• Two Dealer Week educators to deliver soul-stirring keynotes.
Imagine this. You put on baseball catching gear and squat down on your toes 60 feet 6 inches away from a hard-throwing pitcher on a mound of dirt. Your goal is catching his 102-mph fastball and arsenal of sliding and sinking pitches while framing each one to get the desired “strike” call! Yes, your role is to overcome the obstacle in front of you (the hitter). Sounds easy, right?!
The author pitching in a 50+ baseball league in Minnesota. Photo by Tom Anderson.
Chances are you don’t know what it’s like to wear catcher’s gear with a facemask. But you do share their desire to overcome challenges and win. Some of you may be baseball fans; others not. However, two terms even a casual fan has heard referenced are “opener” and “closer.” Having a substantial opener and a dominant closer can help you win and win frequently.
That’s our goal when it comes to serving you at Dealer Week. No, this isn’t a baseball blog. It is a blog about you receiving a robust education from knowledgeable educators and doing your absolute best to capture the valuable insights and tools they’re throwing you to help you improve and grow so you can win as an individual and as a team.
The Closer Let’s first talk about the closer. In baseball, a closer is the pitcher who comes into the game when the leading team needs to get an out to preserve the victory. When the pitcher succeeds, they earn a save, and the whole team wins. The all-time Major League Baseball saves leader is Mariano Rivera, the New York Yankees legend and MLB Hall of Famer with 652 saves. Only two pitchers in history have more than 600 saves!
Dan Thurmon, Dealer Week 2023 Closing Keynote
Regardless of their stats, the thing that makes these end-game pitchers so formidable is their ability to outlast, outgun and outwit the competition in the most distressing situations. They often shut the door on their team’s anxiety and their opponent, literally saving the game for their organization.
For Dealer Week 2023, we have our own closer. The Dealer Week Closing Ceremony on Dec. 7 will feature Dan Thurmon. Dan is as impressive as they come, a speaker who delivers with energy and artistry. While his session “Positive Chaos: The Path to More Certainty & Prosperity” could easily be a title for an elite pitcher’s autobiography, it’s designed to help marine dealers like you improve. Much like a stellar pitcher who has mastered the ability to throw the ball with impeccable skill, dealers will discover how to adopt “momentum, trajectory and alignment” as metrics for growth.
This is one closing ceremony and performance you don’t want to miss.
The Opener An opener is a relatively new term in baseball. Bob McCann’s hometown team, the Tampa Bay Rays, made it popular by using an “opener” to begin the game instead of using an traditional starting pitcher. It was usually someone they trusted to give it their all, even if limited to only a few innings of work. Should they do their job effectively, they will get out the other team’s top hitters and let the next pitcher in line continue what they started.
Ryan Estis, Dealer Week 2023 Opening Keynote
It just so happens that for Dealer Week 2023 in Tampa, we also have our own opener in Ryan Estis. His brilliant session, titled “Adapt & Thrive: Leading Growth in the New Economy,” will kick things off Tuesday, Dec. 5. While Ryan will not try to get you to strike out or hit into a double play, he will strike a few chords of inspiration as he leads you to double down your efforts to face change and transform your dealership for future success by implementing the right mindset.
Tossing a Gem: Dealer Week Education As you can see, having an opener and a closer makes perfect sense for baseball teams, much like it does for Dealer Week.
These two elite speakers strongly complement our impressive list of education hosts and subject matter experts who are also tossing pro-level insights to you and your fellow Dealer Week attendees. When you bookend the world-class education offered at our four-day annual conference with these two poignant speakers, it will have lasting effects on you and the entire dealer community that push our industry to reflect, recalibrate and grow.
Can’t make it to Dealer Week in Tampa? Learn more about participating in Dealer Week Online.
On November 9, the Congressional Boating Caucus hosted a briefing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed expansion of the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. The briefing outlined how the proposal would devastate the recreational boating and fishing industries on the Atlantic coast and the communities that depend on them.
Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) addressed the audience at the recent briefing in the NOAA Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.
Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) addressed the audience, reiterating his opposition to NOAA’s proposed rule and support for finding technology-based solutions that can protect the right whale without harming the economies of coastal communities.
The panel, moderated by National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Vice President of Government Relations Callie Hoyt, featured American Sportfishing Association’s Atlantic Fisheries Policy Director, Mike Waine, and Captain Mike Kennedy, Director of Recreation at the Sea Island Company, who discussed the severity and economic impact of the proposed rule and the faulty assumptions behind it.
Captain Kennedy said that the 10-knot speed restriction will functionally close his business, as it would be unsafe to operate at those speeds offshore. Kennedy focused on the downstream impact on coastal communities, saying closing recreational boating and fishing opportunities for all or part of the year will harm dealers, mechanics and other businesses that directly serve those industries along the coast. While they will immediately feel the impact of NOAA’s proposed rule, it won’t be limited to boating. Hotels, restaurants and other tourism-supporting small businesses will suffer as boaters and anglers are locked out of coastal waters.
The hearing was moderated by Callie Hoyt, NMMA Vice President of Government Relations and included Mike Waine, American Sportfishing Association’s Atlantic Fisheries Policy Director, and Captain Mike Kennedy, Director of Recreation at the Sea Island Company (screen).
The briefing pointed out that NOAA made faulty assumptions to support its proposed rule. NOAA does not distinguish between a 35-foot boat, which may only draft a few feet, and huge commercial shipping vessels, which draft 45 feet. NOAA also wildly underestimated the number of vessels impacted and the economic impact of the rule. Waine clarified that existing data shows that the chances of recreational vessels between 35 and 65 feet striking a right whale is extremely unlikely. The biggest threat is from vessels more than 260 feet.
Discussion also included Congress’ options to intercede should NOAA decide to finalize the rule as proposed. It is expected to be issued before the end of 2023. The Protecting Whales, Human Safety and the Economy Act of 2023, H.R. 4323, introduced by Rep. Carter (R-GA) and Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK), would strip NOAA of funding for implementing the proposed rule.
You can tell Congress to support the bill on boatingunited.org. Back in September, NOAA announced that it would use $82 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to explore technologies to monitor, track and detect whales to prevent strikes. NOAA will hold for the public an in-person and virtual technology workshop March 5 and 6 in Arlington, Va., to discuss technology to prevent whale strikes. To attend the workshop, you must pre-register here.
• Consumer Boat Show Lineup Spans 10 Major Markets Across the U.S.
• Attracts and Engages Current Boaters and Next-Gen Customers
Discover Boating® announced today its lineup of 2024 consumer boat and sport shows. Kicking off in January and extending through the fall, Discover Boating boat shows, in partnership with Progressive Insurance®, will take place in 10 markets throughout the country, including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami with a focus on attracting both current boaters and next-gen customers through floorplan expansions, enhancements to the Discover Boating boat show experience and Boat Finder upgrades.
Image provided by Discover Boating
To engage current boaters and bring in new customers, plans for 2024 Discover Boating boat shows include an increase in floorplans and exhibitors with more boats and brands to shop as inventory returns. Show visitors will also find enhancements to educational components and activations, such as the Discover Boating Beach Club, to feel immersed in the boating lifestyle. The Beach Club, which launched in 2023 at Discover Boating’s Chicago and New York shows, is expanding to serve other markets, including New England and Atlantic City. Other boat shows will have similar boating lifestyle activations, such as the Lake Life Lounge in Atlanta, featuring a host of activities, celebrity appearances, premium food and beverage options, and daily demonstrations.
“To meet the needs of and excite the next generation of boaters while engaging current customers, Discover Boating continues to evolve and invest in its boat shows through a variety of consumer touchpoints and experiences,” said Jennifer Thompson, senior vice president of boat shows for NMMA. “New boater education and immersive show features, such as the Discover Boating Beach Club, provide attendees the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and fun of boating and ultimately help bring more boaters into the market.”
Furthering Discover Boating’s mission to meet the needs of every boater and potential boat buyer, Boat Finder, which launched across 2023 Discover Boating boat show websites, empowers customers to begin the boat-shopping process weeks ahead of the show they plan to attend. The 2024 Boat Finder features a new design and layout to drive more shoppers to boat brands and dealers. Contact BoatFinder@nmma.org to learn more.
The 2024 Discover Boating boat show schedule is as follows:
Notably, the 2024 Discover Boating® New England Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive Insurance®, is moving from its traditional February President’s Day weekend timeframe to Jan. 10–14, 2024. A comprehensive marketing campaign around new date awareness launched in October. NMMA anticipates the move to be temporary with the boat show returning to its February date pattern in 2025. Following a thorough market analysis, there are no plans for a 2024 Discover Boating Nashville Boat Show and NMMA will explore future opportunities in the Nashville market.
There are a lot of reasons to attend MRAA’s Dealer Week Conference and Expo (Dec. 4-7, Tampa, Fla.), but the overall benefit of spending time away — focused on your improvement — is what you really need to boost your business in the year ahead.
Here are 20 Reasons to Attend Dealer Week
The Industry Celebration. Music, dancing, drinks, 1950s costumes and fun — all included with your registration. You can miss it!
The closing keynote. (ABOVE)It’s going to be entertaining, fun and chaotic — in a good way. Plan to stay for it and get one last fill of inspiration to take back to your dealership!
The Expo Hall. 150 exhibitors with services and products to help you succeed in 2024.
The AI platform. See the MRAA’s exciting new technology in person. We’ve bundled up year of expertise and education into one easy-to-use tool.
The weather. If you’re coming from the north, a nice shot of Florida sun will do you some good.
The networking. Hundreds of other dealers and industry professionals dealing with the same issues you are.
The Leadership Pathway. Six sessions of great education, all focused on leadership. Hosted by Marcus Sheridan.
The Sherri. If you know Sherri, you love her. If not, stop by the MRAA Solutions Center (booth No. 523 ) to meet our Membership Manager – and learn how to get the most out of your membership.
The Service & Parts Pathway. Six sessions of great education, all focused on service and parts. Hosted by Valerie Ziebron.
The Opening Keynote. Always a highlight, and Ryan Estis will bring the energy, with a timely presentation on growing your business in a new economy.
The Fun Run. Exercise and camaraderie with a casual run around downtown Tampa.
November 6, 2023 – Performance Brokerage Services, the leader in dealership buy-sell activity, announces the sale of Master Marine and Outdoor Living RV in San Antonio, Texas to Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers.
Performance Brokerage Services, North America’s highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Master Marine and Outdoor Living RV in San Antonio, Texas to Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers.
Master Marine and Outdoor Living RV, two dealerships located side-by-side in San Antonio, Texas, were both owned by George Noyes. Master Marine was established in 1997 and has been at its current location since 2004. The dealership is the longest established marine dealership in San Antonio and is one of the oldest Suzuki dealers in Texas. Outdoor Living RV was established in 2013.
Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of over 300 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. In 2022, the company consummated 92 transactions, marking a record-breaking year. Jesse Stopnitzky, Co-Owner and Director of the RV & Marine Divisions for Performance Brokerage Services and Jon Couwenberg, Partner, were the exclusive advisors for this transaction.
Jon Couwenberg commented, “It was an absolute pleasure to represent George Noyes in the sale of his business. In these life-changing events, it is often important to our clients that the buyer maintains their legacy and company culture. We are confident that Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers will add upon all that George has built over 25 years. Working with two first-class companies, we were able to maintain good faith negotiations and enjoy a seamless transaction. We appreciate George entrusting our firm with managing the highly delicate sale of his business and wish the Hoover family much success with their acquisition.”
Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers was established in 1987 and has been family-owned and operated for 36 years. With over a dozen dealership locations spanning across Texas, they have grown to become one of Texas’ largest RV dealership groups in the country.
Master Marine and Outdoor Living RV will both remain at their current locations on West Loop 1604 North in San Antonio, Texas.
MRAA’s Dealer Week is about learning, growing and educating your dealership team for even more success in the year ahead. However, it’s also about having fun, seeing friends, making new connections and celebrating another year of being part of the greatest industry ever!
Last year in Austin, Texas, the MRAA held a 1970s-themed Industry Celebration in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. You can review the photos capturing the madness from that shindig here.
During the successful event, we heard from a few attendees who wished they would have known sooner that they could dress in costume for the event. As much as our team thought we shared the message, not everyone heard it. Even so, many of our groovy guests dressed for ’70s success. We all had a blast.
The 2022 Dealer Week Industry Celebration party in Austin was super groovy.
And we plan to do so again at Dealer Week 2023, Dec. 4-7, in Tampa, Fla.
Don’t Flip Your Wig, But … This year’s Dealer Week Industry Celebration will help us all “push the boat out” on another successful boating season with music, food, drinks and fun! Free for all registered attendees (dealers and exhibitors), the event in Tampa is again made possible by Kicker Marine Audio, celebrating its 50th Anniversary!
Yes, you heard that correctly, bucko! It’s time to dig out some old clothes from your mom’s attic, hit the thrift store or shop online to find your perfect 1950s getup. You’re encouraged to dress up because there’s an outfit contest, prizes and more. Rumor has it that even Matt Gruhn, MRAA President (see above left in photo), will be wearing a costume again.
Don’t know what to wear? We got you! 21 Costume Ideas: Life, Music & Movie Inspiration
White T-shirt, black comb and jeans.
Poodle skirt.
Bowling shirt.
Letter jacket.
Leather jacket.
Housewife.
Flight attendant.
Car hop.
Doo Wop.
Hot-Rodder.
Rockabilly.
James Dean.
Young Elvis.
Buddy Holly.
Marilyn Monroe.
Happy Days.
Laverne & Shirley.
Leave it to Beaver.
I love Lucy.
Grease.
The Outsiders.
I’ll Clue You – Industry Celebration Details Prepare to be entertained and cut a rug at Splitsville, in downtown Tampa, to the cool sounds of Phase5. Along with 10-pin bowling, ping pong, billiards and darts, we’ve added an on-site photo booth, drinks and grub to keep things hoppin’!
• Minnesota dealership creates a boat drop-off lot for its storage and winterization customers
No one would fault a boat dealer if they chose to maintain the status quo during the seasonal shift from summer to fall, where demand for their Service Department’s time is at its maximum. Demand for storage and winterizing customers’ vessels peaks at this time. That’s one of the many in-season busy times for any dealership, but it is a focal point for a dealer in the northland.
Starting a new service concept can be challenging, especially when your store is currently undergoing a high-dollar expansion to double the showroom size and bring your Parts & Accessories Department in-house. However, J & K Marine Owner Kevin Tinjum’s idea to build a boat drop-off lot was an absolute necessity. They needed more space at his Detroit Lakes, Minn., facility to improve boat maneuverability.
“Each spring, as we get storage units out, we were not able to bring all the boats out that we needed to,” explained Tinjum.
It was an inconvenience for his customers and a frustration for his service team. And, without enough space to park the units, it created a proverbial logjam of boats. To avoid that same scenario, Tinjum searched for a way to conquer their storage hurdle. He said an MRAA video that showed a dealer using a QR code during the pandemic for contactless service drop-offs inspired their idea.
Give Customers What They Want Having an idea and making it a reality are two different things. It took J & K Marine, a seven-location Certified Dealership, about five years from the initial concept to complete its new storage lot. “We purchased the land in the Spring of 2021,” explained Tinjum. “Two and half years later, we completed the project.”
When a customer scans the QR code, they arrive at the J & K Marine website and the Storage Request form.
That completed project resides on a frontage road near the Detroit Lakes dealership. The fenced lot is well-marked with temporary signage in the form of banners, yard signs and blue beach wings with the words “boat parking” printed in white. Upon arrival to the lot, customers scan a QR code that takes them to the service landing page.
“The QR code goes directly to the landing page on our website for a ‘storage request’ form,” explained Tinjum. “Submitting the form sends an email to our service/storage department. Our service manager and service writer see the emails arrive and then contact the customer to write a storage agreement.” After completing the form, customers select an open spot to park their boat for storage among the available four rows.
From there, J & K Marine handles the essential follow-up and relationship nurturing to produce lasting engagement and happier customers. Typically, this is within a few hours, depending on the day and the drop-off time. However, follow-up could take longer (a day or two) if a customer drops off their boat late Saturday evening, for example.
Step-by-Step Boat Drop-Off Process:
Customers arrive at the drop-off lot with their boat.
Customers open an on-site mailbox containing instruction flyers.
They then scan the QR code with their smartphone.
Fill out the boat storage/winterization form.
Include name, phone number, boat make and row (e.g.: Row 2) to complete the provided customer boat tag and attach it to the boat to help J&K identify their vessel.
Depart the lot without their boat and trailer.
Await follow-up from J & K Marine Service Writer/Service Manager to write a complete service agreement.
Improving CX & Help Your Service Department The lot has helped improve customer experience (CX) by alleviating confusion about where customers should park their boats and helping J & K Marine catch up to spring demands at storage pickup. Tinjum says the goal is to have an empty lot by winter. They currently store customer boats indoors, but the new lot could help the Service Department adjust storage.
“Having this lot will offer us the flexibility to put shrink-wrapped boats there if the need arises to expand beyond our indoor capacity in the future,” noted Tinjum.
Overall, the new storage process has had a positive response from most customers because of the simplified drop-off process and the added convenience of after-hours access. However, a few have found it difficult because of the reCAPTCHA requirements within the QR code that the need to answer correctly to identify as a human and not a robot. It’s simple for customers with experience but more challenging for those who are experiencing it for the first time on a phone.
There has also been a slight issue with how customers park their boats within the lot. It is not always in an organized fashion or flawless, which has required Tinjum’s team to correct the row to maintain available parking spots.
“We are working through some complications,” said Tinjum. “We understood there would be a learning curve and that it would take a year or two for the process to become ‘normal’ to our customers. For parking fixes, we use Friday afternoon, to clean up a row to improve parking for other customers.”
This fix is small compared to the larger boat drop-off and chaos that arose when customers dropped off their boats at the dealership without and appointment or at odd hours and blocked the driveways, service lot and service bay doors. The drop-off lot has helped to reduce the staff’s stress in this situation.
Although the lot should improve convenience for customers and J & K Marine’s service department, it also needs to offer a safe environment for the people and boats parked there due to the available 24/7 access. J & K Marine surrounded the lot with chain link fencing and added an automatic gate for protection.
“Our customers will be able to open the gate with a code set specifically for them.” Said Tinjum. “Cameras will be installed in the spring of 2024. We will also be installing a camera security system.”
This new drop-off storage system, automation and round-the-clock access should also relieve some the stress that the service team has to perform during its busy season. When customers aren’t limited to a certain set of hours or access to staff, it can also alleviate the demands on dealers who are experiencing workforce shortages. Customers can drop off boats on their time schedule in a designated area, removing your team from the equation thanks to the automated setup.
Get Customers on the Water Faster! Tinjum expects the spring and “summarization season” to be a significant change because the lot will allow them to pull most boats out of storage and put them in specific parking spots within the lot. He also hopes to eventually have the QR code, form and drop-off dialed in for service appointment scheduling, but will focus on boat storage for now.
“We are looking forward to not having to tell customers their boat is behind many others and we are not able to get it out for a week or two,” he said.
A week or two without a boat can feel like an eternity for an enthusiast. In Northern Minnesota, giving customers two extra weeks to go boating is a BIG win!
Let me know if your dealership has made any innovative changes to improving your boat storage or service offerings for customers. Email me at jerrod@mraa.com.
Now is the time to get your brands listed among competitors in Discover Boating’s Boat Finder ahead of the 2024 boat show season—putting your boats in front of potential buyers before, during and after the show. The deadline for uploading boat information is Friday, Nov. 17.
This free tool, exclusive to Discover Boating boat show brands, features a new design and layout to drive more shoppers to boat brands and dealers. As part of this new design, all participating boat brands will receive a custom listing for each of the boat models they enter, providing an additional way to market new models to thousands of boat shoppers.
Don’t miss the boat! More than 162,000 people engaged with Boat Finder in their search to buy a new boat in 2023. The average user viewed more than 53 boat models and spent an average of four and a half minutes shopping—nearly five times industry averages.
4 Reasons Boat Shoppers Use Discover Boating’s Boat Finder
Efficiently isolate brands and models that match their specific needs to get to their desired product faster.
Take a deep dive into boat models with helpful descriptions, specs, and features.
Connect directly to the boat brand website and view complete model information.
Compare and contrast boat brands and types as they prepare to shop the show and visit dealers.
Adding or updating your boat info is easy with Boat Finder’s data portal system:
Current Boat Finder participants will receive an email from the NMMA Team including a custom URL to access the Data Portal and instructions. The system makes it easy to clone existing boat models and update with the current model year and pricing. If you have NOT received an e-mail with your dedicated link, please reach out to BoatFinder@nmma.org.
Note: Inputting data is easier than ever this year with fewer specs to input, helping to encourage more shoppers to click off to brand sites.
New to Boat Finder? Contact BoatFinder@nmma.org, and someone from the team will be in touch to help you get started.
To take advantage of Discover Boating Boat Finder, which is being promoted to hundreds of thousands of boating enthusiasts ahead of the 2024 winter boat show season, exhibiting brands must ensure they are represented at a Discover Boating boat or sportshow and update their boat data to reflect current model year and pricing. The deadline for uploading boat information is Friday, Nov. 17.
Discover Boating boat and sport shows kick off in January across 10 major markets across the country including New York, Miami, Chicago and Atlanta.
My high school geography teacher had several quirky expressions he used to say to help a student realize their effort was not meeting his expectations. The one he used most often was, “There are two kinds of people in the world, the quick and the dead.” Typically, his message delivery included a Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson eyebrow raise and a classroom full of teenagers rolling their eyes. Nearly the entire room erroneously viewed his message as something a cranky teacher would say. While he aimed to inspire the person to work harder, be faster and prosper, the class saw it as a playful, unamusing old-man triviality.
You see, he was an educator and had his way of inspiring his students to learn better. As an adult, it’s much simpler to see this as an analogy to an old west gunfight: the winner is quick; the loser is, well, you get the idea. And you never want to be the slower one in this scenario!
Let’s be serious, though. Remaining stagnant is no longer an option in an ever-changing, fast-paced world. We know reading books makes a difference in our lives and career trajectory. Listening to podcasts and attending webinars is also beneficial for growth and increasing knowledge. Live events, which appeared ruined in 2020-2021, have rebounded tremendously to offer in-person education to help us improve, polish and develop our skills in whatever role we serve or hope to fulfill, personally and professionally.
MRAA’s Dealer Week is a survivor in and of itself. It began as a rebranded and all-new industry conference five years ago but became an online-only event during the height of the COVID pandemic. The MRAA tookDealer Week to Texas for the first time in 2021 as a hybrid event, offering an in-person event in December and online learning with live interactions in January 2022. Last year, Dealer Week — which included pathway session recordings online on MRAATraining.com — hosted the first-ever manufacturer dealer meeting on-site andset attendance records.
These examples show you that even the MRAA has had to adapt Dealer Week to meet our customers where they are and withstand economic pressures outside our control. Remember, it is better to be quick than the alternative! And this year, Dealer Week returns to Florida for the first time since the inaugural 2019 event. The 2023 conference, featuring 18 on-site dock slip, has already established new records for the number of exhibitors and total Exhibit Hall showroom space coverage. Along with offering three different education pathways and 16 subject matter experts and educators, the Tampa event, Dec. 4-7, will host two on-site dealer meetings.
It’s time to meet the intellectual crew of subject matter experts, leaders and educators who comprise Dealer Week’s incomparable education. They are leaders and industry influencers who will provide you and your team with implementable solutions to improve your search for wisdom and growth.
Leadership Pathway Marcus Sheridan: Marcus — a Dealer Week-attendee favorite — was named “One of 20 Speakers You Don’t Want to Miss” by Forbes. The Pathway Host is also an established author and owns a digital sales and marketing company and a charter fishing business. He’s a savvy business leader with remarkable motivation and forethought.
John Spader: A South Dakota resident and President of Spader Business Management, John is well-versed in business management, offering training and sharing his knowledge in his Total Management Workshop, Spader 20 Group events and various speaking and writing engagements. He is as sharp-witted and insightful as they come.
Dave Newell: Dave empowers leaders to find personal and company-wide fulfillment, helping them align the misaligned. His coaching abilities and organizational development expertise help build foundations for success. He’s an authentic obstacle crusher!
Paige Wittman
Kurt von Ahnen: An author, speaker and agency owner with a deep connection to marine, automotive and powersports, Kurt specializes in leadership and personal and business development. He is so fast that he got it done yesterday!
Paige Wittman: A skilled marketing, sales and retail expert, Paige helps dealers and brands generate lasting and profitable customer experiences. She is instinctual and nimble.
Sales & Marketing Pathway Bob McCann: Pathway Host and MRAA Lead Certification Consultant Bob trusts in processes, proactive solutions and cultivating winning cultures with high accountability. He is an astute highflier and educator.
Ryan Estis: Opening Keynote Speaker and session expert, Ryan has looked under the hood of the best global companies to learn why they are so successful. His comprehensive experience helps guide clients in their effort to change, grow and perform at a higher level. Meetings & Conventions magazine called him one of the “the best keynote speakers ever heard.” He is energetic, attentive and a true conductor of success.
Jim Million: With nearly 5 decades of experience, Jim has a diverse background with hands-on business knowledge and technical proficiency for teaching and training. He specializes in helping businesses educate, instruct and develop the personal and company-wide skills necessary to achieve a higher level. Jim is a training catalyst and a skillful go-getter.
Danny Decker
Danny Decker: As an author, speaker and business owner, Danny uses his speaking, writing and podcasts to educate businesses and their employees about modern marketing tactics. He is a well-honed marketing guru with an entrepreneurial mind.
Jamison Carrier: A proven industry leader highly adept in team building and training, Jamison has worked with numerous high-performing dealerships. He is a kinetic guide to mastery.
Dom Zappia: Vice President of Operations for Relentless Dealer Services, Dom excels at educating and leading others within the RV, marine, and automotive industries. He is a razor-sharp F&I business scholar. Service & Parts Pathway Valerie Ziebron: From best practices to proactive solutions to improve business, Valerie is a marine industry leader, guide and educator. Along with being the Service & Part Pathway host, she is also a session speaker who continues to provide invaluable insight to help dealers of all sizes improve daily. Valerie is a genuine guide, visionary and service department authority.
Valerie Ziebron
Steve Jones: With three decades of marine and powersports industry experience, Steve (A current Certification Consultant for MRAA) is a skilled speaker and workshop facilitator, helping to educate business leaders and managers. He is a well-versed and engaged trainer.
Dixie Morrow:Dixie has specialized in training and education for 20+ years, helping dealers improve their business. She joined PCLM Business Solutions as a partner to continue working in the industry. Dixie is a successful solutions-driven instructor.
Paula Crosbie: Founder of PCLM Business Solutions, Paula has spent over 20 years helping dealer customers find more success through training and education. She is a formative influencer of results.
Closing Keynote Dan Thurman: Dan, the Dealer Week 2024 Closing Keynote Speaker, is a renowned speaker, author, researcher and performer. He delivers interactive, experiential and high-impact lessons about confidently excelling despite challenges to produce attractive outcomes. Dan is a highly talented, dynamic and vigorous educator.
Exhibitors and Peers When you add these 16 intellectual speakers to the combined wisdom found on the Dealer Week Expo Hall floor — comprised of nearly 150 exhibitors, numerous media, 20-plus MRAA staff and the total dealership personnel in attendance — you understand the true potential to learn and grow as a team and as an industry.
Dealer Week provides attendees with one-on-one opportunities to learn from industry spearheads in the form of peers, business pros and boating champions through roundtable discussions, classroom education and networking opportunities. The data, proficiency and wisdom at the MRAA conference offers an unequaled professional experience for everyone who attends. Dealer Week is THE educational chance to understand the current market conditions and develop well-informed plans to control your future decisions.
Planning for 2024 It’s one thing to be quick and an entirely different issue to be foolish. Quick decisions, using insight and rationale, keep you going. Reckless decisions can do great harm. Knowing the difference helps you understand the challenges you’ll face in 2024. The inventory surpluses, inflation, the upcoming Presidential election and ongoing consumer hesitancy to spend will push some businesses to the absolute limit and cause a few hasty choices.
That’s why it’s crucial to continue to immerse yourself in learning and expose as much of your team as possible to the education, best practices and proven tactics for success so you can act swiftly and do so with the cool, calm and collected demeanor of the old gunfighter. Attending Dealer Week, boating’s only event focused on dealer growth, will reinforce your business for more success with the wisdom and the awareness needed to boost your confidence as a leader and help you prepare for 2024.
You still have time to registerfor Dealer Week 2023, a one-of-a-kind industry experience. We offer you and your team three ways to participate:
In-Person Event (Dec. 4-7, Tampa, Fla.)
Online Event (Dec. 11-March 1, 2024)
Combo Event Registration (Attend the live, in-person event in Florida and bring the virtual education back to your dealership for the rest of your team.)
Contact Membership Manager Sherri Cuvalaat 763-333-2420 or click the button below to learn how an MRAA Membership will save money on a Dealer Week registration.
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 6, 2023 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces the addition of Annapolis Yacht Documentation, Brand Lab Gear, Maxima Boats USA and Sea Pro Boats as Partner Members.
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.
Annapolis Yacht Documentation (Annapolis, Md.) prepares paperwork for refinance, bills of sale, repossession affidavits, priority handling, change of endorsement, vessel name or change of hailing port and more.
Brand Lab Gear (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) enables multiple ways for clients to enhance engagement and brand loyalty with their customers by providing quality branded recreational and outdoor gear.
Maxima Boats USA (Stuart, Fla.) imports an elegant line of Dutch-designed tenders and sloops that display unique styling, quality comfort and high-end performance at a great price.
Sea Pro Boats (Whitmire, S.C.) is one of the fastest growing center console brands in the industry by sparing no expense on the raw materials, hardware and equipment that go into every cleverly designed boat.
“These companies, representing various aspects of the marine industry, bring a rich tapestry of expertise to our growing community,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA Vice President of Business Development, “Their commitment to Partner Membership not only aligns their brands with MRAA’s mission but also supports the growth of the marine industry.”
Dealer members are encouraged to explore the list of companies that actively support the MRAA across four partnership levels. View the full 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.
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