• DiscoverBoating.com’s February Content Engages New Boaters
In February, Discover Boating, powered by NMMA and MRAA, featured timely content that provides helpful tips and resources for new and existing boaters.
February content included spotlighting Black-owned businesses in the marine industry in celebration of Black History Month. In addition to this article, Discover Boating featured these individuals throughout the month on social media to further highlight their contributions to the industry. Also in February, Discover Boating spotlighted U.S. presidents who enjoy boating in honor of Presidents Day. These articles underscore the diverse appeal of boating.
With spring on the horizon, Discover Boating has been guiding readers on how to kickstart their preparations for the upcoming boating season. In “Spring Boating: 3 Ways to Prepare for Launch,” readers gleaned insights into readying their boats, upgrading safety gear, and strategizing for upcoming voyages. Stay tuned for more content geared towards equipping boaters for the adventures ahead.
New articles published to Discover Boating in February included:
All marine industry stakeholders are encouraged to share these articles with customers within their social posts, newsletters and other communication channels.
Learn more about Discover Boating and all the available tools and resources here.
MINNEAPOLIS, March 8 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces its participation in, and sponsorship of the Associations North She Moves: Where Business Meet Brilliance conference. The inaugural event for the community of women within Associations North, the association for associations in the Midwest, is dedicated to empowering, elevating and unleashing the potential within every woman.
Through an EmpowerHer sponsorship, the MRAA will provide all attendees the book “Wolfpack” by author Abby Wambach. Liz Keener, MRAA Director of Dealership Development, will present the book and the corresponding book club. Sarah Korbel, MRAA Events & Operations Manager, is one of three featured panelists in a Q&A session called: “Infinite Insights: Women Leading in Associations.” Many MRAA staff members will partake in the elevating conference, including Matt Gruhn, MRAA President, who is the Associations North Board Chair.
Sarah Korbel, MRAA Events & Operations Manager
“It’s essential to have recognition for the incredible amount of work women do in the association industry,” Korbel explains. “I look forward to celebrating with these women, learning from each other and supporting women-owned businesses. I look forward to discussing how we can support women from not only being the majority in numbers, but to leading from positions of power and leadership in the association world.”
Additional She Moves sessions include:
“Find Your Audacity, Taking up Space” featuring Tina VanSteenbergen, The Story Matters;
“The Inside-Out Approach to Authentic Leadership” featuring Tammy Krings, The Conversations That Matter;
“Speaking with Confidence” featuring Dana Weaver, Weaver Solutions LLC;
“Imposter Syndrome be Gone: Thriving Together in Leadership” with Weaver.
Associations North conducted a Member Pulse survey in 2023 that revealed that 74 percent of respondents identified as female. That figure inspired the creation of an event to unite this vibrant community of women professionals, helping them to excel in the dynamic world of associations, create change, break barriers and reach new heights of success. Regardless of gender or identification, She Moves encourages everyone to attend to build a thriving association network and to celebrate individual brilliance.
The transformative She Moves conference will be hosted from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the Minneapolis Marriott West in Minnesota. Visit the Associations North She Moves page to learn more.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
• Urges Administration to Consider Devastating Economic Impacts and Alternative Management Tools
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 6, 2024) – Today the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) expressed disappointment with the decision by the Department of Commerce to advance the North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) Vessel Strike Reduction Rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Proposed by NOAA, the rule would restrict small boats to 10 knots (roughly 11 mph) along much of the Eastern Seaboard as far up to 90 miles for up to seven months out of the year, which will significantly hurt U.S. coastal economies and the small businesses that make up the recreational boating industry.
This rule could put more than 810,000 American jobs and nearly $230 billion in economic contributions in jeopardy. More than 95 percent of boats sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S., and approximately 93 percent of boat manufacturers are small business owners. Many coastal economies are built on recreational boating, fishing trips, and the hospitality industry that require access to the ocean, and this rule would create ripple effects throughout these economies.
(Image supplied by NMMA)
“We are extremely disappointed and alarmed to see this economically catastrophic and deeply flawed rule proceed to these final stages,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “The proposed rule is based on incorrect assumptions and questionable data, and fails to distinguish between large, ocean-crossing vessels and small recreational boats, which could not be more different from each other. Most concerning, the proposed rule ignores the advanced marine technologies available now that can better protect the North Atlantic right whale and prevent vessel strikes. Bottom line, the rule’s many blind spots spell dire consequences for boater safety and accessibility, the economic vitality of coastal communities and marine manufacturers, and the livelihoods of countless supporting small businesses, all while undermining years of progress in marine conservation. We strongly urge the Administration to withdraw this rule and consider the technological solutions for which we have been advocating since 2022, which promise protections for the right whale, economy, and boaters.”
The movement of the draft rule to OMB represents the last step of the finalization of the rule.
“Recreational anglers and boaters are America’s original conservationists, and they understand the importance of protecting North Atlantic right whales, but NOAA’s proposal represents the most extreme federal regulation ever imposed on the angling community. We safely navigate around objects in the water every single day; whales are no different,” said Jeff Angers, President of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “This is government overreach of the worst kind: missing the mark on conservation while cutting off safe vessel access to the open ocean. One-size-fits-all spatial closures will not save right whales. We have the technology today to safely coexist, and the federal government knows it. NOAA needs to start acting in good faith and follow us.”
“The MRAA is dismayed to learn that this flawed rule is proceeding to the final stages. The rule will have a devastating economic impact on marine retailers and other small boating businesses throughout the entirety of the East Coast,” said Matt Gruhn, President of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “The MRAA joins the recreational boating and fishing industries in urging the Administration to withdraw the rule and work with industry to consider viable technology-based alternatives that will protect the North Atlantic Right Whale without compromising safety and accessibility or the livelihoods marine retailers and related small businesses.”
In February, the recreational boating industry hosted NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show to educate her and her colleagues on the technological advancements that exist to detect marine mammals and prevent boat strikes: https://www.nmma.org/press/article/24622
In November, members of Congress and staff heard from representatives of the boating and fishing community about the devastating economic impacts the proposed rule will have: https://www.nmma.org/press/article/24521
NMMA President and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer testified last June at an oversight hearing held by the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries on the vessel speed restriction, saying, “Marine mammal protection, economic prosperity and access to our cherished waters can coexist. It’s a false choice to make Americans choose one over the other. Innovative technologies, real-time tracking and monitoring tools offer a more viable solution to protect all whales while allowing for continued recreational marine-related economic contributions along the East Coast. Link to his testimony: https://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/testimony_hugelmeyer.pdf
NMMA will continue to educate government officials on the economically damaging implications of the rule and will champion the marine technologies available to detect and protect against vessel strikes as an alternative to the burdensome regulation.
If you have any questions for the MRAA Advocacy Team, please reach out to Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, at Chad@mraa.com or Mike Sayre, Director of Government Relations at Sayre@mraa.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MARCH 6 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) is proud to be a founding sponsor of the Soundings Trade Only AIM Women in the Industry event series, including the upcoming International Women’s Day Event: Avoiding Burnout.
Open to all genders, the virtual event is 9-10 a.m. EST on Friday, March 8. Featured speaker Melina Cordero is the Founder and President of P20, an advisory firm on a mission to help organizations and their leaders navigate the challenges and opportunities of the post-2020 world.
“The Women in the Industry event series has been a great addition to this industry, and MRAA has enjoyed being a part of it and watching it grow,” said Liz Keener, MRAA’s Director of Dealer Development and a member of Sounding’s Trade Only’s Women in the Industry Council. “This next session is on a timely topic that anyone can relate to, and we encourage all industry leaders to attend and forward the invite to team members who could benefit from learning how to avoid burnout.”
Through sharing her experiences and expertise, Cordero will offer actionable tips for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, setting boundaries and cultivating resilience. The focused event will also reveal insights and delve into practical strategies to recognize burnout signals, understand its causes and equip attendees with the tools to manage it successfully. Additional event sponsors include Volvo Penta, West Marine, MarineMax, Sea-Tow, Correct Craft, Luxury Financial Group and Brunswick.
Click here to register for the Sounding Trade Only Women in the Industry Series International Women’s Day Event: Avoiding Burnout.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the action of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” – the Dalai Llama
For me, the iconic and cultural image of Rosie the Riveter surfaces when thinking about strong, courageous women. While World War II was before my time, I remember first learning about Rosie in school. I could have used a genuine female leader or business role model here, but I chose Rosie because she represents the 19 million American women in the workforce and the 350,000 who served in the military during the war, providing for their country.* In factories, shipyards and elsewhere, women stepped up, led and accomplished great things for a nation in need.
Rosie is also memorable to me because she reminds me of my mother. My mom led our family through challenges and endured while doing what mothers do best – show unconditional love for their children. She also managed a hectic life in the 1970s, raising three children while juggling three jobs at a gas station, bank and local restaurant. When I see Rosie’s “We can do it!” speech bubble, I hear my mother and think of the many other prominent women leaders with whom I’ve interacted. Those four words are much more than a slogan, they speak the truth.
To this day, I am surrounded by resilient women, from my wife to my pastor’s wife to all my female co-workers. They lead by example and display absolute determination that impressively blends with the fruits of the spirit and significant other characteristics that influence their awareness, maturity and management in their personal and business lives.
My teammates help us execute our mission, vision and core values every single day. Through extraordinary effort, the MRAA’s women leaders make achieving excellence possible. They boldly roll up their sleeves and face challenges as individuals and as a united team. Their commitment and discipline are awe-inspiring.
March is Women’s History Month, so we will honor our 14 female leaders by introducing them to you. Their contributions and guidance have helped to make the MRAA what it is today and what it will be in the future. Each of my colleagues plays a vital role in strengthening the MRAA and carrying out our vision to produce a thriving marine industry driven by dealer success.
Across the world and within the marine industry we serve, our team sees incredible women amplify their roles to lead, make an impact and create change. Along with getting to call them co-workers and friends, I call them wave makers for the ripples they create within boating. I’m also honored to learn from them and gain inspiration daily to succeed in my role here.
Honoring Women in the Marine Industry The MRAA supports professional women, our staff and others by supporting significant initiatives. We’re sponsoring and sending a dozen or more people to an Associations North “She Moves: Where Business Meets Brilliance” event here on Tuesday, March 12 in Minneapolis. The unifying event elevates, excels and empowers women.
The MRAA also sponsors Soundings Trade Only’sAIM Women in the Industry events, including the “International Women’s Day Event: Avoiding Burnout” on Friday, March 8, featuring speaker Melina Cordero, P20 Founder and President. We also sponsored the valuable 2024 Women in the Industry Miami Event, featuring Kim Sweers, “The Boat Boss,” Owner of FB Marine Group; Brenna Preisser, EVP and President Brunswick Acceleration, Chief Strategy Officer, Brunswick Corporation; and Ellen Bradley, Chief Brand Officer and SVP Marketing and Communications, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).
Along with other respected companies in MarineMax, Volvo Penta and the NMMA, we are supporting the groundbreaking Soundings Trade Only Women in the Marine Industry Study 2024 to help empower women. This will be a first for our industry and the study of women marine professionals, focusing on three areas: attracting, retaining and developing female talent.
Finally, the MRAA Educational Foundation and Boating Industry magazine annually present the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award to an outstanding woman actively involved in the boating industry, recognizing dedicated service, persistent commitment and the advancement of women in the marine business. This past year’s recipient was Michele Goldsmith, Vice President and General Manager of the Soundings Trade Only group.
It’s rewarding to intermingle with so many female leaders in the marine industry, and an honor be associated with such a distinct group of influential women here at the MRAA. I sincerely appreciate and wholeheartedly celebrate each of my colleagues during Women’s History Month (and beyond)!
Imagine for a moment one single, perfect summer day. Some people may picture themselves in a hammock on a gorgeous white sand-covered beach listening to the waves roll in. Others imagine a chair in the shade with a cool drink and a new book. Still others imagine their whole family at the baseball stadium watching a game and singing together “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” or “Sweet Caroline.”
But boat owners picture a perfect summer day being spent on the water doing everything boating. Imagine that one day. Water, wind, waves, cool drinks, a swim, some tubing, going to dinner by boat and watching the sunset while sitting on the swim platform with a glass of wine. There are only so many of those perfect summer days.
What is missing in this perfect summer day? THE BOAT!
It looks like a nice summer day in my picture. Yet for many boaters it is not the perfect summer day because there is no boat included. You may be asking, “why is the boat missing?” That is the same question many service customers ask when their boat is stuck in a Repair Event Cycle Time (RECT) cycle at the dealership.
How many perfect summer days can a customer miss out on (there aren’t that many to begin with) while the service department fixes their boat before their frustration builds to a problematic level? Perhaps the No.1 way to improve your service customer’s experience is to lower your RECT and get the boat back in the picture.
So, how do you get the boat back to the customer before their frustration sets in?
Are you measuring RECT?
What are you doing to shorten your RECT?
First, making the decision to measure your Repair Event Cycle Times is an enormous step forward for your service department and your dealership’s success. It will give you specific targets to aim for. The measure will give you specific ways to gauge your progress. Most importantly, it will give you insights to help guide your decision-making on how to improve the cycle times and how to get the boat back into the eagerly waiting hands of your customer more quickly. The act of measuring that key performance indicator (KPI) will create an awareness that, if acted upon, will improve your customer experience.
Second, once you have made the decision to measure RECT, and you are fully aware of how many of those beautiful summer days your average customer is missing out on, it becomes time to act. Remember, you want to put the boat back into that picture of a beautiful summer day as soon as possible for all of your customers.
Here are a few potential steps you can take to improve your RECT.
Focus on your tech efficiency
Do they have the right tools for the job?
Do they have the parts they need in a timely manner?
Are there delays in getting a boat moved into or out of the shop that decrease efficiency?
Examine your management efficiency
Are jobs scheduled to enhance technician efficiency?
Are jobs assigned to the tech who can best and efficiently complete them?
Are communications to and from the service desk and parts department working with the technicians?
Implement a “Triage policy”
When a boat is dropped off, ensure that it is inspected within 24-48 hours for diagnosis.
Order parts, if necessary, immediately upon diagnosis. Don’t force a customer to wait a week for a diagnosis and then another week for parts to arrive before work even begins.
Ensure the diagnosis is communicated clearly from the technician and properly shared with the customer.
Create brand or condition limitations
Are there boats older than your technician’s education? If so, don’t accept them, you probably will lengthen your RECT and disappoint that customer.
Are there boats in a certain condition (for example, saltwater corrosion) that will lead to delays in what would otherwise be a “normal” repair?
Are there brands that your technicians are not trained in or that you lack the equipment to work on?
Consider resources for your employees to help efficiency, proficiency and RECT
Consider individual technician incentive pay to support efficient and proficient work.
Written and shared job descriptions clarify what individuals need to accomplish and lead to improved efficiency.
Review and refine your service process map to influence success throughout your service department.
Those are just a few of the steps to take that can help reduce your dealership’s Repair Event Cycle Times.
There are several other MRAA educational service resources that will help you provide for your service customers a picture-perfect summer day that includes their boat. Help restore the boat in their dreamy picture sooner with some of these links:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2024 – On Feb. 15, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finalized its Government and Business Impersonation Rule, which gives the agency more tools to combat scammers who impersonate businesses or government agencies. The MRAA, National Marine Manufacturers Association, and the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association submitted a comment to the FTC on Dec. 16, 2022, supporting the rule and outlining instances of this fraud in the marine and recreational vehicle space. Click here to read the letter.
“The MRAA lauds the FTC for promulgation of this final rule and for increasing protections for MRAA members and others in the marine industry who may be impacted by instances of fraud,” said Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager. “We are hopeful that this will stunt efforts of fraud and impersonation as offenders now run the risk of facing legal action.”
Unfortunately, these types of scams are only getting more popular and have impacted members of the recreational marine industry; however, the newly finalized regulations provide an opportunity for retribution. For example, the rule would enable the FTC to directly seek monetary relief in federal court from scammers that:
Use government seals or business logos when communicating with consumers by mail or online.
Spoof government and business emails and web addresses, including spoofing “.gov” email addresses or using lookalike email addresses or websites that rely on misspellings of a company’s name.
Falsely imply government or business affiliation by using terms that are known to be affiliated with a government agency or business (e.g., stating “I’m calling from the Clerk’s Office” to falsely imply affiliation with a court of law).
“This new rule helps protect both boating advocates and the uniquely American recreational boating industry, which is primarily made up of small businesses,” said Callie Hoyt, NMMA vice president of government relations. “The recreational boating industry generates more than $230 billion in economic activity each year, and those seeking to fraud consumers and manufacturers should be held accountable. We’re pleased to see this rule finalized.”
The final rule on government and business impersonation will become effective 30 days from the date it is published in the Federal Register. If you are interested in learning more, the full rule can be viewed here.
“The national RV Dealers Association (RVDA) has documented hundreds of attempts to scam our members through phony offers to purchase unauthorized mailing lists or hotel accommodations at association events,” said RVDA President Phil Ingrassia. “This new rule will provide much needed penalties for scammers impersonating legitimate businesses, trade groups, and government entities.”
If you have any questions about the final rule or if your business has been subjected to fraud and impersonation, please reach out to Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, at Chad@mraa.com.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces the addition of Comparion Insurance Agency as a new Partner Member.
Marine manufacturers, suppliers and service providers, through Partner Membership, commit to aligning their brands with the programs and opportunities that MRAA offers in its efforts to fuel the success of the marine industry. Support from Partners allows the Association to expand its offerings and create a positive, long-term impact on MRAA members’ business.
Comparion Insurance Agency, headquartered in Boston, Mass., is a Liberty Mutual company that delivers first-rate customer experience through consultative insurance experts located in your community.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the team at Comparion for their collaboration and shared commitment to our goals,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA Vice President of Business Development. “I am confident that our partnership will elevate our respective organizations within the marine industry.”
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
• Great Dealership to Work For Spotlight: How a Certified Dealership in Regal & Nautique of Orlando is Making Quite a Wake in the Florida Boating Scene
Winning is often viewed as the definition of success by many. From sports to business, where you find winners, you regularly find strong leadership, purpose-driven tactics and people who understand that learning is also part of winning. But winning can also mean achieving great success on a personal and professional level, even if void of an authentic head-to-head competition.
Regal & Nautique of Orlando’s all-new, world-class Nautique Sales Showroom and Service Center officially launched on Saturday, Feb. 10 in Orlando, Fla.
American author, speaker and pastor John C. Maxwell explains one aspect of winning in his famous quote: “Wanting to win isn’t enough. You have to go through the process to improve. That takes patience, perseverance, and intentionality.”
Many of you have a winning mindset, can do great things and have had great wins in life and business. Jeff Husby, the outstanding Owner and GM at Regal & Nautique of Orlando, is one such dealer who has won consistently. He possess the desire to win and the discipline for supreme effort. His achievements have included making solid and successful business decisions to put RNO in a triumphant position in the marketplace and make a lasting impact in the recreational boating industry.
Here are just a few of Husby’s/RNO’s outstanding recent accomplishments:
Water Sports Industry Association’s 2023 International Marine Dealer of the Year (a two-time winner in this category).
2023 Sea Tow Foundation’s National Boating Industry Safety Award – Top Marine Retailer category.
Top CSI honors for sales and customer service including recognition from the National Marine Manufacturers Association for each of the brands it represents.
Recognition from Nautique for top sales and service.
PCM Engines Overall Dealer Excellence Award.
Orlando Style magazine names Jeff Husby as one of its “Men & Women of the Year” in Central Florida for 2023.
Husby hasn’t just rested on his successes, though. He has strived for more by proactively refining his business and reinvesting in his workforce and the boating community he serves. Regal & Nautique of Orlando has taken two extensive strides in February to expand its boating footprint, brand and compassion for its customers.
Nautique President Greg Meloon (right) presented Husby with the 2024 Visionary Dealer Leadership Award during the opening ceremonies, which included a crowd of 500 customers, industry leaders and staff.
The first was opening its all-new Nautique Sales Showroom and Service Center in downtown Orlando, Fla. Nearly 500 customers and industry stakeholders attended the grand opening. That’s also where Husby received more recognition, as Nautique President Greg Meloon presented him with the 2024 Visionary Dealer Leadership Award.
The new 19,036-square-foot Nautique showroom took more than 5 years to bring to fruition. The innovative, purpose-built sales and service facility puts customer experience at the forefront. Husby ensured every store component delivered the ultimate customer experience expected from a world-class establishment.
“We researched, studied and visited dozens of top marine and automotive sales-and-service showrooms regionally and throughout the country,” said Husby in an RNO release. “We have incorporated a winning series of intelligent designs, many of which are unique and set a new benchmark for our industry.”
The Nautique location also considered employee comfort and elevated customer experiences in service and parts as critical components of the new store. It features:
Easily accessible Service Department for customers features a large circular drop-off area completely under-roof, with an adjacent service window.
The 5000-square-foot service facility includes three interior and three exterior service bays, plus two inside and two exterior service bays for boat prep.
The climate-controlled service facility includes a dedicated resource area housing an overhead bridge crane, computer and document storage, shop supplies, custom tech toolboxes, plus private tech restrooms and a wash area.
The new facility also features eight private offices, an employee kitchen/lunchroom, separate customer and employee restroom facilities.
All interior doors include biometric digital security locks and facial recognition security cameras.
A fully secured Parts complex features an automatic roll-up door that opens to the retail showroom, improving customer access.
Second, Husby continued along the leadership and modernism pathway by lifting the veil off Wake United, a cutting-edge, professional pro shop dedicated to serving the global water sports community. Meeting its customers where they are and with determined customer service, Wake Uniteddelivers a seamless blend of virtual online and brick-and-mortar shopping convenience with extraordinary customized sales support to build trust, loyalty and enriching encounters.
Regal & Nautique of Orlando recently opened Wake United, a cutting-edge, professional pro shop exclusively dedicated to serving the global water sports community.
“We believe that the pro shop sector is a critical component of the customer journey in boating and water sports,” said Husby in the release. “The pro shop is a vital element in the over-arching eco-system, providing products that excite customers and allow them to continue to progress in their water sports experience and better enjoy their time on the water. Our goal is to deliver the top brands in the industry and to provide exceptional service to our customers by leveraging the vast knowledge and passion of our team of highly experienced water sports professionals.”
Regal & Nautique of Orlando, an MRAA Certified Dealership and Gold Member, is dedicated to continuous improvement. Husby has taken RNO and the brand to new heights, helped foster a culture of accountability and trust, invested in employee development and committed to improving customer experience at every touchpoint. Along with his team, Husby and RNO, are making a royal effort to create a lasting legacy in Florida that rewards the marine industry and keeps customers boating for generations.
As accolades continue to roll in, Husby continues to put in the hard work necessary to keep winning. His team annually attends MRAA’s Dealer Week Conference & Expo. Through MRAA’s Dealership Certification and Continuous Certification, RNO continues to work on the fundamentals and seeks improvement every year. As MRAA Members, RNO staff gains access to world-class education and a library of continuous education to encourage growth and adaptability.
Not only has Husby’s commitment to excellence produced amazing recognition for him and his team, but also confident decision-making and resiliency have helped RNO stand out from the masses and withstand economic challenges.
MRAA Lead Certification Consultant Bob McCann reinforced this level of hardiness in a blog that included these words: “Dealer Certification is entirely focused on the customer experience – before, during and after the sale … the results are not only better customer experience, but also a more efficient, effective and profitable dealership with staying power. Case in point? If you were the average dealer heading into the Great Recession, you had about a 65 percent chance of survival. But if you were a Certified Dealer, you had greater than a 91 percent chance to make it through. Certification makes that much of a difference.”
Need help taking your dealership to the next level? Explore these five things today:
During the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show Industry Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 15, NMMA President, Frank Hugelmeyer’s state of the industry address included a sneak peek of the growing list of real boaters sharing their real stories of life on the water as part of the industry’s Discover Boating “See You Out Here” campaign.
Gary Sheffield hit 509 career home runs in the MLB with eight different teams during his 22-year career.
One of these boaters is nine-time Major League Baseball all-star, Gary Sheffield. Having played for eight teams in his career from 1988 to 2009, including the Miami Marlins, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, Sheffield has a passion for boating that’s played an important part of his life.
Sheffield joined Hugelmeyer on stage, sharing words of thanks to the manufacturers and industry executives who make boating possible and help create memories for him, his family and friends. Research shows boaters are more likely to be aspirational than most. With this in mind, Sheffield’s inspirational story will help ignite more people to experience boating. Sheffield is one of a handful of real boater stories being added to the 2024 Discover Boating campaign this spring.
Discover Boating, powered by the NMMA and MRAA, will share these stories across paid digital, streaming, social media, events and PR.
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