Mark Curry Recognized for Commitment to Boating Safety

• Just 4 Fun Powersports President Receives Dealer Ambassador Award

TAMPA, FLORIDA – Dec. 6, 2023 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas presented the annual MRAA Dealer Ambassador Award to Mark Curry, President, Just 4 Fun Powersports of Arizona, at the Dealer Week Conference and Expo in Tampa, Fla.

Curry worked with the MRAA and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to guide Arizona State Representative Leo Biasucci on a boat tour of Lake Havasu and set up a networking reception at the London Bridge resort with stakeholders from the Lake Havasu Community to discuss recreational boating safety in the Grand Canyon State.

3 men on stage at awards presentation
(From left) MRAA Director of Government Relations, Mike Sayre, Mark Curry, President Just 4 Fun Powersports and Chad Tokowicz MRAA Government Relations Manager spoke about the importance of advocacy and boating safety at Dealer Week 2023 in Tampa, Fla.

“Mark is dedicated to improving the safety of recreational boaters throughout Arizona and I greatly appreciate his efforts to share these concerns and potential solutions with Representative Biasucci and others in the Lake Havasu Boating Community,” says Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager. “I continue to see more dealers wanting to participate in advocacy. I hope that this trend continues, as our work at the MRAA becomes extensively more powerful and influential when dealers add their voice to our advocacy efforts.”

This annual award recognizes an MRAA Member who displays an outstanding commitment to advocating on behalf of the recreational boating industry and actively works to better recreational boating in their community. The MRAA Dealer Ambassador Award helps to highlight dealers who go above and beyond in their advocacy engagements and inspire the next generation of marine retailers to support boating activism.

“I know that all Dealers share our focus on Boating Safety,” said Curry. “We should look for an opportunity to engage local and state elected officials and invite them to experience what boating offers and discuss ways of making boating safer through education. Boating safety can be an additional step to any Dealership’s selling system and provide benefits to your customers from reduced insurance premiums to a safer more enjoyable time on the water.”

The recreational boating industry has no shortage of issues to fend off, from Right to Repair and Illegal Tampering threats; to the FTC Auto Rule that would significantly change the way dealerships market and sell boats; and to NOAA’s Proposed Right Whale Speed Rule, which threatens the most comprehensive boating access restrictions in history. There has never been a more critical time for dealers to be involved in advocacy efforts. 

To get involved with advocacy in your local community or at a national level, email Chad Tokowicz or Mike Sayre. There are numerous opportunities to engage, so please consider signing up to be an MRAA Dealer Ambassador and filling out a prior approval form for the BoatPAC.

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.

Jennifer Haning Named 2023 Kevin Lodder Scholarship Recipient

TAMPA, FL, December 6, 2023 — The MRAA Educational Foundation announced today that Jennifer Haning, Business Office Manager at Oak Hill Marina in Arnolds Park, Iowa, has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Kevin Lodder Scholarship. The scholarship recipient was honored today at the MRAA Educational Foundation’s awards luncheon at Dealer Week, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas annual conference and expo.

people on stage at awards ceremony
Jennifer Haning (center), Business Office Manager at Oak Hill Marina in Arnolds Park, Iowa, received the 2023 MRAA Educational Foundation Kevin Lodder Scholarship by Jim Coburn and Matt Lodder.

This scholarship celebrates the memory of Kevin Lodder of Lodder’s Marine in Fairfield, Ohio. Kevin worked in his family’s dealership and was dedicated to the marine industry from an early age until his untimely passing. The recipient of this scholarship receives tuition to attend the Spader Total Management 1 Workshop in Sioux Falls, S.D., and a stipend to offset travel expenses.

A relative newcomer to the marine industry, Haning has contributed to the success of Oak Hill Marina in numerous ways. In her business manager role, she maintains responsibility for human resources, payroll and support of multiple departments, and she has participated in a variety of initiatives to restructure job roles, create new employee pay and incentive plans, and assist with annual budgets and annual inventory.

“My position consists of multiple duties that will be utilized depending on what is needed for that day. Somedays, I can be found in my office working on payroll or collecting data for our daily dollar spreadsheet report, while others I could be checking in retail products and displaying them on the showroom floor,” she wrote in her application. “I thoroughly enjoy my job and the roller coaster ride that comes with it, but learning all aspects of the marine industry and job positions takes time and continuous training.”

The Spader Total Management 1 Workshop is a five-day program in Sioux Falls, S.D., geared toward decision makers, leaders, and key employees. Topics covered include decision-making processes, business adaptability, pricing practices, inter-department profit plans, and communication skills. 

“Anyone who has spent much time in the boating business knows it takes real persistence and passion for your work to find success,” says Matt Lodder who serves on the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors after a number of years of owning and operating the family dealership. “Those qualities make Jennifer an ideal candidate for the Kevin Lodder Scholarship. By applying that persistence and passion to what she learns during the Total Management 1 Workshop, she will turn this investment of our Foundation’s funds into real results for her, Oak Hill Marina, and the industry.”

About the MRAA Educational Foundation
As part of its mission to create a strong and healthy boating industry, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is committed to offering training, education and professional development opportunities to its members and the entire marine dealer community. In 2004, the association launched the MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine trades. For more information or to donate to support the foundation’s mission, visit https://www.marineedfoundation.org/.

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.

Zachary Meyer Named Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship Recipient

TAMPA, FL, December 6, 2023 — The MRAA Educational Foundation announced today that Zachary Meyer, General Manager of Mark’s Leisure Time Marine in Canandaigua, N.Y., has been selected as the recipient of the Foundation’s 2023 Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship. This year’s scholarship recipient was unveiled at the Foundation’s awards luncheon as part of Dealer Week, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas annual conference and expo. 

People on stage presenting award
(From left) Jim Coburn and Mark Spader present Zach Meyer (center) with the 2023 Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship at Dealer Week 2023.

The Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship was founded by Spader Business Management and the MRAA Educational Foundation in 2013 to honor the marine industry service of Spader founder Duane Spader, as well as his leadership philosophy of lifelong learning. The recipient receives full tuition to attend the Spader Leadership Development Program, valued at $14,875. Applicants must be employees of a Marine Retailers Association of the Americas retail member.

As a young and up-and-coming second-generation owner, Meyer has taken the reigns of the general manager position with great vision. He helped return the dealership to profitability soon after his appointment, and the business has been growing under his leadership.

Still, Meyer recognizes opportunity for growth and improvement – both in the dealership and in his own leadership style.

“I have struggled to implement process ever since my beginnings, and I know with some help, the company could achieve greatness,” he wrote in his scholarship application. “We have ambitious goals I wish to achieve, and I wake up looking forward to those every day. And while I feel like I’m a decent leader, and take pride in that, I know that with some help, I could become an excellent leader. I believe the Spader Leadership Development Program’s content will benefit me for years to come.” 

The Spader Leadership Development Program is a 15- to 18-month program for current and future leaders that involves five, three-day sessions in Sioux Falls, S.D. Between sessions, participants are tasked with putting what they’ve learned to work in their dealership and tracking the results of those efforts.

“We are excited to award this scholarship to someone who has already contributed so much to the marine dealer community,” states Jeff Siems, Chairman of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “Given his dedication to his dealership and passion to see it grow, we are confident that Zachary will be able to leverage the scholarship to advance his family dealership to the next level.”

About MRAA Educational Foundation
As part of its mission to create a strong and healthy boating industry, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is committed to offering training, education and professional development opportunities to its members and the entire marine dealer community. In 2004, the association launched the MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine trades. For more information or to donate to support the foundation’s mission, visit https://www.marineedfoundation.org/.

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.

MRAA Educational Foundation names Michele Goldsmith the 2023 Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 6, 2023 — Michele Goldsmith, Vice President and General Manager of the Soundings Trade Only group, has been named the 2023 Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation. The award was presented to Goldsmith, the 37th recipient, as part of the Dealer Week Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Dealer Week in Tampa, Fla.

(Left to right) Leslie Palmer and Taylor Briggs, granddaughter of Darlene Briggs, presented Michele Goldsmith (center) with the 2023 Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Award at Dealer Week in Tampa.

Goldsmith started her marine industry journey in the summer of 1991, working alongside her father at Todd Enterprises, eventually assuming the role of leading sales and marketing, helping the company flourish and expand. She joined Charles Industries in 2000, as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the marine division and earned an American Boat & Yacht Council electrical certification.

After successful stints in sales, marketing and product development leadership roles for marine industry component companies Paneltronics, Mastervolt, Power Products, and Lippert, Goldsmith joined Active Interest Media (AIM) in 2018 as the publisher of Soundings Trade Only. In 2023, she was named Vice President and General Manager, responsible for developing and providing tools to the marine industry to enhance their marketing and business growth.

Five years ago, Goldsmith spearheaded the Most Innovative Marine Company Awards to recognize companies that contribute significantly to the industry’s progress through initiatives such as product innovation, workforce development, sustainability and philanthropy. Among the many industry events she creates and manages are the quarterly Women in the Industry series for female boating professionals. In 2021, she hired Balaji Krishnamurthy, Chairman of Think Shift, to lead a workshop on servant leadership within the industry. Starting in 2022 she took Women in the Industry series global, partnering with British Marine, Marine Industry News and METSTRADE to create an annual in-person panel event at the METSTRADE show in Amsterdam. 

“My enduring motivation lies in serving the industry, contributing to its growth and facilitating opportunities for the next generation of leaders, particularly women,” said Goldsmith. “I am committed to creating empowering spaces for them to connect, network, learn and build a supportive community.”

Two years ago, Goldsmith established a 1+1 mentoring program to connect new industry professionals with industry leaders through 30-minute virtual conversations. To date, the program has hosted nearly 200 1+1 sessions, with the next edition scheduled for June 2024. And survey data indicates that about 90 percent of mentors/mentees have remained in contact with each other.

Michele has served on or chaired numerous boards and associations and has accrued more than

15 years on the National Marine Manufacturers Association Board of Directors and was one of the first women named chair of the Marine Accessories & Components Division board of directors for NMMA. She was also the first woman on the ABYC technical board of directors, serving two consecutive 5-year terms.

“Michele has been a groundbreaker and a change agent since she first entered the industry,” stated William Sisson of Soundings Trade Only in a letter of recommendation. “After 32 years, her series of Women in the Industry events may well be her tour de force. In the last two years, Michele has developed and hosted 11 Women in the Industry events. She hosted the first large-scale, in-person leadership event for women at IBEX this year, creating the first all-female industry leadership panel and had more than 150 attendees. Michele thrives on forming new connections between individuals and associations, helping to unify our marine ecosystem and works tirelessly to make the marine industry stronger, more diverse and welcoming.”

Goldsmith, a former competitive athlete, has an inner drive to always be the best which fuels her motivation to seek personal excellence and a sense of purpose. In April, she accomplished a nine-day trek through the Himalayas to reach Mount Everest Base Camp. “While I continue to strive for excellence in achieving corporate milestones and fostering robust growth, what truly ignites my enthusiasm is pioneering uncharted territory and presenting the industry with groundbreaking initiatives,” she added. “A prime example is an upcoming 2024 research study, the first of its kind, focusing on women working in the marine industry — dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing female talent.”

Named after the late Darlene Briggs of Wayzata, Minn., who was admired for her tireless dedication to elevating women and the marine industry. Jointly, the MRAA and Boating Industry magazine present the award to honor her memory. The annual award recognizes an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the boating industry, recognizing dedicated service, persistent commitment and the advancement of women in the marine business. Darlene’s granddaughter, Taylor Briggs, leads the MRAA Educational Foundation’s selection committee for the award, and helped present the award.

“This award is so important to our family because it continues the legacy of my grandma, Darlene Briggs,” Taylor said. “She was truly an inspiring woman who would be so proud of the hard work that Michele has done to mentor and support other women in the marine industry.”

About MRAA Educational Foundation
A nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, the MRAA Educational Foundation has awarded more than 85 scholarships and awards collectively worth more than $194,000 over the past 18 years.  Donations from independent donors and corporate partners make all scholarships provided by the MRAA Educational Foundation possible. To learn more about donating, or to find more information about the MRAA Educational Foundation, visit www.marineedfoundation.org.

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.

Lightspeed Announces Marine Dealer RECT Excellence Award Winners

• Award recipients honored for timely and exemplary customer service during MRAA Dealer Week Conference and Expo.

TAMPA, FLA.  – December 5, 2023 – Lightspeed, a leader in dealer management solutions for the marine industry, announced its Marine Dealership RECT (Repair Event Cycle Time) Excellence Award winners during the Marine Retailers Association’s (MRAA) 2023 Dealer Week Conference and Expo. Repair event cycle time is defined, most simply, as the amount of time it takes to repair a service issue and get customers back on the water. Lightspeed’s second annual RECT Marine Excellence awards brought recognition to five exceptional marine dealerships across the country for their improvements and accomplishments in 2023.

Graphic of congrats to award winnders

The 2023 RECT awards celebrated the efforts and achievements of the five marine dealerships that have made significant strides in reducing job times and improving/enhancing customer service throughout the year. These dealerships span locations across the US and represent a wide range of dealership size and marine expertise.

“This year’s recipients were chosen based on year-over-year improvement in reducing RECT time, which is vital for dealerships, and remains one of the biggest differentiators for dealership success in the marine industry,” said Kris Denos, VP of Lightspeed.

The Lightspeed 2023 Marine RECT Excellence Award winners are:

  • Tom George Yacht Group – Dunedin, Fla. (MRAA Silver Member)
  • Wards Boat Shop – Center Ossipee, N.H.
  • 61 Marine & Sports – Hastings, Minn. (MRAA Bronze Member)
  • 3 Rivers Marine – Woodinville, Wash.
  • Proshop Motorsports and Marine – Henderson, Nev.
marine professionals from boat dealership holding RECT award
The team from 61 Marine & Sports (Hastings, Minn.) accepts their Lightspeed 2023 Marine RECT Excellence Award from Lightspeed team members Rob Grant (far left) and Kris Denos (far right).

Managing RECT helps dealers spot dealerships’ service shortcomings and focus on making improvements. Additional benefits of understanding RECT include reducing employee burnout and delivering a better customer experience.

“At Lightspeed, we understand how a dealer’s service department is the key to providing customers with a top-notch experience,” said Denos. “Our award-winning dealers have made significant efforts over this past year to reduce RECT, effectively reducing the total turnaround time that it takes to get their customers’ boats in and out during a service appointment. These recognized Lightspeed dealerships have created progressive processes that create a better experience for their employees and their customers.”

Lightspeed, an MRAA Strategic Partner, offers ongoing product innovations to help dealers service units more efficiently, getting marine customers out on the water faster. To learn more about Lightspeed, visit www.lightspeeddms.com/.

MRAA Promotes 3 to Support Strategic Growth in 2024

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 1, 2023 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces that Liz Keener, Stevie Cook and Sherri Cuvala have been promoted for exemplary work helping the MRAA and dealers find greater success. The promotions reflect their hard work and dedication and allow MRAA to pursue its strategic goals to provide increasingly robust support for retailers. In support of that vision, Mike Davin will also take on the role of Vice President of Industry Relations.

“Liz, Sherri and Stevie have displayed tremendous leadership and drive in helping the MRAA deliver on its mission to fuel dealer success, and possess commendable mindsets for professional growth,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “They are pillars of strength within this industry and for the association, helping us to foster enduring relationships with manufacturers, partners and dealers and reach impressive new levels of achievement in Membership and Certification.”

Liz Keener, MRAA
Liz Keener

Liz Keener – Director of Dealer Development
Keener, an innovator and determined leader within the MRAA has led and expanded MRAA’s Dealership Certification Program. She has also facilitated relationship growth and connectivity with leading manufacturers to include MRAA in their important dealer meetings with the dealer body. Her distinguished efforts and collaborative efforts with MRAA leadership and marketing have led to a record-setting dealership connection.

In 2023 alone, Keener played a significant role in creating opportunities for the MRAA that included 11 in-person dealer meetings, two virtual dealer meeting, four recorded sessions, customized OEM websites and dozens of live presentations. While advocating for the Association and dealers alike, Keener’s leadership help generate more than 150 leads and thousands in sales for Membership.

As Director of Dealer Development Keener, who also joins the MRAA Leadership Team, is responsible for working alongside MRAA partner members, primarily boat and engine manufacturers, to develop membership, education, advocacy and Certification plans for their dealer networks, with the goal of increasing engagement in all MRAA products. Keener has been with the MRAA for five years.

Sherri Cuvala
Sherri Cuvala

Sherri Cuvala – Director of Membership
Since joining the MRAA in 2020, Cuvala has raised the bar with her tireless efforts to connect dealers with MRAA’s resources. She guided the implementation of new MRAA Membership satisfaction surveys, which allow the association to better understand member needs and to enhance retention and membership recruitment. She has been successful with many aspects of membership, but a particularly notable statistic is that she has grown MRAA Membership by 47 percent!

In her new Director of Membership role, Cuvala leads MRAA’s Membership team, maintaining responsibility for developing and executing strategies to advance all aspects of MRAA’s Membership program.

Stevie Cook headshot
Stevie Cook

Stevie Cook – Certification Specialist
In less than two years with the MRAA, Stevie Cook has played a vital role in the expansion of the MRAA Dealership Certification Program by forming strong relationships with participating dealerships. She has helped to execute a successful 7-week Certification Webinar Series to enhance communication and streamline dealership requirements, delivering a culture of accountability every step of the way.

In her new role as Certification Specialist, Cook takes the lead on administering the Certified Dealership Program, including oversight of participant recruitment and retention and administration and marketing, while contributing to program development.   

MRAA blog author Mike Davin, Vice President of Business Planning, shown outside MRAA HQ in Minnesota
MIke Davin

Mike Davin – Vice President of Industry Relations
Davin has been with MRAA since January of 2019. He has helped launch Dealer Week, overseen MRAA’s brand, and managed internal business planning while at MRAA. Now he takes on a more outward-facing role as Vice President of Industry Relations, where he will manage stakeholder relationships and develop strategic alliances within the marine industry.

Stop by the MRAA Solutions Center at the Dealer Week Conference and Expo, Dec. 4-7, in Tampa, Fla., to meet these four individuals who are there to assist in your success.

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.

2 New Hires Strengthen MRAA Dealer Education Team

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 1 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announced today that it added two new employees to its Education Team: Senior Education Developer Bernie DeGraw and Education Coordinator Carolyn Howell.  

“Adding Bernie and Carolyn will help us enhance our educational initiatives and deliver on our mission to fuel dealer success,” said Liz Walz, Vice President of Education. “They both have already made great contributions to our educational products and bring with them unique perspectives and skill sets that will improve our team.”

Bernie DeGraw headshot
Bernie DeGraw

Meet Bernie DeGraw – Senior Education Developer
DeGraw will work closely with the MRAA Education Team to develop new educational opportunities for MRAA Members, leveraging his valuable experience managing a marine dealership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s in School Counseling. DeGraw will maintain his role as part owner of FLX Marine in the Finger Lakes of Central New York. He spends his free time with his family, boating and reading.

“I am incredibly pleased and proud to be a part of the outstanding MRAA Team,” says DeGraw. “It is exciting to be able to lend an additional perspective to the creation of the Education that MRAA provides. I look forward to helping dealers build and continue success, and to supporting the boating industry as a whole.” 

Carolyn Howell
Carolyn Howell

Meet Carolyn Howell – Education Coordinator
Howell is a recent college graduate who joined MRAA after completing an internship with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. She brings a strong editorial and design background to her role, where she will support MRAA’s education efforts on behalf of retailers. Howell is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, boating, fishing and exploring the Twin Cities with her friends.

“I have been deeply impressed by the MRAA’s commitment to fostering the success of the marine industry, listening attentively to the individual voices of boat dealers across the country and helping them grow as businesses that bring people onto the water,” says Howell. “I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of such a passionate and driven team!”

Attendees of MRAA’s Dealer Week Conference and Expo, next week in Tampa, Fla., will have an opportunity to connect in person with Bernie and Carolyn.

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.

Discover Boating Dealer Finder — A Valuable Resource for Potential Boat Buyers

Since its launch last year, Dealer Finder, a tool on DiscoverBoating.com and DiscoverBoating.ca that helps consumers search for and directly connect with thousands of boat dealers across North America, has helped drive more than 33,000 referrals.

Valuable Tool & Resource for Consumers
The U.S. Dealer Finder has seen 50,000 pageviews and 37,000 unique users, and the Canadian Dealer Finder, which debuted over the summer, has seen 28,000 pageviews and 24,000 unique users – indicating the tool is a valuable resource for potential boat buyers.

“As customers seek a more convenient boat shopping experience, we are pleased to see a great deal of people taking advantage of Dealer Finder to enjoy a seamless process,” said Ellen Bradley, chief brand officer for NMMA. “Offering thoughtfully designed tools and multiple entry points at each stage of the consumer journey helps welcome more people into boating and reinforce that Discover Boating is the hub for all their boating needs, which is part of our digital strategy.”

Dealers looking to update their listing or be added to the Find a Boat Dealer locator tool can simply fill out this form, and MRAA will reach out to help make changes.

Discover Boating is powered by NMMA and MRAA.

Bentley Pontoons Joins MRAA as Platinum Partner

MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces that Bentley Pontoons has joined the MRAA as a Platinum Partner Member.  

Through Platinum Partner Membership, Bentley Pontoons supports the MRAA, its programs and the opportunities the association provides the dealer body in an effort to fuel the success of the industry. Commitments from Platinum Partners like Bentley allows for the expansion of MRAA’s offerings and creates a positive, long-term impact for its members.

“Becoming a Platinum Partner with MRAA was an easy decision for us at Bentley,” says Ryan Marcott, Bentley Pontoons President. “Partnering with those who want to improve marine dealer relations and promote healthy long-term results is at the core of what we are all about at Bentley.”

Bentley Pontoons, headquartered in Lexington, S.C., boasts high standards with its internal design, engineering and product development processes that ensures superior quality construction and functionality. Their team of highly skilled, trained, passionate and hard-working individuals pride themselves in creating and crafting an excellent product every day. Bentley invests in the best people and training for their office team of support and customer service people.

“We happily welcome Bentley Pontoons as one of our newest Platinum Partners,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA VP of Business Development. “We look forward to the valuable contributions Bentley will bring to our community as we collectively strive to enhance the boating experience for enthusiasts across the nation.”

About Bentley Pontoons
At Bentley, we’re dedicated to superior quality, craftsmanship and customer service all done with the intent to create the best value in boating. Our dedication starts with our people. For these reasons and more, we choose to make many of our own components, such as furniture, canvas work, tubes, and fence railing. Not only does this give us our own, unique look, with superior style and comfort, but it ensures that it saves you time, aggravation, and money. You get the ultimate luxury, performance, and ride quality at an affordable price. To learn more, visit https://bentleypontoons.com/ or call (+1) 803-391-3000.

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.

Five New Partner Members Join MRAA Ahead of Dealer Week 2023

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 30, 2023 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces the addition of five new Partner Members in Aqua Finance, ATILUS, CBIZ, Safer Boater, and The Accounting Guys.

MRAA Partner Member logo in white square

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. Partner support allows the Association to expand its offerings and create a positive, long-term impact on MRAA members’ business.

  • Aqua Finance (Wausau, Wis.) helps dealers, contractors and retailers convert more prospects into purchasers by offering timely, high-quality and personalized service.
  • ATILUS (Fort Myers, Fla.) is a digital agency that helps boat dealers, boat clubs, boat rental companies and other marine industry businesses harness the power of the web to get more sales.
  • CBIZ (Columbia, Md.) delivers top-level financial and benefits and insurance services to organizations of all sizes by providing national-caliber expertise combined with highly personalized service.
  • Safer Boater (North Charleston, S.C.) offers a program designed to empower new boaters through skill and safety training classes in order to feel more comfortable on the water.
  • The Accounting Guys (Provo, Utah) empowers small- to medium-sized companies to succeed in their business pursuits by offering a wide range of accounting services from tax filing to in-depth financial planning.

“As the MRAA continues to expand its educational offerings, we are excited to see how these new Partner Members, in conjunction with MRAA’s mission, will work to improve the businesses of our dealer members,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA Vice President of Business Development.

Dealer members are encouraged to explore the list of companies that actively support the MRAA across four partnership levels. View the complete list.

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.