion Marine Media demonstrates its support for the marine dealer body in a number of ways, above and beyond its involvement in the MRU and MDCE educational event programs. The company also offers web services, portal advertising and effective marketing solutions.

“Dominion Marine Media is dedicated to providing dealers the tools and resources to succeed in the ever-changing marine industry,” said Courtney Chalmers, director of marketing for Dominion Marine Media. “The MRAA is the clear partner in leading dealers to become the most sophisticated and most professional dealers in the market when it comes to sales, marketing and general management.”


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. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com.


About Dominion Marine Media
Dominion Marine Media is the recreational marine industry division of Dominion Enterprises – a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, marine, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, travel, and employment industries. Dominion Enterprises’ businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, website design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 60 market-leading websites reaching more than 20.9 million unique visitors monthly. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 3,300 employees in more than 186 offices nationwide.

Priority One named endorsed benefit provider of MRAA

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that it has partnered with Priority One Financial Services to create a new benefit for the MRAA Rewards Program. Priority One is the nation’s leading retail F&I outsource company for recreational dealers.

As the endorsed F&I outsourcing provider of the MRAA, Priority One will provide MRAA members with a host of opportunities. For MRAA members who partner with Priority One, $5 will be given for every customer loan that is facilitated by Priority One. These BonusBucks will be paid out on a quarterly basis.

“We have been a part of the marine industry for 25 years and, like the MRAA, are committed to seeing it grow and thrive,” says Heather Mariscal, president of Priority One. “By participating in the MRAA Rewards Program we hope to bring the benefits of our services to more marine dealers to help them move more units and earn more income.”

Above and beyond the financial rewards, Priority One will also provide MRAA members a number of other services, including free training webinars, related to F&I management best practices; a PCI compliance kit containing pertinent advice and forms necessary to remain compliant with federal regulations, as well as generic dealership operations forms to be downloadable from the forthcoming MRAA Resource Center.

“Priority One is not only an industry-leading provider of F&I services to marine retailers, but they also offer our members a wealth of knowledge and resources through which they can better manage their businesses,” says Matt Gruhn, president of the MRAA. “We’re excited to be able to offer MRAA members the full extent of Priority One’s capabilities.”

Read more about the Priority One benefit for MRAA members.

 

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. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com.

About Priority One Financial Services

Priority One has been serving the marine and RV industry since 1987. Acquired in 2007 by Forest River, Inc. a Berkshire Hathaway company, Priority One serves as the F&I managed services provider for hundreds of dealers nationwide. For more information, visit www.P1FS.com.

Bank of the West becomes MRAA Platinum Partner

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that Bank of the West, located in San Francisco, Calif., has joined the association as a Platinum Partner, the highest level of support for the MRAA.

With banking roots dating back more than 135 years, Bank of the West has been focused on expanding its marine market portfolio over the last few years. Currently serving marine dealers across the United States with both retail and floorplan lending, Bank of the West wanted to demonstrate its commitment to the marine market through its support of the MRAA.

“Bank of the West remains committed to serving all the same markets it was serving before the big recession,” says Mark Beecher, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing Manager, of Bank of the West. “The marine industry is now moving past a very rough patch in the business cycle.We continue to support our marine dealer base with retail finance programs from our National Indirect Lending Group as well as our Essex Credit subsidiary.Three years ago, in the depth of the recession, we started a Commercial Finance business, serving the commercial financing needs of the marine industry, as well as dealers in the auto and RV markets. Our long history of prudent underwriting enables us to support well-managed dealers with all their financing needs.We are definitely open for business and growing.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Bank of the West in support of marine retailers,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Mark and his group are already working with a number of our members, and it’s exciting to all of us that Bank of the West is demonstrating its commitment to the marine market and playing a significant role in helping the market continue to recover.”

 

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. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com.

MRAA: ‘Kill the Death Tax’

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is submitting letters to the U.S. Senate and has launched a marine retailer grass roots campaign to kill the Death Tax.

MRAA supports a forthcoming bill to be introduced by Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) to permanently repeal the Death Tax.

MRAA has long worked this issue and our efforts have been key in passage of several bills over the past 20 years that have increased the threshold and decreased the tax rate. However, those bills have now sunset and new efforts are needed to kill the Death Tax.

The Thune bill already has 20 co-sponsors. A companion bill (H.R. 1259) has also been introduced in the House by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) with 205 co-sponsors.

The Death Tax was originally passed by Congress in the 1890s to pay for the Spanish American War. The tax hurts the beneficiaries of small businesses and family farms who have to pay a high tax on inheritances when the assets were already built on income that had been taxed.